The rainy weather did not stop the "Ride to the Cure" from biking all across our area.

Bikers started at Riverside Park in La Crosse, then made their way through Minnesota, to Iowa and then back to La Crosse.

The ride helps support the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation through financial support and spreading awareness of the disease.

Each of the 400 bikers raised between $2,000 and $4,000 for today's ride.  Organizer's estimate this event will raise near $1.5 million towards the cause.  That, along with four other rides nationwide will make the year's total close to $5 million.

This is the second year La Crosse has hosted the event, and organizers seem very satisfied with it as one of their five locations.

"La Crosse was chosen due to an increased interest in a family-friendly, somewhat flatter, but yet beautiful and scenic ride," said Wendy Hanisch, an executive director with Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation.

"A couple of years ago there was a search for that perfect location and we think we found it here in La Crosse," continued Hanisch.

Bob Schrank has been riding for about seven years and rides with Team Type 1, a group of 105 rider.  About half of them have type 1 Diabetes and participate in these events.

"Doing something for JDRF as a person with type 1 diabetes, it helps me give back to an organization that really helps us live healthy lifestyles," said Schrank.

For more information on the Ride to the Cure visit their website at http://ride.jdrf.org.