ms 150

As the date aproached closer and closer on the calendar, I began to wonder just what I was thinking when I signed up for the MS-150. A one hundred and fifty mile bike ride through the heart of Michigan farmland to raise money for multiple sclerosis research.



I noticed something a bit peculiar as I moseyed out of the car in the Lake Fenton High School parking lot. Besides the spandex in rampant, plague proportions, I seemed to be hearing Chris Martin. In fact, every car I passed for the next half hour seemed to be playing "Viva la Vida", obviously the epitome of brain pounding pump-up music.



So as team CRA shoved off to kick MS's ass via one long and draining bike ride, I couldn't help but feel a bit relieved, after all, the hard part, getting up at 4:45, was over.



After about five minutes past I began to realize that my seat really wasn't as comfortable as I remember it being, and that slimy feeling that comes with not showering in the morning became somewhat overwhelming. But hey, only another 73 miles to go!

As the roads became a little larger, the corn fields became more organized, and I started spotting cows all over, I knew we were approaching Michigan State. Looking forward to some excellent dairy products, I peddled a little bit harder. But we finally arrived at the dorm, found our team tent, and then I proceeded to lie on my back in the grass for roughly two hours; time well spent.

I took the opportunity of using the dorm showers in stride, as I walked down the hallway in my towel smelling Irish Spring fresh.

After dinner we headed to a classroom to check out the Tour which made everyone present feel a little depressed. Afterall, if Christian Vandevelde can ride through the Alps at a solid 30 mph for over 120 miles, we can handle a chairity bike ride through the cornfields of central Michigan.

The way back was eerily similar to the way out, except in reverse. Same hills, same turns, same fire burning under my ass. But when we arrived back at Lake Fenton H.S., the party really started. We pulled in to huge applause and there were little kids holding medals out. I was a bit shocked, so when the little girl handed me my modest award and said, "Thank you for riding", I said something stupid like, "Well thanks for thanking me for riding". Dear lord, now that was awkward. So we rode into the parking lot and saw moonbounces and other fun stuff, picked up my bag, and put all my stuff back into the car. Next step: barbeque. Apparently people in fenton like BBQ, becase I was offered "oink, cluck, and moo". "sorry, what was that?". "Barbeque honey, would you like some?". Not wanting to cause any trouble I graciously accepted what I have concluded to be chicken; the cluck, "Thank you very much".

As I exited the school I couldn't help but notice that there was this girl my age who kept looking at and giving me that smile, you know the one. Well, I'm sure I looked my best with dried salt all over my face from 4 hours of sweating and a variation of helmet hair, but apparently she was into that kind of thing. Admitedly, I do need glasses, so my eyesight isn't as good as it used to be, and I also had gone a full two days without seeing any ladies my age, so it is possible that my judgement was a little off and that she really was kinda...not my type. But forget the girl, I had a swim meet to murk, and that's a fact, Jack. We drove home, in a car. Word.