ROBERT COBURN

• Kennebunk, ME
• Age: 46
• Diagnosed with Type 2 Diabetes at age 41

In 2005, when Rob Coburn was diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes, he knew a big change was coming. Unwilling to admit that diet and exercise might help he tried one or the other for a while. Now he is committed to use healthy eating and exercise as his tools to control his diabetes.

He found the Tour de Cure in Maine and quickly realized a Century Ride was going to take more than an old hybrid bike and good intentions. Now an active cyclist he rides outside as much as possible and enjoys early morning training rides to the beach with his Tuesday am group.

“Coming to terms with Type 2 diabetes has been a difficult battle,” he says, “but I want to use what I have learned to educate those in similar situations.”

Rob notes that having a baby last year at 45-years-old was also a major motivating factor in wanting to stay on top of his health and in control of his diabetes. In addition to cycling, Rob is trying to get his 200-year-old farmhouse back in shape and spending time with his wife Wendy and their young son Stephen.