A week from today, I'm bussing up to Duluth, from Century College in White Bear Lake, Minn., to the starting point of the MS 150. I'll camp out overnight, then begin my journey from the City on the Hill to the City of the Mill. It's 150 miles of biking split between Saturday and Sunday — all to support the Upper Midwest MS Society and its brawl with multiple sclerosis. I've never biked for a better purpose.
How do I feel, a week out from this undertaking? Pretty great, my column-reading friends. Though I only just signed up, I feel like I've been training for the MS 150 since November, when, for this new job of mine, I first began commuting between Minneapolis and downtown St. Paul on my bike. I've biked somewhere every day, at least a little bit, since April 1, with a mix of gigantic rides and shortie jaunts. My butt's well accustomed to my saddle. My body is conditioned to biking long distances. I've done centuries before, including during the Powderhorn 24 and the Ironman Ride, so the distance isn't too daunting. But it'll still be a challenge.
What I'm mostly looking forward to, is two unfettered days of bicycling. Out there on the roads, freed from the worries of my daily life. With my girlfri-ancee and the MS 150 team I've joined, the BAOBs (Badasses on Bikes). Know for sure that I will give you my post-ride report, including the lessons I learned.
