Wednesday, June 3, 2009

MS150 Ride - Nebraska

Rode the MS150 from Omaha to Lincoln and back last weekend. I did the century ride on the first day, and rode the 66 mile route back on the second.

I rode the Ramby on this trip. Needless to say, the bike ran perfectly.

I've been riding the MS150 for the past three or four years, and I'd have to say it's one of the best supported organized rides I've been on. Water and food stops every 10 miles or so, police and volunteer escorts, bike shop and sag service. Besides that, it supports a great cause!

The weather was great in the morning both Saturday and Sunday, though the wind picked up in the afternoon. We managed to make it back on Sunday before a storm front blew through. I was a bit tired the next day, but I think my commute schedule has helped maintain my general level of bike fitness.

RAGBRAI is in six or seven weeks. Our RAGBRAI team, aptly named 'Lost In Iowa' has been meeting and we are putting together logistics. As it stands, we won't be renting an RV for our group so we will put our gear on a SAG (an acquaintance taking an RV with no extra beds but extra storage space), and we'll be tenting it. We have a southern route this year and it looks to be hilly, but our group will only be riding the first three days.

Looking forward to new bike adventures! - D

3 comments:

Travel Gravel said...

So let's say that if a guy "virtually" knew someone on your team, and this guy wanted to live out his dream of an all-gravel RAGBRAI ride with some support, and said guy could make his way out to the start, and our guy could probably only realistically do the first 3 days anyways, could this person stash his tent and a small bag of clothing with you and bum along?

djdau@walnutel.net said...

Are you going to try to ride gravel all the way from Council Bluffs to Indianola, or are you going to ride the route?

Right now, we have at least 5 people riding at least all three days, and two others probable for the first day or two. It'd be great having you along, but I'll need to run it past the 'Lost In Iowa' committee (our team) first to work out the logistics.

Right now, we are stashing our stuff in the RV, riding, and tenting at the overnight towns. We do have a campsite set up for Red Oak (friend of a rider), they'll have a band and everything. We are playing Greenfield and Indianola by ear but hoping we'll find suitable camping.

In the past, we rented an RV and divided up the expenses. I don't see a whole lot of expenses for this ride, though we'll probably help our SAG out with gas money and maybe some campsite fees if applicable.

Getting back home is the next issue. Since we are all from Omaha or Council Bluffs we need a ride back, and we have all arranged transportation. Will you have a ride back to Boone?

I'll shoot an e-mail to our group next week and we'll discuss. Send me your e-mail address and I'll give you an update - Big D

Travel Gravel said...

My email is travelgravelblog@yahoo.com and yes, I would try it all on gravel:) I have done a day or two in the last couple of years on gravel and I must say that it is my preferred surface to ride on. I rode from Boone to Jefferson and back last year, all but about a dozen miles was on gravel. I can get home from Indianola easily enough, or ride it. I am experimenting with bags and racks as of late, so it may be a moot point, but let's keep on the track of me possibly tagging along on the fringes of your group. As a kicker, we are trying to sell our house and buy a new one, so it will all depend on how that goes down too. What a world!ater!