On Saturday I rode 75 miles to benefit the MS Society! What a great time and a beautiful ride! I am so grateful that I got to be a part of it! I went with my friend Randy who is now a three year veteran of the cause. I know I never would have done it without her support and encouragement! Thanks Randy!
The longest I had ever rode before was 25 miles TWO years ago for the Tour de Cure (a ride to benefit diabetes), so this was quite the jump in challenge! I wasn't able to train for it as I would have liked so I was a little worried about my ability but I've learned that sometimes determination will carry you where ability can't!
Randy and I left on Friday and camped out at the Logan fairgrounds which is where the ride started. There were SO many people it was unbelievable. I had plans to walk around to find my friend/old boss whose family has been riding for years in honor of his wife who has MS. When we pulled in I realized that it was unlikely that we would find him - a needle in a haystack! As we drove through the fairgrounds trying to find a place we could set up our tent there was a small opening. We pulled in to ask the guy if we can squeeze in and guess who it is! Yep, my friend/old boss! His family and friends graciously let us share their site and it was great to catch up! Well, except for the horror riding stories they shared that just about scared me out of doing the ride! I did get some great tips though!
Anyway, Saturday morning the ride started at 7:00 am and we got started around 7:30 thanks to a vicious bee that flew into our tent and attacked Randy just seconds after she told me she was an accident magnet! Ironic!
They had several rest stops along the way with all kinds of refreshments to keep you nourished and hydrated during the ride and a lunch stop. The suppot that this ride has is amazing! Besides all of the rest stops "SAG Wagons" drive up and down the course in case there are any riders in need of mechanical or medical help. The local law enforcement also cruised the course to make sure all was safe!
We finally made it to the finish line around 2:30. The last ten miles were brutal for me. I realized today that I rode without taking any breaks after the the lunch stop which is actually where the ride got difficult - more hills than the rest of the ride and about 30 miles long (I think!) and it was HOT! That is a mistake I won't make next year! Luckily, a train invited me to join and I drafted the rest of the way! Actually, luck had nothing to do with it - I was worried I wasn't going to make it - said a quick prayer that I would and literally two seconds later this team rode by and said they were maintaining 16 mph if I wanted to join! How perfect!
All in all, what a fabulous experience! Really the hardest part was being away from my family overnight! But I'm so grateful I did it, that I made it and that I had so much support! Thanks again to all who donated. Really, I couldn't have done it without you. If I ever would have considered giving up I would have thought about how much you gave and that would have kept me going!
