Participants in the 11th annual Point Loma Rotary-sponsored Ride the Point Jim Krause Memorial Charity Bicycle Ride on Saturday, Nov. 9 will be riding to support an important cause: pancreatic cancer research.
The event begins and ends at Liberty Station and includes 5-, 25-, and 62-mile scenic routes through Point Loma, Mission Valley, and Mission Bay. This is an all-volunteer event with proceeds staying in the local community to fund pancreatic cancer research at UC San Diego Moores Cancer Center and other Point Loma Rotary Club civic projects.
“Ride the Point was developed and organized entirely by the Point Loma Rotary Club of which Jim was an active member for more than 35 years,” said surviving wife Gale Krause. “The club works tirelessly to put it on, and many people from Point Loma and greater San Diego volunteer each year. Ride the Point attracts a wonderful cadre of sponsors and VIP riders each year that make the event possible.”
“When I first learned that Point Loma Rotary was organizing a bike ride to honor my father and raise money for his doctors, I was beyond grateful,” said Krause’s son Andrew who noted, “The first event was amazing. As someone who had never organized an event, it was shocking to see the level of work and organization that went into it. We never imagined it would grow into the event it is now.”
“Year by year the ride has grown into something that eclipses the original goals,” continued Andrew Krause. “We are still honoring my dad, and funding research by his doctors. However, I have met many others touched by either the tradition of the ride or the goal of fighting pancreatic cancer. The culture of the ride has taken on a life of its own. Smiles are customary and the bond of the community is evident anywhere you look. Each year I can’t wait to participate, and am honored to get to Ride the Point.”
Andrew’s mom Gale concurred that the ride – and its purpose – has attained greater significance over time within the Point Loma community. “When the ride began in 2013, one year after Jim’s passing, I don’t think any of us could have imagined it would be going on in 2024,” Gale said adding, “Our family remains grateful for such an amazing tribute to Jim that is focused on one of his favorite activities: cycling. For many of our cyclists, participating has become an annual tradition. We have people riding who knew Jim, many others with a friend or family member who is battling or has battled pancreatic cancer, and Rotarian cyclists from across the U.S. and as far away as Germany.”
“Ride the Point has no paid staff, and the funds go to pancreatic cancer research being done by Jim’s oncologist and surgical oncologists, Dr. Tony Reid, Dr. Andy Lowy, and Dr. Mike Bouvet, of UCSD Moores Cancer Center,” continued Gale Krause. “We have been touched to have the doctors participate in Ride the Point each year by riding or giving a brief update on pancreatic cancer research. I am confident that Jim would be extremely honored to know that his name is associated with such a wonderful event.”
Ride The Point is all about supporting a good cause, noted Steven Ford, a close friend of Jim’s who said they rode together almost every Saturday for over 10 years. “Pancreatic cancer frequently has no symptoms until it’s progressed beyond hope of effective treatment; frequently it’s a death sentence,” noted Ford adding, “In Jim’s case, he defied the odds and twice rode the Mammoth Century as a cancer survivor. His story is inspirational.”
Ford added Ride the Point is also known for its scenic beauty taking in some otherwise off-limits areas. “The unique part of it, amongst other Southern California rides, is that it’s very neighborhood-oriented,” said Ford adding riders are also permitted to drive on the Naval Base Point Loma, home to Submarine Squadron 11, which is usually off-limits to non-military.
RIDE THE POINT
Longtime Point Loman Jim Krause, an avid cyclist, and a past president of the Point Loma Rotary Club, died in 2012 at age 62 from pancreatic cancer. Krause believed in giving back to the community and loved to cycle, developing friendships he valued greatly in cycling groups. His treasured accomplishments on the bike included century rides with friends such as the Solvang Century, El Tour de Tucson, the Tour de Poway, and the Fiesta Metric Century. Krause is survived by the family he deeply loved: his wife, Gale Jensen Krause, and their three sons Andrew, Mark, and David.
In his memory, PLRC holds an annual Jim Krause Memorial Charity Bike Ride to support pancreatic cancer research. His many friends sponsor the ride to highlight the beautiful cycling areas around Point Loma, promote a healthy lifestyle, and raise awareness of pancreatic cancer. Event proceeds fund local pancreatic cancer research at UC San Diego Moores Cancer Center and other Point Loma Rotary civic projects.
The fourth leading cause of cancer-related deaths in men and women, pancreatic cancer’s overall five-year survival for patients is only 5.6 percent. To address this need, a team of investigators at UC San Diego Moores Cancer Center is dedicated to the development and translation of discoveries that will improve the outcome for patients with pancreatic cancer. For more information, visit ridethepoint.org.
