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The MS 150 is an annual bike ride held to raise funds for the National MS Society here in Texas.  It consists of 2 days of road-biking totaling 150 miles (from Frisco to Fort Worth).  Derek has always loved biking, and his dad Verdi suffers from MS, so it was a natural fit 4 years ago for Derek to join our friend Rod's team and ride for this great cause.  My dad also joined the cause then and starting biking for my cousin, Brooke, who also has MS.  Derek and Dad were "wingmen" together and we always had such a great time waiting for them at the Texas Motor Speedway as they crossed the finish line of the 1st day.  (*Note: Derek doesn't ride on Sundays, so he rides 75-85 miles on Friday morning instead.  The first year he did it alone and subsequent years several friends and team members have joined him for the Friday ride).  Two years ago my athletic and spunky Aunt Lisa decided to join them and flew down from Chicago to ride along.  This was her 3rd year to ride.

SOMEHOW I let Derek convince me that biking was fun and that I should ride too.  So he bought a used bike from a friend last fall and encouraged me to start training.  Well…training is not as easy as it sounds for many reason…1) I have 3 kids, including a preschooler, who can't come with me 2)there are no bike lanes here and it is a little dangerous 3) I had to learn to clip in and out of my pedals and had to get comfortable wearing spandex! and 4) biking takes time, something that I have limited resources of and 5) North Texas is WINDY – and I have realized that wind is the enemy of biking.  We went on a few training rides together – Derek would ride his mountain bike with 40-lb Samuel on a bike seat with him. During one of our rides we stopped at a light, I unclipped right and leaned left and fell – hard!  That wasn't fun.  I even cried once as we were headed straight into the wind and with all my might I could only go 8 mph.  I think I even said at that moment "I hate this sport!!"  I attempted a few (3) solo rides – 2 of which were successful (I got a flat tire on the other).  Let's say this – "If you are prepared ye shall not fear" crossed my mind many times.  I had a LOT of fear – and for good reason.  I was not prepared!  But I was determined.  And determination usually can take me pretty far, because I'm also a little stubborn.

The day of the ride came and I was nervous.  The most I had ever gone on the bike was 14 miles.  The nice thing was I had options – all along the route there are "sag" wagons and there was the option to take a shuttle from lunch (48 miles in) to the finish line.  I had a great time from the start to lunch – visiting with my family and friends (Jodi Zollinger rode with us in the morning).  It was fun!  It was overcast and in the 60s/70s.  Wonderful!  I can do this. 

So when we stopped for lunch I was stiff and a little saddle sore but determined to finish.  I had NO idea how hard the next 40 miles would be.  It was time to get mentally tough.  The chatting and visiting ceased (with everyone!) and the chipseal gravel started to take over the roads.  My hands were numb.  My bum was numb.  My legs were on fire.  And there was one hill after another.  Plus we were headed into the wind (20-30 mph) all afternoon.  Lovely!  Sweet Derek would put his hand on my back and push me up each hill or let me rest my legs for a minute.  He was so supportive.

And in the end – it was SO fun to cross that finish line with most of our teammates and know that we DID IT!  And we did it for those who can't always ride for themselves.  I was able to raise $775 (thank you friends and family!!) and I am thrilled to say I rode 86 MILES. 

I admittedly like the bike now that we're better acquainted. 🙂

And the coolest part was that we had the most supportive "fans" EVER – Mark and Anne, Michael and Olivia (and Reid!), Audra and Paul, Christy and Samuel.  Jacob was sick and Caleb had a baseball game, so they spent the day with Nana.  Thanks everyone for coming to see us – and cheering us on!

This is some of the good stuff.