Cycling with Diabetes - Interview with Cassi Richmond

At the Trek Women’s Summit, I noticed that one of my fellow advocates had an insulin pump tucked under her jersey. When I found out that she loved to ride long distances, I was impressed. Managing Type 1 Diabetes can be a challenge but Cassi Richmond proves that your limits are only where you choose to set them.

Cassi was an active young woman when she was diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes. Unlike Type 2 Diabetes where the body still produces insulin but is unable to use it effectively, Type 1 Diabetes is an auto-immune disease that results in a complete lack of insulin production. While Type 2 Diabetes can often be controlled or even cured with diet and exercise, Type 1 Diabetics are insulin dependent for the remainder of their lives.

Type 1 Diabetics requires a whole lifestyle adaptation. If the individual does not receive their insulin, the result will be death.

In this interview Cassi shares her story of being diagnosed as a teenager, being determined to live life on her terms with Type 1 Diabetes, and how she manages her disease while out on a ride. She gets into the nitty gritty of the amount of insulin she’s learned to take, which snacks work for her, how she stores them on her bike, and how she prepares for any emergencies.

She also shares invaluable tips for ride leaders on how to make sure a rider with diabetes feels comfortable while watching for any signs of distress.

Watch Cassi’s video for all of her insights and to hear her story and find out more about her race series at Goldilocks Events