DENNIS VOORHEES



  • Sayre, PA
  • Age: 62
  • Diagnosed with Type 2 Diabetes at age 54

CAREER HIGHLIGHTS


  • Team Type 2 RAAM team 2009
  • Team Type 2 RAAM team 2010
  • Silver medal 2010 4 man team division Calvins Challenge, Springfield, Ohio
  • Second Place 56-60 age division Chemung County Senior Games 2009, 2010
  • Finisher 300k Brevet Melbourne Florida February 2010
  • Over 70,000 cycling miles from 1982 to present.

MEET DENNIS VORHEES


Tell us about your diagnosis with diabetes.

I was attempting a 200 mile bike ride and passed up lunch after the first 100 miles, resulting in a really bad “Wall”. After a couple hours of eating small amounts I finally recovered but had to cut the ride short (150 miles). A week later during a routine doctors visit, I mentioned the incident. My doctor ran some quick tests, and then had me come in for an A1C test. My blood sugars were elevated. He wasn’t too concerned, but advised me to watch my diet and keep up the exercise. I was good with the exercise part but the diet thing - it just didn’t work that well. Two years later I went on medications.


How did you feel about diabetes when you were first diagnosed?

It was pretty much expected. My Maternal Grandmother and my Father were developed diabetes in later life. My Grandmother died of complications of diabetes


How do you feel about diabetes now?

It’s something I live with. I know what I should and should not do, and try my best to keep the effects to a minimum. It’s something I know that, if not well managed, could kill me. So I take it seriously, make a good effort to manage it well, and go on living my life. So diabetes and I , we co-exist.


Tell us about your life at home.

I have a good life. I’m recently retired, but work part-time at a fun job. Married to the same wonderful woman for 39 years in 2011. Two Sons and Twin Grandchildren that are, without a doubt, the most beautiful children ever!


Why is exercise and competition a part of your life?

Because I really love it. Cycling, specifically has come to occupy a privileged place in my mind and heart. I got hooked on it as an adult, almost 30 years ago. I raced and did a few Triathlons in the 80’s, but have ridden more than 70000 miles on bicycles. I’m happiest when I’m rolling down the road on my bike.


What drew you to Team Type 2?

The first captain of Team Type 2, Bob Avritt and I were members of an Online Cycling community called Bike Journal. He was forming a team for RAAM of Persons with Type 2, and posted to the Forum on BikeJournal. I emailed him and submitted a resume. RAAM (Race Across America) has been a fantasy of mine for many years. I never expected to compete in it, but I was hoping one day to be on a crew for one of the teams. This far exceeded my dream. The event drew me to the team, but the team’s mission has kept me there.


Tell us about a personal Achievement that was highly significant to you.

My marriage of 39 years. My wife and I have managed to stay in love that long. We have a strong respect for each other as well. Our two boys have turned out pretty well and we are very proud of them. No, they’re not over achievers, but they are good men with good values. It makes me happy to know that my wife and I, as parents, had something to do with it. Your children are ultimately your legacy.


How about an athletic achievement that you find especially significant?

My two RAAM races in 2009 and 2010. The first year was an amazing experience, but I made the team pretty much by being in the right place at the right time with the right disease. In 2010 I made the team by placing well in a competitive try out. I was a Squad leader in 2010. Both years are something I will never forget. I have the tattoo to remind me ( like I needed one).


If there is one piece of advice you could give to someone who was newly diagnosed with diabetes– what would it be?

Find out as much as you can about the disease. There is lots of information out there knowledge is power. If you don’t want it to kill you make changes to get it in control. The best thing you can do for yourself is get fit. Wither it be cycling, walking, running whatever, find something you like to do and do it.


What has been your favorite TT2 event to date?

It’s really tough to single out one. As I have said RAAM was Amazing. I don’t think I will ever top that experience. The experience of training hard for 2 years to ride across country as fast as you can with 7 other team mates and an 18 person crew with little sleep, through all kinds of terrain and weather is something very few people have ever done. It really can’t be described, it has to be experienced.


Are there any ways that you have found that diabetes has been a benefit in your life?

Oddly yes, diabetes has turned out to provide me benefits along with the challenges. I would probably never had the opportunity to ride RAAM. Additionally I have made wonderful friends with my teammates and our crews. None of which would have happened without diabetes. In that way it has enriched my life. I’m not really blessed to have been afflicted with the disease, but I’ve been blessed because of it.


Are there any areas of your diabetes management that you are currently targeting to improve?

Right now it’s pretty well controlled. It’s been a tough winter weather-wise though and I expect I’ll have some work to do when the weather improves and my activity level increases. I recently changed medications and am trying to evaluate its effect. Since I’ve backed way off on my training my weight has started to climb. I’m working to get back down to a much better level.


Tell us about an athletic goal you have for the short term – say less than one year from now.

One of my cycling goals has been to ride a double century. I was very close last year (191 miles), which actually was an organized 300k event. Everyone asks me why I didn’t do 9 more miles and make it a double. To be honest it didn’t really occur to me then. I was just happy to finish


How about an athletic goal that you have for the longer term?

I want to stay healthy and cycle well into my 80’s, or until I die, whatever comes first! I want to be able to ride with my grandchildren. I want to introduce them to the joys of the outdoors. I met a gentleman several years back who left a strong impression on me. That man did his last cross country ride at age 82 - and brought along his 15 year old grandson. That was profoundly impressive and motivating to me. I want to be like that guy.