Click to See My Certificate of Completion!

Sunday, August 22nd, 1999
4:30 AM - The Performance Six Pack almost didn't get rolling early Sunday morning.   None of our wake up calls came through!  (B-a-a-a-a-a-a-d Hotel Front Desk!)  Luckily, someone in each room woke up between 4:30 and 5 AM, and we began taking shifts in the bathroom.

5:45 AM - We all met in the lobby.... well, most of us did!!  :o)   We boarded a bus to Sandusky High School, and anticipated a nice pancake breakfast!

6:15 AM - After arriving at the High School, we got in line for pancakes!  Chris Cakes of Dublin, Ohio was flippin' cakes onto everyone's plates!   And were they ever worth the wait!!  Mmm... Mmm... Mmm!!  After breakfast, we checked our luggage in the trucks, and got our bikes out of the bike lockup.

6:58 AM - We rolled over the start line, and said "Goodbye" to Sandusky High School.  We met a rider that brought along his adopted Greyhound.   He fitted a child's buggy with a few pillows, and the two of them did the ride together!!

7:10 AM - I stopped at a Convenient Food Mart for some medicine. (I wasn't feeling too well after breakfast - I think I ate too much!)  I was back on the route at 7:15 AM.

7:41 AM - I rode past Rest Stop #1 - Huron, OH.  10.0 miles completed, 69.6 miles to go.

8:21 AM - I stopped at Rest Stop #2 in Berlin Heights.  This was the last time I had to stop because I wasn't feeling well - I was F-I-N-E fine after this stop!  Back on the road at 8:26 AM.  I met up with Ann on the road, and the two of us rode together until the lunch stop.

9:03 AM - Ann and I stopped at Rest Stop #3, and had a quick fruit snack, some Gatorade and a quick stretch.  I saw Todd again, and we talked a bit.   Ann and I were back on the road at 9:08 AM.

10:08 AM - Ann and I arrived at Oberlin High School.  We thought that Pleasant Street would never end!!  It was 1.4 miles to the school, and we knew the lunch stop was down there!!!  We met up with Mary, John and Todd again.   Frank had been there and gone as Mary pulled in.  He was on a mission to finish the ride in 5 hours!  I was back on the road at 10:34 AM.  43.7 miles completed, 35.9 miles to go!

11:17 AM - I rolled past RestStop #4 in Grafton, Ohio.  51.4 miles complete, 28.2 miles to go!

12:06 PM - Rest Stop #5 in Grafton, Ohio.  Most of the riders decided to make this their final stop, seeing as Rest Stop #6 was only 8 miles from the finish line.  I reloaded my water bottles and ate some grapes, making a 6 minute stop.  I was back on the road for the last time at 12:12 PM.  62.6 miles completed, 17.0 miles to go!

12:25 PM - Frank was the first rider from our team in at the Berea Fairgrounds.

12:48 PM - I rolled past Rest Stop #6 - not too many people there!!   Hmmm.... I wonder why??  Only 8.2 miles to go!  Unfortunately, Mary had some bike trouble just before this stop.  A SAG (Support And Gear) Wagon picked her up, and a bike mechanic attempted to repair her bike.  The rear wheel bearings locked up, and parts were not available.

1:24 PM - I pulled into the Berea Fairgrounds, and saw the finish line!  I pedaled hard, then reached for my camera to get a picture.  My wife Cathy and my kids Laura and Jonathan were there, cheering me on as I crossed the line!   There were also some MS volunteers there, applauding and cheering.  I also saw a few people there that have Multiple Sclerosis, some in wheel chairs, clapping for me.  That struck home pretty deep, knowing that this ride was all for them... and there they were, cheering me on...  Wow!!!

Frank was there lounging in a chair, telling me he had been there for an hour!  I gave my family some big hugs and kisses, checked in, received my Certificate of Completion, and took a ride through an open fire hose!!  Then it was off to the Massage Tents, and I found Christy... but no Dave!  Christy was working solo, and I waited a few minutes for her to finish with another rider.  She did another AWESOME job... I almost felt like riding again after that rub down... ALMOST!!!   :o)   Mary snuck up on me while I was getting massaged... and snapped a picture - hence the puzzled look on my face!!  Christi was even nice enough to pose for a pic with my kids... and mentioned that her and her boyfriend just may do the MS150 next year!!  I'll be looking for you, Christi!!  :o)   Mary also caught John on the massage tables with her camera...  Smile John!!  Just wait until next year, Mary... We'll get you back!

We then all met at the Picnic area, where Papa John's Pizza was throwing a pizza party.   It was truly an eventful weekend, and again, I am so glad that I did the ride!   I feel so good about everything... helping the MS Society, meeting a ton of new friends, and accomplishing a personal goal.

Thank You!!