Tuesday, August 28, 2012
Bike MS: Venture the Valley
Bike MS: Venture the Valley is a two day bicycle ride that starts and ends at the YMCA Camp Kern. Each day, riders choose from routes of 25, 50 and 75 miles with rest stops every 12 to 15 miles.
Friday evening, teams set up tents in the 'team area.' Teams serve refreshments, sponsor raffles and just hang out together. This is Team CCC's area.
Over 800 bicyclists participated in Bike MS: Venture the Valley to raise money for the National/Ohio Valley Multiple Sclerosis Society. This is the eighteenth year that I have participated in this ride.
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Saturday morning, after a pancake and sausage breakfast, my friend, Ron and I began our ride before the traditional 'mass start.' W-a-a-y too much confusion for the two of us at the 'mass start!' We had a quiet ride for almost an hour before the speedy riders caught up and passed us going up Zoar Road.
At the lunch stop at Stonelick State Park, I annoyed my friends who volunteer, Carol and Nancy, while they were busy making sandwiches for the riders.
"Faster, faster, faster," I called out to them.
After lunch, Ron rode the 75 mile route and I completed the 50 mile route back to Camp Kern. All riders climbed out of the Little Miami River Valley back to Camp Kern by riding up Halls Creek Road. A gentle start up the hill, but steeper as it neared the top. A GE Flyer passed me almost at the top, encouraging me by saying, "The last big hill before camp."
Riders spent Saturday afternoon cooling off in the pool, getting massages and just hanging out before the delightful dinner catered by Ruby Tuesday Restaurants; salads, assorted pastas, chicken and/or shrimp, rolls and an extensive selection of chocolate pies and macadamia nut cookies. Yum!
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Sunday morning, the temperature was once again in the lower 60's. Ron and I started out before the 'mass start.' The speedy riders caught up with us after the first rest stop as we rode up Middletown Road.
Riders rode across the dam at Caesar's Creek State Park.
We enjoyed an outstanding stop at Clinton Massie High School; shade, indoor restrooms, vendors and an assortment of sandwiches, veggies, cookies and drinks for the hungry and thirsty riders. Ron continued on the 75 mile route and I chose the 50 mile route back to Camp Kern.
Before the last rest stop, I caught up with a trio of 'boys' from the xpedx team; Ed, Bill and Mike. I chatted with them, asking if I could ride the last 18 miles with them.
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Riders who raise more than $1200 receive a 'top banana' jersey.
A BIG thank you to all my gracious sponsors!
THANK YOU! THANK YOU! THANK YOU!
Early estimates show that more than $500,000 has been raised to fund client programs and services, fund critical research and support essential advocacy efforts.
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# posted by Martha @ 3:12 PM 
