Bike MS 2014

It still doesn't roll off the tongue to call the former MS 150 by its new name, Bike MS.  But since we're being inclusive and want to allow for multiple routes of varying lengths, we needed a new name.  And in fact, this year, T and I rode the MS 200!

Proof of my 200 miles!

If you'll recall the same ride last year, our first day was "hot and fairly miserable."  This year was quite different.  When we set off on Saturday around 7:15, it was 60 degrees and overcast - perfect for riding!  It got up into the low 70s that day, but T did not take my advice to wear sunscreen, and now he is shedding like a snake.

 Here we are, ready to go

Despite that, the first day's ride was simply lovely.  Not only was the weather better than last year, but the wind was better too: less of it overall, and we did all the riding into it early in the morning, and had it at our backs for the second half of the day. (Day 1 map.)

The end of Day 1

Back at the tent at the end of the day, I found this, which was awesome!

Look closely and you'll see not one but two drinks...

Sunday dawned much cooler; it was in the low 50s when we started riding.  It was a more challenging day to dress for, since it was also going to get up close to 80 and be sunny all day.  The weathermen were dead on in that prediction, and thankfully also in their prediction that we would do most of our riding into the wind early in the day. (Day 2 map.)

Fairly early in the day, T and I hooked up with a group that was riding a couple miles and hour faster than we were.  It's easy to add a couple miles when you're drafting, so we rode with them for 20 miles or so (including missing a rest station), and I made a new friend who joined us for the rest of the ride!

The route on the second day was tougher, a fair bit hillier, but even after the long ride on Saturday we were feeling good and didn't have any trouble making it back to the car in almost the same time as it had taken us on the first day.  We were shorted just a little bit on the route though, so we rode around the parking lot until we hit our 100 miles.

We loaded up our bikes and were all ready to head back home, but decided we needed a stop for some super-healthy dinner first!

Mmm, Steak 'n Shake!