The MS150 conclusion

So let's just say that the last day of the MS150 wasn't without it's UPs and DOWNs. On the hills that is. I felt like the first six miles of the second day were some of the worse (in difficulty) in the entire ride. Some of these roads I don't think I would like to be in a car driving. I got going over 30 mph on the downhill with me holding the break. In the end we only last till lunch knowing that we had to return the way we came seeing the hill in the reverse. I think I was more nervous on the downhills then the pain going up hill. I'm going to practice that and conquer it next year.

Aside from the ride I met some great people yet again. I met this guy named Wes. I asked if he knew someone with MS because he was wearing a bandana that indicated so. He admitted to me that he had MS. He was at a rest stop waiting for his mother who was making through all the hills in the first half of the ride. She was riding to support him and she is over 60 w/ minimal training. We got to discuss each others symptoms and treatment. We both started on one certain med and both changed due to the pain on injection. We determined that thus far there isn't an easy treatment available. It was interesting to find each others course through the disease. Then we talked of symptoms and he had one that I had and described it perfectly. At least I knew what he ment. I'd hadn't heard this same symptom from anybody else.

This was Jeremy's bib number (notice its yellow) due to the fundraising efforts of everybody last year. It is special to be in the top 150. It appears that we just made it. I was proud that he was wearing that number, with all the help of family and friends. My sister and I's bib number were white, so Jeremy stood out.

Me riding on the single bike this year. That is a first for me at least that distance. I think the most I did during the summer on a single bike was 30 miles.

Jeremy and I posing by some beautiful flowers at one of the rest stops. There was some great scenery while riding but it is hard to get a picture while riding. We were each sporting our BJC jersy, a team the we rode for when I worked at Barnes Hospital.

My sister and I at the end of the ride putting on a good face for the camera, but truthfully in a lot of pain. I'm glad that she did this with me. We all signed up to do it again next year. This time we WILL finish. Her commitment to do this open up an entire new city for fundraising because she lives in Springfield. If anyone wants to join us next year the dates are Sept 12th and 13th.

Here is website to see us in action. They had a photographer taking pics of all the riders. It looks good except, who taught me how to wear a helmet???

http://kmorris.exposuremanager.com/scripts/expman.pl?rm=show_photo&photo_id=gateway_405043&dir=galleries/19/13/1/25

The more that I dealing with MS I realize the options for treatment and a cure are: Slim for a treatment and NO cure to date. I would like a cure to be found while I'm still able to be a participant in the ride instead of a volunteer unable to ride due to the disease. This describes some of those passing out medals at the finish line. They are so thankful for us riding to help get to the bottom of MS. When those people talk to me it is sort of an out of body experience for me.

We are so thankful for the funds raised thus far. Because some people have asked me: Those of you still mailing checks or wanting to donate it will still count toward the ride until October 15th. You can still go to my website if doing it online otherwise mail to me by Oct. 10th so I can turn it in.

http://main.nationalmssociety.org/site/TR/Bike/MOSBikeEvents?px=1934921&pg=personal&fr_id=7630