BIKEPGH MESSAGE BOARD ARCHIVE

« Back to Archive
69

Beginners guide to the MS150: 2011 Edition w/ Team Thick Notes

Beginners guide to the MS150



It seems like we've got loads of new people who have decided to take on the MS150, and in the spirit of the positive reception my guide got last year, I figured I would do it again.


The first year I did the MS150 I didn't really know what I was getting myself into, and the details that BikeMS gives you don't exactly go into detail of exactly what the MS150 is like. For your benefit and edification, I give you my play by play of what to expect throughout the ride, what gear not to forget and a little boost to your confidence, because lets face it, riding 150 miles isn't an easy task for most people, and forgetting suntan lotion doesn't make it any easier.


*NOTE* I'm also including the details for anyone riding team thick, because it seems most of us are, and we have some special ways of making this ride awesome-er.


Packing your gear




There are no bike inspections this year, so you are responsible for making sure that your equipment is in tip top shape to make the ride. If you don't trust yourself or know enough, have someone look at your bike well before the ride in case anything needs to be fixed. Check your brake pads, wheel alignment, make sure your cogs are good shape and you're well lubed all around. Since there is support for the ride, you don't necessarily need to carry a bag with tools/spare tire in it, but if you have any special components/needs or hate waiting, then it certainly cant hurt.


Bring your helmet and lights. Yes, lights. I know you'll be around plenty of cyclists and there shouldn't be a ton of car traffic, but I'll tell you that when I can't see your bike because its pouring out and you didn't bring a light and I smack into the back of you after I already can't feel my knees, I'm going to be pissed. I've seen it happen, don't be that guy or girl.


Speaking of rain, consider packing a poncho if you hate getting wet. Sometimes it rains. For the last two years, it has poured on the second day.


SUNSCREEN.




You know what hurts? Riding 150 miles of western pa hills. You know what hurts more? Doing that with sunburn. Get your face, your neck, your arms, your legs and the back of your calves. If you haven't ridden a whole lot in the sun before, this is going to sound strange, but you will totally get sunburn on the back of your legs.


GLOVES!




If you haven't done a ride this long before and you don't have gloves, you might want to pick up a pair. Some folks have issues which keep them from wearing gloves (numb hands, etc) but for most people, gloves will save you a world of pain.


PADDED SHORTS!




I know you think your old navy cargo shorts are enough, but they aren't. Your butt will thank you. Doesn't have to be full spandex, you can buy mountainbike shorts which look like normal loose clothes on the outside and have a padded liner inside.


CYCLING SHOES




If you don't already clip in, this isn't the time to start, but if you do, don't forget your shoes. Sucks to get to the field and realize that you'll be riding speedplays on chucktaylors for the next two days because you forgot.


CASH, ID, INSURANCE CARDS




Cash is for paying for replacement parts from sag wagons, ID is for getting beer at the beer garden, and hopefully you don't have to use your insurance cards.


WATERBOTTLES!




Yes, with an S. If you sweat a lot, you might want to consider swapping that pump holder for a second bottle cage. Personally I keep water in one bottle and gatorade in the other.


- TIPS FOR HYDRATION BECAUSE ITS PROBABLY GOING TO BE REALLY HOT

Gatorade is a preventative measure and electrolytes are important for your muscle help and to keep cramps at bay. Drink some gatorade (or your drink of choice) every once in a while to keep yourself balanced. If you're drinking just water, snacking becomes a bit more important to accomplish the same goal.


- IF YOU FEEL THIRSTY, ITS TOO LATE FOR GATORADE

When you feel thirsty, it means you are already dehydrated. The balance of intake of fluids and excretion of sweat aren't equal anymore and you're body is pissed. At this point, drink water, lots of it. Consider taking a breather to make sure you don't wind up with heat stroke. After you're hydrated, you can switch back to gatorade.


GU? Gel packs? Other stuff?




Can't hurt, just don't over-do it. I'm a fan of cliff shot blocks, which have the sort of things in them, including caffeine, vitamins and electrolytes, that keep me from cramping up and feeling awful throughout the day. Pro tip: Most gel packs taste awful. Just a warning.


Chamois butter to keep your lower end lubricated on the saddle.


Lip balm to keep your lips from getting sunburnt / chapped / nasty.


OH HEY IF YOU'RE CAMPING, DONT FORGET YOUR TENT!




Camp in whatever you like, just don't forget it, or you'll be sleeping under the stars. We camp in a grass field which can flood if it pours, so bring your rain cloth and whatever else you might need. With that, don't forget a sleeping bag, pillow, stakes, etc.


SHOWER TOILETRIES




Bring a towel and soap!


CHANGE OF CLOTHING




It sucks when you forget a change of clothing, because you take a shower and then realize you have to put your cycling shorts and jersey back on, and sleep in them, in 90 degree weather. Not that I've done that before, but I've done that before, and it sucks. A lot.


Friday, June 10th




If you're on team thick, you're welcome to join us (probably at Olive Garden in Greentree) for some pre-ride carbo-loading that night. Chris will send everyone an email with specific details, and this is usually when you'll receive your jersey. Feel free to post here if you need a ride.


Saturday, June 11th: Get yourself to Cooper's lake by 6:30




Options for getting to cooper's lake:


- If you're riding with team thick, we meet at Thick Bikes in the neighborhood of 5am (Chris will email you details with specific times) and then we try to carpool to the lake. You can get dropped off and we'll stick your bike in or on someones car or truck and carry it for you. If you want to drive yourself thats fine too, but meeting at thick and caravanning up makes for the most carpooling efficiency, so bring your rack if you're riding alone, we might need it. Makes hitting the starting line at the same time a lot easier too if we all arrive at the same time.


- There is a special drop off area if someone is giving you a ride. If you drove yourself, long term parking is in a giant field. Don't forget to close your windows / sunroof and turn off your lights.


6:30-7:30: Check in



You should have received your info packet by now and your donation envelope (its white and orange). Fill out the envelope and bring it with you for checkin, even if you don't have cash or checks to give them, that envelope is your ticket to ride. You'll be in a field with a thousand other cyclists - find the table that matches your last name, give them your orange and white envelope, they'll give you your riding numbers (one for you, one for your bike), baggage tags, ID badge lanyard thing and any other info you might need.


*if you haven't raised your $250 by the day of the ride its no problem, but they will make you sign a promise to pay and give them credit card info in case you never meet your goal. the deadline for donations is something like a month after the ride*


Some years they have had coffee and doughnuts, some years they just have power bars and water. Its hit or miss, so if you can grab something to eat before you leave, you're probably better off.


The first thing you should do at this point is to label your luggage/tent and pass it off to the tractor trailers that will be moving our gear.


Then attach your numbers to yourself and your bike, and find your team or head for the start. Team photos happen right before we hit the road. I'm fairly certain that Team Thick was a Top Team last year, which means we leave the gate at 7 to start the ride.


Don't forget to stretch!


If you aren't a member of a team, just make your way to the chute and they will release around 200 riders every 15 minutes.


What to expect along the way



The MS150 is an extremely well supported ride. There will be a rest stop every 10-20 miles along the route, which will have medical services (at the very least ibuprofen and muscle cream with a couple folks who are knowledgeable about the sort of injuries you might get, and most stops have an EMT in case someone gets really messed up), snacks (bananas, half pb+js, water, gatorade) and bathrooms. Sometimes a stop won't have water, in which case you'll be warned at the stop before that one. Pro tip: Don't eat too many bananas. They're great for knee health, but man, its so easy to eat like 30 bananas in a day. Not so great for your overall health.


At most of the intersections there will be the fine folks of the Honda Goldwing Rider Club (assuming its the same as the last few years) to guide you through intersections and tell you where to go. All of them are equipped with radios as well, so if you or someone you know needs help, or you have questions in regards to how much further until the next rest stop, don't be afraid to stop and ask, they are there to help!


There will also be SAG (support and gear) wagons which are equipped with radios for help and some of them will have mechanics on board if your equipment fails. If you or your bike cant make it, they will be happy to give you a ride.


Half way through the day there will be a lunch which typically entails sandwiches (turkey, cheese, pb + J, usually something to cater to everyones needs) and the snacks you saw the whole day, as well as EMT support staff and everything else.


Rules to remember:

This isn't a race and you will be removed from the ride if you exhibit racing behavior.

Avoid riding more than two abreast. If I see you riding 4 wide with car traffic, I will yell at you and so will everyone else. Then after the ride, we will all talk about what an awful person you are. Don't be that guy.

Always pass on the left and say "on your left" when doing so.


Terms/gestures you will use/hear:


"Car back": There is a car coming up behind us.

"Car up": Oncoming traffic

"Skinny up": Usually what follows 'car back', this means someone is riding in the car lane when a vehicle is trying to pass and keeping them from doing so.

*pointing at the road*: Warning for potholes / cracks / glass / obstacles

*elbow at right angle, fist towards the road, sometimes an open palm*: Stopping

"Plate": Steel plate on the road. Especially when wet, these can cause you to wipe out fairly easily.

"Dog / cat / bunny in the road" I shouldn't have to explain this, but seriously, watch out for pets.


Arriving at the University




On the first day, you essentially have until around 8:30 to get across the finish line at Edinboro University. Once you arrive, take your bike straight to the gymnasium where your bike will be locked up for the night. (The gymnasium will be locked from 9pm to 5am, so if you need to make any repairs be sure to get it back in by 9pm) You do not need a lock, your bike will be looked after.


After you've dropped off your bike, figure out where the bags have gone (should be the next building over if memory servers) and pick yours up. Head to whatever sleeping area you signed up for.


There are showers at the university! Use them. You smell.


If you're camping with team thick, you'll probably find us across the street from the family safe camping, probably a stones throw away from that guy who sleeps in a hammock on the soccer net. Look for the Thick Van, its hard to miss.


There will be a dinner from 4:30 to 7:30 with varying levels of proteins and recovery-friendly foods (I recommend the chocolate milk) for you to enjoy before heading to the nights festivities, including hanging out at your campsite, going swimming, visiting the beer garden or game room, or going to sleep.


Sunday, June 12th



The ride starts at 7:30, so make sure you get up sometime before then to give you time to grab breakfast, pack up your tent/gear, drop it off with one of the trucks, and grab your bike from the gymnasium.


Lunch, same as saturday.


Finish Line!




When you get into Conneaut you should have a big smile on your face because you just rode your bike 150 miles and the whole neighborhood will come out to cheer you on. Its a pretty awesome feeling.


When you make your way into the park, there is a hill that takes you down to the finish line. WATCH OUT FOR THE SPEED BUMP! I know you're going to want to celebrate all Tour de France style, but watch out for people and speed bumps as you head down the hill.


Unfortunately you're not done yet - the finish line is at the bottom of the hill - the drop off for your bike is at the top of the hill. I recommend staying on your bike, making the left up the hill and then finally dismounting your bike. Pass it off to the transportation truck and head back down the hill for your tshirt, medal and food. Hang out with your teammates, commiserate over your pain, and feel like a rockstar.


Eventually the truck carrying your gear will unload your bags onto the grass at the top of the hill. When its time to catch a bus back to Coopers Lake, grab your bags and wait in line for a bus. SERIOUSLY, DONT FORGET TO GRAB YOUR BAGS FROM THE GRASS. The busses start at noon and finish around 3:30, leaving in half hour intervals. If you're with Thick, catch up with your ride at Coopers Lake and head back to Pittsburgh.


That should cover it assuming I didn't miss anything. Anyone else who has done the ride, feel free to chip in with any advice you might have. If anyone is curious about anything I didn't mention here, ask in the thread or drop me a pm.


Happy riding! I'll be the guy in a Thick jersey with a fancy camera taking really terrible photos of you.


robjdlc
2011-05-28 19:03:56

Some more tips- Sunblock on the tops of your ears. Camelbak is helpful. Water in that and Gatorade in bottle(s) if you don't mind having something on your back. You can also stash a raicoat or tubes or whatever else in it. I plan to be there at 6am just because 2 years ago, we were stuck in traffic in moraine for an hour despite getting there really early. I think they straightened out the issue, but I hate being late.

Also there is no soy milk, or at least there hasn't been to date. I made

the mistake of having real milk that made me sick right before we set off on day 2 last year. And if you have a fear of clowns, look away near the finish line and focus the road. There are a lot of headwinds on the second day, but luckily it is flat. The first day has many hills, including heart attack hill, which is believe is right after lunch on the newer course. If you are doing the century, be cautious- in years past, the century option was closer to the finish, so you had an idea of how your legs were doing and if the century was going to be a good idea to do. Last year the century option was somewhere around mile 35-40- right after lunch. I did it, but I realized it was hard to tell exactly how horrible i was gonna feel around mile 75 with another 25 to go. The century is quite hilly also. At the end, there is a tiny bathroom to change in, ladies. So expect a wait and expect to get naked as you hide behind the door swinging open and closed without being seen by people outside passing by. There are 3 stalls. Last year there was also a long line to load the bikes onto the truck. Suggest doing this and then waiting a bit and getting more food before getting on the bus to go back to avoid a long wait to get your bike at moraine to go home.


stefb
2011-05-28 20:32:57

I got a fist full of gas money and need a ride to OG and to the lake the next morning. Please! :)


This isn't a race and you will be removed from the ride if you exhibit racing behavior.

Avoid riding more than two abreast. If I see you riding 4 wide with car traffic, I will yell at you and so will everyone else. Then after the ride, we will all talk about what an awful person you are. Don't be that guy.


I volunteered to be a safety marshal. In addition to the rules Rob mentioned above, I am supposed to tattle if you break any of these rules:

• Wear a helmet.

• Move over for passing traffic.

• Don't ride in the oncoming lane.

• Don't run a stop sign.

• Don't use headphones/earbuds/cellphone.


dwillen
2011-05-28 21:08:33

Forgot to mention, if you're riding team thick, it would be totally cool if you brought drinks/snacks for the campsite. Stick it in the van when you get to thick on saturday morning.


robjdlc
2011-05-28 21:24:27

Good intro post. Whats the terrain like? Also is Thick doing any training rides?


boostuv
2011-05-28 22:15:28

Big hills the first day, low amish farmland the second day and a couple of hills. All roads.


No training rides - as long as this isnt your first time getting on your bike in 5 years you'll do fine.


robjdlc
2011-05-28 22:33:05

Nice writeup!


Also, if it's your first time, you're supposed to jump in the lake at the end.


PS: if anyone needs a ride up there let me know, I failed to join Team Thick again so I'll be driving. My rack only holds 2 bikes so I can only take 1 other person.


salty
2011-05-28 22:35:32

Rain gear. No joke.

I got soaked the second day of the ride last year. I'm rail-thin and just about wound up with hypothermia before one of my friends noticed the warning signs and made sure I got warm. I'm never doing another long ride without rain gear again.


nochasingiguanas
2011-05-29 01:32:54

Additional notes if you are riding a tall bike:


-For some reason, other participants seem embarrassed and/or offended when you pass them.

-If you ride the century, participants will ask you if you know you took the century option.

-Be prepared for Shane to yell, "get down from there!" at you all weekend--even when you aren't riding.

-You won't need fenders because the spray from your tires won't go that high.

-WATCH FOR SPEED BUMPS. The 2ft high signs are as obvious when you are 8 feet up.


ndromb
2011-05-29 03:33:25

Points one and two also apply to women, so lucky Nick, you get a little taste of life on the distaff side. And you don't even have to wear heels.


lyle
2011-05-29 13:12:47

I wish I had read a post like this last year! I was wicked unprepared.


Some additional stuff that I learned after last year's ride; Remember to pack some flippy floppies for wandering around at the end of day one. Last year i just had my sneakers and I couldn't fathom putting them back on, so i walked around the goose-poopy campus barefoot.


If the only tent you own can fit twenty people inside, buy a smaller tent.


There is a pool at Edinboro! You won't know how lovely and refreshing it looks until you see it after many miles in the sun. Bring a bathing suit and towel.


Be mentally prepared for roadkill. Biking past an inside-out porcupine is different than driving past one.


Underwear elastic really hurts after 150 miles of riding. Nobody ever told me this. Let your chamois butter be your undies.


parvipica
2011-05-30 03:00:21

Don't wear underwear. Just wear padded shorts under whatever shorts you wear.


stefb
2011-05-30 03:55:24

I've beaten this drum before, but getting some ice on the back of your neck makes a huge difference (speaking from experience: I did a 600K a couple years back where over a hundred miles on the first day were mid-90s and high humidity).


A simple cotton sock or arm warmer filled with ice, draped over your neck with the ends tucked in your collar, will keep you comfortable (damp, but comfortable) for an hour or more. You can do the same thing with any tube of porous fabric, or even with the bladder from a Camelbak if you don't mind heating up your beverage faster.


reddan
2011-06-01 02:08:29

I'm all over that. I overheated one year and had to spend about 20 minutes in the shade at the last rest stop in Ohio on day 2. Then after about 15 minutes of riding again I was fine and dandy. I also think I ate too much at lunch. But I will have a neck ice thingy on for sure. My riding slows significantly in the heat.


p-rob
2011-06-01 02:22:12

That's a good article -- high truth:BS ratio. I've found that when I'm fully acclimated to the heat, I may start sweating even before I walk out the door. Totally Pavlovian.


lyle
2011-06-01 02:22:13

BS as in BS? I thought it was good to encourage people to get out some in this heat to acclimate before the event.


I sweat in a cold room, but it is different in high temperatures while riding. Like when I am wearing too many layers on a hill climb in the winter. I feel nauseated and have to take layers off. In the summer, I cant take off enough layers. There are reasons why my trailname is Patsquach.


p-rob
2011-06-01 02:26:03

It IS good, one of the best I've seen. High truth:BS ratio means lots of truth, little BS (the product plug)


And there's still time before the event, so get out there and exercise in the heat!


lyle
2011-06-01 12:08:56

thanks, i did not understand that.


p-rob
2011-06-01 13:01:50

Speaking of team thick, any chance a guy can get a ride to olive garden with somebody on the night before?


rick
2011-06-01 13:19:27

Depending on my schedule I'm still thinking of signing up for this last minute.


bradq
2011-06-01 13:40:42

call Thick. I think there is a carpool for that too, or something like it. I can ride greentree hill, but dont want to the night before the event.


p-rob
2011-06-01 16:42:31

Did Chris send out an email about OG.


ndromb
2011-06-01 17:02:30

Good write up. Only thing I would add is remember to change your hand position often and don't death grip your handlebars. You can pinch a nerve if you're not careful as I did 2 years ago on my GAPCANDO trip...got a good case of handlebar palsy.


Also it's good to try to get in and out of the rest stops...if you let your body stop too long it's going to think it's nappy time... Unless you really do need the break (ie: fending off heat stroke).


+1 on the rain gear.


gimppac
2011-06-01 17:37:06

Very informative! The only thing I might add is if you have allergies don’t forget to bring your eye drops, Allegra, Claritin, ect. You will be ridding in rural farm county and will need it. I normal don’t take anything for allergies but always have problems on this ride.


greasefoot
2011-06-01 17:51:18

@Greasefoot excellent post. That is something I never would have thought of.


boostuv
2011-06-01 19:07:49

The OG was posted on the team Thick MS website. Chris said yeah, they will probably eat there


p-rob
2011-06-01 21:26:43

OG dinner is at 7:30pm on Friday. If anyone could give me a ride there, let me know. I'll be leaving from work in Oakland. If not, I will have to try and leave work early and head over to Thick for the carpool thing. Thanks!


dwillen
2011-06-06 04:22:53

Dan, if it rains, I'll give you a ride, but if it doesn't Kayla and I will probably take the motorcycle. You could try Kyle as well. I know he and his girlfriend are going.


ndromb
2011-06-06 08:43:53

Thanks Nick. On the off chance it isn't raining, anyone else driving to the OG from Oakland? :)


dwillen
2011-06-06 12:23:48

Dan, we'll be driving if you need a ride. I live literally like 4 houses down from Nick.


boostuv
2011-06-06 12:36:20

Sweet, I'll go with that then. Thanks!


dwillen
2011-06-06 12:40:20

It's looking like rain this weekend. Possible thunderstorms on saturday.


Don't forget your rain gear, and a ground cloth and rain fly for your tent.


Staying dry isn't just about comfort, its also about maintaining body temperature. If you spend a day flying down hills soaking wet, suddenly you're more concerned about hypothermia than heat exhaustion.


robjdlc
2011-06-07 15:14:15

For Slippery Rock, PA:

Friday Night through Sunday

Mostly cloudy with a chance of showers and thunderstorms. Lows in the upper 50s. Highs around 80. Chance of rain 30 percent.


The quality of the forecasted high temperature for this day is poor. The NDFD forecast quality is poor.


Regional Forecast for Southern Erie

Saturday

Mostly cloudy with a chance of showers and thunderstorms. Highs in the mid 70s. Chance of rain 30 percent.

Sunday

Partly sunny. Highs in the mid 70s. Chance of rain 0 percent.


I'm still holding out hope.


dwillen
2011-06-07 15:26:02

I think you have a good chance of avoiding whatever storm may or may not develop. Rain towards Erie tends to blow in then out, not stay all day.


rsprake
2011-06-07 15:30:36

Still too early to tell, but i will take rain and 80 over 90, sunny, and humid.


stefb
2011-06-07 22:54:24

Me too.


kgavala
2011-06-07 23:13:25

So the single speed I just picked up is geared a little higher than my old one. To those of you who have done the regular route, can you think of any hills longer or steeper than Stanton ave going up from baker street? Or lake drive in highland park (the short steep climb as you go counterclockwise and end up at the mural at the top of one wild place)? I did those both last night slowly and steadily but didn't get stuck. I Only recall two horrible climbs on the century option that the bike would be geared too high to do.


stefb
2011-06-08 13:52:11

You could always just swap out chainrings or freewheels


ndromb
2011-06-08 14:07:58

This will be my first time doing the MS 150, and I'm ... okay, not terrified, but highly anxious. I've only been riding regularly for about a year.


I have a decent sized trunk bag that I carry with me on my daily commute; I am debating whether to take it along on this ride. When I did Pedal Pittsburgh last month no one appeared to be hauling gear of any sort except in wee little seat-post bags. But I don't know where I would stash, say, a rain shell, without my trunk bag.


What do you think?


jamesk
2011-06-08 14:25:35

If it makes you comfortable, bring it. It won't really hold you back very much. Get road tires - very minimal tread - if you haven't got them already. I saw people doing the MS150 on knobbies. Misery.


lyle
2011-06-08 14:45:32

I have road tires and I am thankful for that.


The bike's structure (it is a Trek hybrid) is such that I only have room for one water bottle, so I am probably going to get a camelbak.


jamesk
2011-06-08 14:52:41

@jamesk: a Camelbak pack is great for carrying all sorts of extra stuff, like a rain shell, arm warmers, and suchlike. If you want even more space, get a pack rated for a full 100oz bladder, and use a smaller bladder instead.


reddan
2011-06-08 15:01:53

Or put a bottle in your trunk bag and swap it out when you empty the one on your bike.


lyle
2011-06-08 15:02:25

I'm not doing the ride this year, but I would suggest taking the trunk bag. This way you can take a camera, extra water bottle, patch kit, etc. without stuffing everything in your shirt pockets. Just be careful you don't overdo the 'I might need this' thinking or you'll need a bigger trunk!


marko82
2011-06-08 16:42:15

Nick - I think I will be ok. I would rather be in a slightly higher gear for flats on the second day anyway.


stefb
2011-06-08 17:31:54

Stef, if the gears sets you back enough on the hills, I may be able to actually keep up this year in stead of catch up.


ndromb
2011-06-09 00:27:41

I think I am hanging back and doing a nice relaxing ride with Colin this year. I may get impatient and not stay at rest stops for like a half an hour though. We'll see what happens. I am in better sale this year though.


stefb
2011-06-09 00:35:59

I am only in as much shape as my bike is functional.


ndromb
2011-06-09 00:40:27

Who's pumped? I'm pumped. You pumped?


robjdlc
2011-06-09 13:36:49

I think I am. Feeling unprepared.


kgavala
2011-06-09 14:43:42

What Kayla hasn't told anyone is she is planning on riding a new bike--a restored, Cannondale from the 80's. I think I am rubbing off on her.


ndromb
2011-06-09 15:23:01

A restored bike that isn't yet a bike, just parts.


kgavala
2011-06-09 15:39:42

so he's going to build YOUR bike at 3am friday night. now the getting done with the tall bike a few days before the ride makes sense!


cburch
2011-06-09 15:47:59

No...bike should be done tonight or tomorrow morning.


kgavala
2011-06-09 15:50:08

Is "so anxious that I'm nauseous" the same thing as "pumped"? If so, I am pumped as hell.


jamesk
2011-06-09 18:57:05

I wish I was doing this ride. Next year....


pseudacris
2011-06-09 18:57:58

Im kinda pumped, kinda anxious, kinda nervous.


boostuv
2011-06-09 20:52:58

Probably should start a new thread, but are any of the regulars going to be doing Flock tomorrow night?


marko82
2011-06-09 21:07:20

Nick and I plan on going (assuming bikes are ready to ride, and they should be).


kgavala
2011-06-09 21:32:30

Kayla is building her own bike. I'm just over seeing it to make sure it goes smoothly (and I sprayed it because she was having issues with getting a good lay with rattle cans, which can be hard).


I think most of you will be impressed with this bike. It's probably the nicest, most tastefully styled, low-budget build I've seen.


ndromb
2011-06-09 21:52:16

well we already knew that you were rubbing off on kayla, nick.


stefb
2011-06-09 22:57:59

Haha, you mean the fact that this is super last minute?


kgavala
2011-06-09 23:02:10

Kayla, good to know some of you are planning on getting no sleep before a big ride. (I didn't want to give Nick's speach, and I hate leading)


Can't wait to se both new bikes.


marko82
2011-06-09 23:15:45

I plan on getting several hours of sleep between work in the morning and dinner. I say that now...


kgavala
2011-06-09 23:40:07

Question..... does anybody have a map or link for the actual route for this ride??


I'M SO EXCITED BTW!!!!!


bikeygirl
2011-06-10 17:01:58

Oh and you may have wet shoes after the first day. I gotta remember to bring an extra pair of bike shoes since te pair I will wear tomorrow take forever to dry.


stefb
2011-06-10 18:52:47

Bring spare contacts if you wear contacts. I wear dailies, so I bring spare contacts and a set of glasses, just in case.


robjdlc
2011-06-10 19:13:11