September 6-7, 2014
Clever, MO to Joplin, MO
150 miles in Two Days!
Day 1 – Clever, MO
Well the start of the MS 150 in Clever, MO was Saturday Morning, and it was raining. Randy and I had stayed in Joplin at my son Robert’s apartment, and we got a late start and got to the starting point a few minutes late. Randy got ready and headed out on the ride about 15 minutes after the start at 7am. The only nice part about the rain was the temperature was cool, and so the ride would not be hard. Well, at least that is what Randy thought. As he got started out, within the first mile, there was a very steep hill which was just the first of many. In Texas a “hill” is nothing compared to the “hills” in the Ozarks. We had talked about it, but Randy was not as prepared as he would have liked.
I headed out to the meet Randy at the first stop, I came across him as he was heading up another hill. I went ahead of him to get a picture. As you can see in the background, there were a lot of hills. The only plus was that everything was green and pretty. And it was a nice and pretty ride.
Well I headed out to the first rest stop to talk with Randy, and see how he was doing. I waited for him, and when he came in he looked like he was doing pretty well. He was smiling at least, enjoying his music on his speakers. (For safety they could not wear headphones, so they could hear vehicles and other riders around them.)
At the rest stop it looked like the riders had just “thrown” down their bikes on in the grass, and said that is it, I am done. But the truth was they were getting more to drink, snacks of bananas, peanut butter sandwiches, and pickle juice. Apparently pickle juice is very good to replenish nutrients lost while riding. I think that is one thing that I will skip.
Well after a little rest, Randy was ready to head on out. I was glad he was enjoying himself, a little wet, but having a good time. That is what the ride is all about, having fun, working out, and supporting a great cause.
Off I headed to see if I could get ahead of Randy and talk a couple more pictures. I was enjoying myself seeing Randy having fun and enjoying the ride. While passing him, I slowed down to talk to him and give him encouragement to keep going, and not let those hills slow him down.
I found Randy coming up a group of hills that he seemed to be determined to beat the hill, and not let the hill beat him. He made it up, but it was a challenge.
Well, Randy seemed to be doing pretty good with all the hills, he told me at the end of the ride, that he only had to walk one or two. I enjoyed watching him ride. Well he was off to the second rest stop, where I meet up with him.
Again, at the rest stop there were bikes all laying all over the place, as riders were taking a break, and getting some more refreshments. Of course the line to the port-a-pots were long.
The rain had stopped, and it was really nice outside. As Randy headed off to continue on his ride, I had to head on to Joplin to get ready to volunteer. I made a detour and stopped by Robert’s apartment and spent a little time talking with him. Then off to the Joplin Middle school to help with the Dinner serving.
It was slow when I got the School, and went out to the big tent where riders were coming after they finished the first day. It helped to pass the time as I waited for Randy to finish for the day. We served pasta, hamburgers and salad. It was lots of protein and carbs to help the riders recoup. The strangest thing that they seemed to love was “pickle Juice.”
When Randy finished, he came to me and said that he had missed the 100 mile loop by 12 minutes. Well, if we had got there on time, he would have had time. He did state that maybe it was better that he only did the 83 miles instead of the 100.
Well when my shift was over, we went to the MS rally, and it was amazing how many year’s people have been participating. This was the 30th year in the Ozarks, and there was a guy that this was his 29th consecutive ride in the MS150. Wow, that is a lot of years. There were people in their 60’s, 70’s and even 80’s that were participating, and have even completed the 100 mile loop. It was really encouraging. The top fundraiser gave a speech about why he participates, and it is amazing how God works in our Lives. He had stated that he did the ride just for fun the first year, because he was a “washed up runner” with “bad knees.” I totally understand that feeling which is why I don’t run, bad knees. Well, he did say that later that year, his sister-in-law was diagnosed with MS. Now it had become a passion for him. The top 100 runners get to wear a yellow number that references their rank in fundraising.
Well, it was the end of Day 1, and off to sleep to get ready for Day two. I would be volunteering back at the start, now finish.
Day 2 – Joplin, MO
Well, this time we got up on time, and since it was about 4 miles from Robert’s apartment to the School, it didn’t take any time. We went and ate breakfast, pancakes, made fresh for us. It was really nice and everyone looked like they were half asleep, as it was 5:30-6:00 am. There was a small church service outside for those that wanted to attend. It was nice. Well Randy got his bike from the bike storage, and got ready and headed out, about 7am.
Once he was gone, I headed out back to Clever, about 60 miles by car. When I got there we started getting everything set up for the bikers to return. We got the signs all set back up and a welcome back sign. They set up a stage by the finish line which had been the start line the day before. So now, it was just time to wait for the riders to return.
I was working at the MS booth, were people could purchase hats, t-shirts and sign up for next year. Well, if you signed up that day for the 2015 Ride, you could do so for only $15 instead of $35, and you got a free “I Bike MS” t-shirt. I sent Randy a message to find out if he want me to sign him up, before they ran out of T-shirts, and he said “Yes.” So I decided that I would also sign up to ride next year. Ok, I haven’t really been on a bike in, well a lot of years. So I signed us both up. So now you see why I am trying to learn how to ride a Road bike, where your shoes “attach” to the peddles.
Randy sent me a text when he was at the last rest stop, which was about 10 miles from the finish. So I asked if I could go watch for him to come across the finish line, since my assigned shift was basically already over. It seemed like forever before I finally saw him coming down the drive. As he crossed the finish line, he was actually smiling, I think he was glad to be done.
Randy received his MS150 medal from a nice lady who has MS.
So, the weekend was over, and we headed back to Roberts apartment, and Randy went right to sleep on the floor. It was a great end to the day.
Thank you to those who Sponsored Randy’s ride. He raised $330!
2015! MS150 Ride.
Well, so this next year it will be both Randy and Myself riding in the MS150, so we both will need to raise at least $200 to be able to ride. So we will be looking for donations as the year continues, if you would like to sponsor us, you can let us know, or sponsor us on our MS150 pages.
Sponsor Lisa on MS150 Ozark ride 2015
Sponsor Randy on MS150 Ozark ride 2015
Thank you!!
Lisa's Quilting Passion 