The following is a copy of the messages I sent after riding the various MS150 tours here in Jacksonville

The following is a copy of the messages I sent after riding the various MS150 tours here in Jacksonville. The first year of participation was '96, I can not seem to find the letter posted for it. In any case, I do have the past 3 years worth. . .enjoy.

Note: The in-line pictures aren't necessarily associated w/ the paragraphs. In fact, the first two are the before and after pictures from the '96 MS 150 Tour to Jekyll Island, Georgia!

Last Friday night 'TEAM ROADKILL' met at the San Marco Pizza Palace for a high carb dinner (and maybe a little drink). We attempted to plan and designate a meeting time to be at the Jacksonville Zoo as well as discuss and plan around the events once we made it to Jekyll Island.

Saturday morning was a treat. Last year someone neglected to bring their shoes, this year Mr. Perry forgot his numbers, which he had received some time ago. Included with the numbers were wrist bands for meals and the sort. I did manage to make it through the weekend with little complications though. The TEAM very slowly assembled at the entrance gates of the Zoo eagerly waiting to be released @ 7:30. Once the last person made their visit to the bathroom we spun on with the rest of the crowd out of the Zoo and on our way. This year the ride up was full of stops. . .we considered calling ourselves 'TEAM STOP-A-LOT'. Along the way we witnessed a pedal fall off a bike, chains come off gear, and a drunk pass us on the right, in the grass at around 45-50mph (not sure if the guy was busted or not). We did make it to Jekyll though, despite the windy marsh and the tall bridge at the end. We got their with sore bottoms and a big interest in taking hot showers. We were 'TEAM LOOKIN-DIRTY' upon arrival.

Sunday was not as eventful as Saturday. Other than a very grueling windy day, and experiencing some saddle soreness, we made it back to Jacksonville with no complications and managed to find the energy to sprint at the end. All riders were greeted with cheers and praise at the finish and the team was happy to get off their bikes.

That was the weekend in a nutshell. . .it was really fun. . .can't you tell? It is time to collect though. I really appreicate all of your support. 'TEAM ROADKILL' sponsored a fund raiser earlier this month and we managed to raise more money aside from our regular pledge responsibilities. If you have not already given your pledge and plan to pay by check, please make them payable to the 'National MS Society'. Collectively I have raised $325 thanks all of you.

Something about this year just didn't show that much motivation from "Team Roadkill". With much disappointment, several people dropped out from the ride. There was also a bulk decision that we would ride the 150k (approx. 50 mi.) vs. the 150-mi., all for obvious reasons. This officially discovered over dinner this past Friday night at the San Marco Pizza Palace (one of our sponsors). A group that was once 12+ members, is now down to 6. Oh well. . .having done this ride with "Team Roadkill" the past three years, and knowing how this group works, I guess I shouldn't be all too surprised.

Saturday morning a groggy Perry rose up at 5:00 AM (or was that 5:30)? The six of us gathered at a designated place and set site for check-in at the World Golf Village (W.G.V.). At this point Perry also found some logistical problems. We loaded all of our baggage (change of clothes 'n the sort) in the back of someone's car, which was to meet us down in Daytona. Fortunately, I realized that my helmet and shoes were still in the trunk of that car just before we drove on to I95. . .we were able to turn around with minimal complications

After check-in at the W.G.V., we drove further down to the 150k kick-off point (different than the 150-mi. start at W.G.V.) and proceeded our trek to Daytona on a sunny and windy day (I've got the farmer tan to prove it). The actual ride down was fairly pleasant. The route took alot of back roads w/ some interesting scenery, some of which reminded us about the fires that plagued us earlier this year. There were also a few drags on some narrow and busy 2 lane roads (w/ no shoulders) that left us relatively concerned, but we survived. I thought the best sites were through residential areas along the intercoastal close to Daytona. We were happy to arrive in Daytona, eager to check in to our hotel rooms to shower, eat and nap.

There is really only one way to describe day 2. . .wet. I will say that the team looked alot better on the return. Unfortunately "Team Roadkill" experienced a slight complication. One of our riders took a brush from another cycler on his left, which in turn motioned him to take a spill. Luck would have it that an ambulance was near by and the EMT's offered to check him out. He was fortunate to walk away with a scrapped up leg and arm, but this was the end of the ride for him.

. . .and then there were 5. The remaining team did remain intact to continue and finish in good time. Once again eager to shower, eat and sleep. . .but maybe just eager to sit in a nice cushy chair.

Beyond this little story, I am at collection time. I really appreciate all of your support. If you have not already given your pledge and plan to pay by check, please make them payable to the 'National MS Society'. Collectively I have raised $246 thanks to all of you.

On an early Saturday morning (approx. 5:40AM), I arrived at my fellow cycling buddy's place. There we moved to perform the finishing items with the tandem bicycle we rented for the big ride. It was a standard tandem road bike (Trek T50), w/ a few of our slight modifications, adjustments and accessories. All of which included new 'non-numbing' saddles, saddle bag, handlebar bag, heart monitors, and clipless pedals.

We arrived at the World Golf Village with the sun slowly rising to give us light. We registered in, received our numbers, checked in our bags, got the rest of our cycle gear together and prepared to set off. Some of that preparation included the bathroom/port-o-let/port-o-potty wait. . .all of four (4 port-o-potties!!!) to take care of 1,000 some odd people?!? Day One (On the way down.): On the road at around 7:20 - 7:30 AM or so. This being the fourth year riding the MS150 and the first time either one of us rode on a tandem, we somehow managed to get used to our new wheels. Also a bit over zealous, we were rather amazed and entertained with the acceleration we were able to achieve. We found ourselves cruizing at around 23 - 24 mph for the first 30 miles and breaked. Unfortunately, it was *ALL* UP_HILL from there on. Getting back on the road, we fought the wind the rest of the way down to Daytona (huffing at around 17 mph). We ended up taking advantage of every stop, right to the finish. After 6 hours, we finally arrived in Daytona.

Day Two (Can't wait to be DONE.): After pondering over the previous days efforts, we made some conclusions. First, the $70 'non-numbing' seats weren't any better than the traditional saddles we're accustomed to riding and second, we needed to ride for comfort rather than speed to conserve our energy. Though it was nice to haul ass at speed, when either one of us tired out. . .it compounded the amount of effort each/both of us had to exert. Thus making the ride more difficult. Sunday ended up being much better. Our average speed was around 19 mph. We stopped when/where appropriate and managed to finish in under 5 hours.

Although very exhausted, tired, and sore. . .the ride was fun. There's no doubt that I'll be back next year. That was my weekend in a nutshell. It's time to collect though. I really appreciate all of your support. If you have not already given your pledge and plan to pay by check, please make them payable to the 'National MS Society'. Collectively I have raised $340 thanks to all of you.