1st Day of 2010 MS150

It was another great turn out for the Minnesota MS chapter's MS150 bike ride.  This is two day event covering 150 miles from Proctor to White Bear Lake MN.  This years event raised an estimated 2.6 million dollars...$2,600,000.00...with nearly 3400 cyclist riding.  Each rider must pay an entry fee and then raise a minimum $300.00.  We want to thank everyone who helped us raise money, those who were there to cheer us on and those who helped with the logistics of our team.  THANK  YOU  ALL ! !

This the Gitchigumi Gear Mashers team.  With seven members this year, we hope to grow next year.  We had an early start on Saturday hoping to beat the rain that was forecast for the afternoon. It worked, but the fog was thick enough during the early morning that while riding a person with glasses could have used some wipers. The weather wasn't a factor for anybody in our group though, for we are a hardy group with Captain Savage and a couple commuters to keep the gang in line.

 The above picture is of the first rest stop in Carlton MN.

At each stop and periodically along the trail, there are greeters.  These were the Carlton rest area greeters.  The entire ride is patrolled with motorcycles and sag wagon fans.

The second stop was at Mahtowa.

Moose Lake rest stop had entertainment.  My thoughts went to the Old Fool when I saw this...but on this particular day, I think this gentlemen was getting a colder draft than the Old fool is used to. 

With 3400 riders, the rest stops get a little crowded.  We avoided some of the crowd by being early starters.

They serve you lunch at approximately the half way point of each day.  This the lunch stop of the first day which was at Willow River.  Submarine sandwiches, cookies, yogurt and a bag of snacks was the menu this year. 

This photo shows my sometimes laziness to take photos.  Rather than position myself to get the whole building in the picture, lets just take a picture of half the Grand Casino in Hinckley...our first day destination. 

This is photo of the festivity grounds at the half way point. 

A portion of the bike coral.  Notice the Surly Big Dummy on the middle of the left side.  The bicycles used in an event such as this varies widely.  Anything from Walmart specials to the over $10,000 models.  One our team members has custom built bicycles, so we paid close attention to the different rides.

The Gitchigumi Gear Mashers team tent taken before many adult beverages were consumed...none by the senior members.

It was here where I bought a tube to replace the tube I used to fix the flat we encountered earlier in the morning.  I found a sharp piece of glass in the tire...Continental Gator Skins...The first flat we have had running these on the tandem and by the looks of the piece of glass, it would punctured any tire.  One of the crossing guards further on down the trail told us a piece of tape with tacks poking through that had been found on the trail...Ain't that just special.  Every rest stop had mobile bike shops at them...some had several.  The prices they charge at events like these are very reasonable...to the extreme.  One in our group broke a spoke and the bill to repair it...$3.00.  He gave them more, and then, some more.  He was just happy to be back on the trail.  

The rest stops also had First Aid stations.  We did not have a reason to visit any of them, although some may say if they had offered psychological help, our team should have at least been evaluated.