A fitting image for the last post on this blog. This was the view from the Fayette County fairgrounds in Lagrange, Tx, where the MS150 riders spend Saturday night.By all accounts this was the toughest MS150 for many years. Cool temperatures and clear skies should have made for a great two days in the saddle, but the 20+mph headwinds all the way wore us all out. Saturday evening in Lagrange was fun as always, with good camaraderie and humour. Unfortunately any group of 100+ people is going to have a few snorers, and we had some champions. This made the sleeping tent sound like a farmyard and unfortunately I'd forgotten my ear plugs.
Morning came too soon and brought 40's temperatures with it. I wasn't prepared for the cold but borrowed a fleece from Kevin (fellow rider, friend and former boss) and kept warm until the start. I opted for the more challenging route through the Parks - exhilarating on the steep descents, painful on the vertiginous climbs. The rest of the ride was pretty much a straight grind into the wind, with everything hurting (feet, back, perineum..), but once we got into Austin, the adrenaline kicked in and I finished in good order. A beer, a shower and a massage left me feeling pretty good. Kevin and I rode the bus back together and he dropped me off at home, just in time for MC's birthday steak dinner and chocolate cake.
Many thanks to all my wonderfully generous sponsors - you know who you are, give yourself a pat on the back!
