Bike MS150: Ozarks Ride 2015

Last weekend I participated in the Bike MS: Ozarks Ride, a 150 mile charity bike ride across southwest Missouri. This year we left from Republic, MO and rode to Joplin (80.9 miles), returning a parallel route the second day (68.8 miles). Over 5200 feet of elevation gain and about 6-8k calories killed.

Saturday was nice and cool, but I warmed enough by the first rest stop to peel the shell and gloves for the day. I fell about mile 12 and hurt my knee pretty badly. I had my chain jump off and jam the rear cassette and it stopped me cold. Being unable to clip out quick enough, I went over into the adjacent ditch and the right crank arm slammed my knee like a hammer. I limped around for a few minutes thinking I was going to have to have a SAG motorcycle rider get me some help and I'd be out of the ride, but luckily I stuck it out and with a handful of ibuprofen, I finished the day.

Bike MS Day One

Bike MS 150 Ozarks Ride 2015

Bike MS 150 Ozarks Ride 2015

Bike MS 150 Ozarks Ride 2015

Bike MS 150 Ozarks Ride 2015

Bike MS 150 Ozarks Ride 2015

Bike MS 150 Ozarks Ride 2015

Bike MS 150 Ozarks Ride 2015

Bike MS 150 Ozarks Ride 2015

Bike MS 150 Ozarks Ride 2015

Bike MS 150 Ozarks Ride 2015

Bike MS 150 Ozarks Ride 2015

My wife and daughter met me in Joplin. My wife has been working with the local MS Society behind the scenes for months. She volunteers on the Board and both Walk and Ride Committees. After a shower at the hotel, we came back to the Saturday finish location for the evening presentation. We then got dinner with my employer and her boyfriend before turning in for the night.

Sunday morning, up bright and early again to peddle towards home. Another nice and cool morning. I was pretty spent on peddling Sunday, though, my ADD can only handle so much of a single task before my mind wanders. Luckily we rode through some amazing countryside, it certainly helped keep my head in the day.

Overall, I was in a little better condition this year in spite of a modest weight gain. My training was down about 300 miles from this time last year, as well. I think riding through last winter helped me stay somewhat conditioned to begin with in spring, so I wasn't starting from scratch like before.

Bike MS Day Two

Bike MS 150 Ozarks Ride 2015

Bike MS 150 Ozarks Ride 2015

Bike MS 150 Ozarks Ride 2015

Bike MS 150 Ozarks Ride 2015

Bike MS 150 Ozarks Ride 2015

Bike MS 150 Ozarks Ride 2015

Bike MS 150 Ozarks Ride 2015

Bike MS 150 Ozarks Ride 2015

Bike MS 150 Ozarks Ride 2015

Bike MS 150 Ozarks Ride 2015

Bike MS 150 Ozarks Ride 2015

Bike MS 150 Ozarks Ride 2015

Bike MS 150 Ozarks Ride 2015

Bike MS 150 Ozarks Ride 2015

Bike MS 150 Ozarks Ride 2015

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