MS 150

Two weekends ago, my co-workers and I took part in the MS 150 on the Trail of the CD'A's (75 miles each day). Since the STP, we decided it would be great to keep up with our riding and challenging ourselves with these longer rides while raising money for good causes. Two gals at our gym (Global) informed us of this ride and we decided to go for it. The problem though was that the $50 registration and a minimum of $250 donation was required to participate. We couldn't come up with the $300 each on our own, nor did we have much time to pick-pocket our buddies for donations. So we turned to our doctors at Oral Surgery Plus. They get to donate, put their names out there (tax-deductible) and we get to have our fun...and some pretty awesome jerseys supplied by the docs as well!

Cheryl, myself, Michelle and Diane.

"Proudly powered by Oral Surgery Plus"

Cheryl and Diane along the trail.

And again at a random bike shop along the way...

Dinner was provided by the CD'A Casino

The story behind this one: Negative Nancy showed up unexpectedly...so we saved her a seat at our table for dinner.

Konni and Jayme joined us for dinner and fun after day 1.

All done with breakfast (again, provided by the casino) and ready to hit the trail with Kelly Niles and Traci Fontaine.

It really was THAT much fun!

As a review, this was an amazing experience. It was very well supported with Wheelsport and Bicycle Butler there for repairs. Stops all along the way for fuel and rest. The organizers and volunteers were the friendliest I've encountered yet and the fun stuff we walked away with far outshined the STP. We were given nice jerseys and a participants medal, Saturday's lunch and dinner were taken care of for us as well as breakfast and lunch AND dinner on Sunday. The only frustration I had all weekend didn't have anything to do with the ride at all but with another 1st Annual ride that had been scheduled for the same weekend...Spokanes' Spokefest. While it is a great way to get folks out enjoying their bikes, I'd like to see the money...or something...go to a good cause instead of outshining one. Just a thought.

Malibu 2008

Another fantastic week at camp!
It rained the entire week…ok, not the entire week. We had one day of sun. Well, sorta sun. But we were blessed with the company of some girls with great attitudes and they took advantage of every moment, stopping only with hopes of finding some dry clothes.


We are the Malibu Army. Yea, tough all-right! (dressed for a volleyball competition that is not about volleyball at all)


Kayloni, Mackenzie and I…showin’ off our biceps…


The aftermath of our obstacle course. The only time you’ll encounter high school girls excited about getting muddy and wet and stinky. I only wish I had a picture of all of them. Intense!

A few of us before the beloved zipline

The lady leaders enjoying respite from the rain before our fancy dinner.

Super sunshine…the day we left.
Toby, Kayloni, Mackenzie, Myself and Tyler (who is a lot taller than he appears here)

As always, it was a great week!

Summer Review

The summer of 2008 was defined by two big events and many small but equally great ones wedged in-between.





I thought I’d revisit my post from July 3rd….
1. 204 miles. Period. …This is still the way that I feel about it. In fact, I didn’t get back on my bike for a good 2 ½ weeks. We’ve since reconciled our differences.

2. The “Blaze of Glory”…I still don’t know what the heck that was?

3. “The Hill” at mile 43. …mostly hype. It was no different than the hill we faced during the Lilac Century…in fact, it was shorter.

4. No stopping on the Lewis and Clark bridge…It looked and felt more like a herd of cattle. We were corralled on a side street until we were about a ¼ mile long modge-podge of cyclists. Once we were let loose, we inched (and I mean inched) our way up one side of the bridge; spaced out a little at the top and roared down the other side. This is where heeding the advice regarding the expansions should have come in handy…but I forgot it. I was a lucky one though and made it through just fine.

5. No new va-jay-jays. Dammit.

6. Optimism…I did greet the second day with the same optimism. Mostly because I knew we were half done and it was my understanding that the second day is easier…more on this thought later.

7. No rain. ‘nuf said.

8. expansion joints…see #4

9. Shy bladder…I am a freakin’ camel. Seriously.

10. “By this time tomorrow, I’ll be done”. Yes, this was expressed many, many times.

11. Great company, a great deal of giggles and MILES OF MEMORIES….I hit this one right on the nose. What a great group of gals to complete such a crazy goal with!

There were many great highlights. Kathy Best was my riding buddy both days. We laughed, I cried. She led many pace lines, I mustered up 1 ½. At times, we’d blow past groups of guys at a time and we didn’t mind a bit that it bothered them. There were a few times however, where I lost Kathi because she set her sites on showing up the fellas. “Oh hell, there she goes again…” But we made a few friends and encountered some weird people, too. I loved coming across those with radios strapped to their bikes, those with costumes, and of course the tandems were always a hoot. And about the idea that the 2nd day was easier? I call BS on that one. I told Kathi that if I saw another hill, I was going to plant myself right where I was and she'd have to come back for me with the van...we conqured about 6 more hills after that.

I won’t lie though. It did get frustrating at times when we encountered the rude and/or uneducated, both motorists and cyclists. I know 10,000 cyclists can be a teeny-weeny bit overwhelming but that doesn’t mean they can act like they didn’t see me.

Overall, the race was well supported, the food they offered for lunch was fantastic. We received a finishers patch that they placed on a rope so it could double as a medal? I think? And don’t forget the Tyvek STP jackets! Now, every time I pass a house with Tyvek on the side I proclaim, “I have a jacket made outta the same thing that house is wearing!” Nice.

If the STP is anything like childbirth, I’ll forget the pain and look forward to the next one. What a blast!