Cycling the MS-150 Bike Tour in New Bern

By Dave Wallace - 110 Portside Lane, River Bend NC

How is money raised for MS? Where does the tour go? How long is it? Why do people travel to New Bern to pedal their bike for two days? This will be my third year cycling the tour so I'll try to answer these questions:

The first problem that confronts a cyclist wanting to join the tour is how to raise money in pledges for the Multiple Sclerosis Society, which, of course, is the purpose of the tour. The NMSS would like every cyclist to get a minimum of $200 in pledges. Some cyclists find this a bit intimidating and would love to do the tour but shy away because of the $200 figure. The fact is many cyclists surprisingly end up getting more than $200. I get more than $200 but don't collect a dime before the tour since I insist my supporters wait until I cycle the tour before mailing in checks. Many cyclists are members of cycling teams organized within their company who pledges their support. My method has been to create a web page that explains what MS-150 is about, what multiple sclerosis is and why one should donate money for MS research. I then notify friends by e-mail to look at my web page and ask if they wish to make a pledge. Sponsors are listed on the web page less the amount pledged. It works. In 2001 I raised $635 and in 2002 more than doubled it to $1449. In less than a week after announcing my web page in June for the MS-150 in September I raised over $800. You can see my 2003 MS-150 web page at http://www.always-online.com/dave/2003-ms150tour.htm.

The basic MS-150 tour consists of two 75-mile loops in a figure 8 pattern starting and ending in New Bern. One loop goes east into Pamlico County and the other goes west towards Cove City and Fort Barnwell. Cyclists have an option to add an extra 25 miles to each loop to claim a 100-mile Century trip that is sort of a rite of passage for all serious cyclists. Last year I did double Century trips. It was a struggle and I made it but this year I plan to do a Century only on the first day and 75 miles on the second day. I discovered that many out-of-town cyclists are anxious to hit the road and return home so there are few century cyclists the 2nd day. It gets awful lonely out there cycling by yourself.

There are several reasons why the Multiple Sclerosis Society and cyclists love New Bern: Most MS-150 tours in the past required cyclists to go 75-miles to another town and stay overnight but the tour starts and ends in New Bern each day which everyone likes. Union Point Park, where the tour starts, is very scenic and impressive. Cyclists are allowed to pitch their tents there and facilities are available including stores and restaurants within walking distance. The new Riverfront Convention Center is impressive where registration and the evening banquet are held and historic downtown New Bern provides something to do while the entrants are off cycling for the day.

I would say that 30-40 year-olds make up most of the cyclists. Many of them wear their company jerseys and are from the Research Triangle area. I think there are about as many women as men cycling and some are tough to keep up with on the road. With over 700 cyclists you'll see all ages and all types of bicycles. Lots of tandems, recumbents, road bikes and mountain bikes and a few old fat tire no-speed bikes. I spoke to a young kid cycling all alone on his little dirt bike 15 miles out of New Bern who said he'd been 50 miles before so he figured he could do 75. Some people don't go the whole route and cycle only to the first rest stop where they get Gatorade and goodies and head back home. Rest stops are usually run by churches that MS folks have negotiated with and a church generally provides a nice buffet lunch at the halfway point. Last year we had homemade ice cream.

Each day's tour starts at Union Point Park and cyclists line up along signs indicating the speed they like to cycle. I like to start in the front so I have lots of cyclists behind me should I have to slack off drafting with the fast guys. If you want to make good time you join a group of cyclists and draft about 18" behind them. A good organized group has the front cyclists "pull" the group one mile and retire to the rear then the next cyclists take the lead. This way you move along nicely at 15-20 mph to the next rest stop. At each rest stop you stuff yourself with hi-carb bananas and wash them down with Gatorade. The last thing you want are leg cramps, generally believed to be caused by dehydration.

Want in on a secret? Get a lightweight road bike with skinny tires and drop handlebars and you'll have an edge over most cyclists on the road riding the popular mountain bikes. Did you ever see a mountain bike in the Tour De France? There's still time for you to register to ride the MS-150. Call 1-800-344-4867 or go to the Multiple Sclerosis web page at http:// www.encms.org.