Staff Writer

A year after Robert Coburn decided to get a grip on his diabetes, he’s taken his commitment to a new level by entering one of the toughest bicycle races in the world.

Coburn, a newcomer to Kennebunk, and seven other members of his bicycling group, Team Type 2, will take part in Race Across America, a 3,000-mile bike ride that starts in Oceanside, Calif., and ends in Annapolis, Md.

“It’s crazy, it’s nuts,” Coburn said.

On Saturday, Coburn’s team left the start line with a goal of making it to Annapolis within seven days.

Unlike many athletes, Coburn didn’t set out with a goal to take part in a race often referred to as the “world’s toughest bicycle race.” Until a year ago, Coburn hadn’t pedaled a bike in more than two decades.

About five years ago Coburn was diagnosed with type 2 diabetes. At first, he said he was in denial and didn’t take proper care of himself.

Diabetes is a disease that affects the way a body breaks down food and uses it for energy. Type 1 diabetes usually occurs before the age of 30 and people with Type 1 diabetes can not produce any insulin – the hormone that regulates energy. Type 2 diabetics can produce some insulin and usually occurs after the age of 30.

“There’s no symptoms, you don’t feel any different,” Coburn said.

He watched his diet and began exercising, but it was the birth of his now 20-month-old son that  motivated him to change his habits.

That motivation led him to healthier eating, watching his blood sugar and finding a way to get in better shape – riding a bike.

About a year ago, Coburn signed up for the Tour de Cure, a bike race that raises money for diabetes research. Coburn signed up for 100 miles and began training.

“It wasn’t training like I’d change my shorts,” Coburn said, of his casual workouts.

Halfway through the race, Coburn fell off his bike and broke his hand. He ended the race near the back of the pack but was able to raise $2,000 for his cause.

Through Tour de Cure Coburn met Phil Southerland, who founded Team Type 1 in 2004 that is comprised of athletes managing type 1 diabetes.

Coburn said he continued training and in February went to the team’s training camp in Georgia, where his race time placed him in the top eight headed to Race Across America.

“The bike is a huge tool for me, it motivates me to train for a big event,” he said.

Coburn said he has lost a lot of weight since the taking up his strict workout schedule, which includes more than 10 hours of biking a week along with other exercise programs, including yoga and a proper diet.

During a recent time trial, Coburn clocked 21 miles per hour.

And as far as the proper diet, Coburn said he might be a little bad while on the road.

“I might eat the whole bagel, instead of just half,” he said.

That is if Coburn has the time to eat a whole bagel. The race is a one-stage race with no stopping day or night. The bikers will cross three mountain ranges and a desert to reach their final destination.

During the race, Coburn’s team will be split in half. Coburn said each racer will bike as hard as he can for 20 minutes before being relieved by another member of the group.

The support cars that hold resting team members, a staff of 15 people including cooks, and supplies also play a crucial role by providing light and dropping off the next biker so the team never has to stop.

More than 250 people will compete in this year’s race, riding solo or in teams of two, four and eight. Since the first race in 1982 more than 1,500 cyclists have competed.

This is only the second year Team Type 2 will take part in the race.

“We’re hoping to close the gap between when we finish and when (Team Type 1) finish,” Coburn said.

Last year Team Type 1 finished in five days. Coburn said the race for him was simply to finish.

 “The way I look at it is I know I haven’t left yet, but I feel like I’ve already won.”

Staff Writer Suzanne Hodgson can be reached at 282-4337, ext. 233.