Well, the ride is now history, and the MS-150 in Washington this weekend was an incredible experience and great success. Certainly it was the two hardest riding days of my life, but also the two most rewarding, with a great cause to benefit, fantastic ride support, and unbelievable encouragement from the MS Society workers, all the bikers on the course, and the many people afflicted with MS who were in attendance.
The ride also represented back-to-back “personal bests” for me on the distance, 61 miles on Day 1 and 59 on Day 2…the MS-120. I was really hoping to make the full 150 miles with two 75 mile days—and I went for it on both days, eschewing the 50 mile option when the decision point came where you had to choose between the 50 and 75 mile routes. But pedal hard as I did, the full 75 just wasn’t achievable (for me) from a time perspective. The event had specific times…you couldn’t start before 8am, and you had to be done with the ride by 5pm (4:00 on Day 2) or they would sweep you off the course in one of the SAG vehicles. With an average speed of 10 mph, that only gave me 1.5 hours of total fluff time through the whole day (1/2 hour Day 2) for breaks, lunch, rest, bathroom. That seems like a lot, but it’s amazing how quickly it gets chewed up, especially at the break areas, where a 5-minute water and banana stop usually turned into a 10-minute question and answer session. There were lots of people interested in learning about the unicycle…how the brake worked, whether it was geared, did I really have to pedal down all the hills, etc. Once it became clear this would happen every time I stopped, I decided I’d rather be a uni-ambassador than a guy who was in too much of a hurry to talk to people. That said, I’m not sure I could have finished the 75 in the required time even without all the people and questions, as it was that support and enthusiasm that really gave me the energy to get back on and keep pedaling.
The first day was just lots of killer hills between Fidalgo Island and Whidbey Island. Total day—according to ride organizers—was 4,600 feet in elevation gain, of which probably 3,500+ occurred in the miles I rode. Some were steep, some were long, and two were long and steep. With the exception of one 50-yard stretch where I fell and had to hike to a safe re-mounting spot, I made them all and no bicyclist got to see me pushing my uni up a hill. But it also took a lot out of me and required more rest. When it became clear by Mile 40 that I wasn’t going to be able to make the full distance in time, I cut off doing the full loop to the end of the island, so I could at least finish under my own steam versus crossing the line in the trunk of a SAG car. I crossed the finish line a minute before deadline…still had some legs left, but no more time.
Day 2 was less hilly, with much of the ride winding north through the Skagit Valley farm country before looping around and returning down the coast of Bellingham Bay. My pace was quicker over the first 35 miles, with an average speed of 10.8 versus my 10.1 average for Day 1. Like Day 1, the 50/75 decision point came at about Mile 30, and I felt good so I pressed on for the 75. When I reached the next rest stop 5 miles later, however, they were already packing everything up! All the faster riders were well ahead on the 75, and all the slower riders had chosen the 50. Another tough decision…turn around, work my way back to the 50, and eventually re-unite with the main loop and other riders, or press ahead on the 75 without any food/water support for the rest of the ride. Not really much of a choice, but at least I picked up the extra 10 miles in the process. Turned out to be a good decision, because the entire return route down the coast was into a strong head wind which ranged from mildly distracting to debilitating, mostly tending to the latter. It actually felt like a 20-mile-long hill…at some points it was all I could do to maintain a pace of 8 mph. My average mph dropped from 10.8 at Mile 40 to 10.6 by the finish, which is a pretty big change after that many miles. I have to say that this last 20 miles was the single most draining ride I’ve ever done. Tougher than the hills the day before, and I felt like a giant sail in the breeze. Earlier, before the headwind started, I had been entertaining thoughts of taking a small detour before the finish so I could reach 65 miles and top my previous day’s record. But by the time I hit Main Street LaConner, all such thoughts had disappeared. Day 1 I had legs but ran out of time. Day 2 I had time, but ran out of legs.
High Points:
Riding my unicycle across the Deception Pass Bridges twice–once with a Harley escort behind me to cushion me from traffic, and once with nothing but a prayer that the truck in my rear-view had patience and a sense of humor.
Riding down main street in LaConner on Day 1 with four blocks to go and seeing my son Miles on his unicycle riding up to greet me. We crossed the finish line at 4:59 with hands linked to the deafening applause of all the riders and volunteers.
They had a bunch of Harley guys who rode the course to help out, keep cars at bay, etc. About 15 miles into Day 2 one of the tougher looking ones pulled up next to me and said “You know, you’re the baddest ass out on this course today.” I had to laugh. HE was the baddest ass on the course…I was just a dork on a unicycle.
The countless variations of “Hey Unicycle Guy!” and “Go Man Go!” that I received from the passing riders. The best comment? I was passing one of the more casual riders on a long hill and she said “Oh my livers…you go boy!” Oh my livers? 
And the biggest High Point: Raising over $3,000 to support the MS Society’s work to provide benefits to the many people affected by the disease, and to one day find a cure. I can’t express my thanks enough to all of you that supported my ride, either through direct financial contributions, or through advice, help, and encouragement.
What would I change? Probably the main thing is I’d train harder on the hills. I trained 700 miles, but I spent a lot of time climbing little shorties here near my house, which are the climbing equivalents of wind sprints compared to what was found on the actual route. I should have spent less time worrying about total mileage and a lot more time finding and riding 400-500 vertical foot, 8%-12% grades, since Day 1 strung like nine of those together. I never imagined that possibility. I think also when I ride it next year, I’ll set my sights on back-to-back 50s and just be happy with those rides, versus spending energy worrying about how to make the longer loops and stressing over every minute spent idle at a rest stop.
Thanks again for all the encouragement and support!
That’s my deviant plan any way.