Bike MS

Well, I survived my first BikeMS ride! It was a wonderful experience.

Inspiring. Motivating. Heartwarming. Challenging. Fun. Worth It.

That's how I would describe it. But, there are many more things I could tell you about my experience.

We woke up bright and early (4:00 am to be exact) to meet the other 2,000 riders at check-in. We took off from Kansas City about 7:30am and rode to Sedalia, Missouri.

We ended up doing the traditional route, which is 80 miles. Not the century as I had hoped for, but 80 miles in one day is a great achievement (at least for me!). Brian did the second day ride back to Kansas City, another 80 miles.

He informed me it rained a lot, so I wouldn't have enjoyed it. He knows me all too well:).

The ride on Saturday was wonderful. We couldn't have asked for better weather and the scenery was breath taking.

Cruising countryside, vast spreads of fields, quaint little towns, farming lands, no buildings or noise, just the sounds of bike tires making contact with the pavement and gear shifting. And the shouts of thank yous and cheers coming from the roadside volunteers and spectators. It definitely made me appreciate the Midwest.

We consumed lots of water, Gatorade, PB&J's, granola bars, raisins, bananas, orange slices, fruit snacks and pickle juice. Yep, pickle juice. It reduces cramps while cycling, so you better stomach it even if you don't like it!

My favorite part was seeing all the riders, spectators and volunteers, and their motivation and spirit to help the MS society. It was so inspiring. Elderly folks who looked like they shouldn't even be riding a bike, larger individuals who were struggling but just kept going, volunteers with MS, small children with more energy than all of us combined, riders and people of all kind with a smile across their face...all there for one cause.

One roadside spectator really tugged at my heart strings. He held a sign that said his 9 year old son had been diagnosed with MS. He stood there on the side of the road, with nobody else, and thanked each and every rider that passed him for riding.

We accomplished this journey with our dear friends, Kathy & Ron. Kathy tends to easily talk me into things I don't think are possible. Such as Triathlon 2009, getting into biking as an amateur, Triathlon 2010 and now the BikeMS.

I can say with confidence that every single thing she has talked me into, I have absolutely loved and appreciated the experience!!

Things will always come and go in our lives. Some things we will remember and some things we won't. What matters is that we live our lives to the fullest, honestly and adventurously. Follow your dreams and achieve things you didn't think were imaginable.

 Getting geared up. 6:30 AM.

 Getting ready to start

 And we're off!

At the first stop

 Spandex is so HOT

Lunch time

One of the professional photos from the website. You got really good later in the day about making sure you smiled for your glamour shot. 

 Eventually, I had fun with it. You know me:)

 We're DONE!

Time for a much deserved brewsky!

Right after our massages.

Glad we did it together honey!