The MS 150 was an amazing experience. A huge milestone for my cycling and a great cause to ride for. It was an adventure I won’t soon forget.

Here are some Day One highlights:

  • Freezing your Gatorade Propel is a nice way to have a cold drink many miles down the road. Leaving your Propel in the freezer and making that discovery about a 1/4 mile from the start of your 150 mile bike ride is just plain….stupid!
  • Our first stop was actually at the second rest area. I was fired up and feeling good. I quickly pulled out my Powerbar Gel and squeezed the gooey substance into my mouth. Just then, Joel approached me and proclaimed, “What are you doing!??! We’re at the second rest stop! I can’t believe you just ate your Power Gel. You’re like an airplane using its afterburners while its still on the taxiway.“
  • Thank God for the lunch break. I remember the exhaustion I felt at the halfway point of our nearly 100 mile trek. The extended stop provided a much needed escape from the saddle and the food was just what I needed.
  • I learned a lot about riding in a large group. As a few accidents on the ride illustrated, yelling “Slowing/Stopping” is critical to safety. You have to always assume there are riders behind you and be very aware of what is happening up front. Communication makes the ride safe, a lack of it noticeably increases the risk.
  • 60-70 miles into the ride, I started noticing how long each mile started to become. “Next break point is six miles.” Normally that’d equal a short ride that felt like almost a blink of an eye. Not anymore. It felt like six miles was more like twelve…regardless of my speed!
  • Beeville sort of “snuck up” on me. When I saw the exit ramp ahead and realized that we had arrived, I don’t think it sank in. The announcer in Beeville was great. Her cheers and welcome helped to wake me up as I rode across the finish line for Day One.
  • The mobile showers were close and convenient. They were also like an OVEN as you waited for an open shower stall. A cold shower was the perfect answer.

Dinner under the Valero tent was perfect. I devoured the BBQ chicken breast and brisket. I was possessed by a ravenous hunger.

Later, in our hotel in Beeville, I ate three slices of pizza before backing off and trying to get some shut eye. Thank goodness for the hotel, cold AC and bed. It made a huge difference for this first-timer.