This year's MS Mt. Bike Madness Ride turned out to be the best in the 6 years I've been riding it. The MS Committee, BBTC, and Bob Bournique out did themselves with one of the best epic courses to date. Tons of single track. Fun, technical, challenging, beautiful are just a few words that describe the route this year.
It was Mike's first real mt. bike adventure. He had joined some BBTCers for a ride on the trails near my house. He exclaimed at how tough they were and how he wasn't used to riding single track. They are tough. As one friend puts it "Cambodia style trails". Anyway I told him if he could get through today's ride everything else would be gravy after this. I didn't tell him at the beginning of the ride that Bob Bournique had said that this ride would "kick my butt". I figured he might change his mind. Well I was impressed. A die hard rodie has now been baptized in mud and I think he is looking at going out and buying a full suspension bike soon (o:
It was great to see a lot of old friends at this event. I'd like to thank over 50 riders from BBTC turned out for this event. The largest group so far. We raised quite a bit of money for the MS Society. I'd like to thank the BBTC folks who really worked to make this a great event. Paul, Martin, Justin, Bob Bournique, (sorry if I missed anyone) and others who stepped up to make this the best MS ride. The 6000 people in Washington State who have MS I'm sure appreciate your efforts. Its great to go out and do something you love for a good cause.
"Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed people can change the world:
indeed it's the only thing that ever has." — Margaret Mead
Not a lot of photos of this event. We were too busy riding but here are a few of the ones that turned out.
Mike and Me at the Start |
BBTC V.I.P. Tent |
Me in Front of the Tent |
Look at all Those Bikes |
Joe Martin |
Fast Action |
Fast Rider |
Takin a Break |
First Rest Stop |
Me on the Logging Road |
Lofting Over a Log |
Mike First Big Mt. Bike Adventure |
Tired Yet? |
Cruisin |
Break Time |
Other Rider |
Tim and Lisa at the End of Ride |