August 1st:

As in years past, Sara and I take the bus on Friday from the Alliant Center in Madison and spend the night at the Super 8 near the starting line. We have always liked to get in a full night sleep with a good breakfast and not have to get up at 4:00am to catch the Saturday morning "team" bus. In addition to us, our bike was placed in a truck as well and transported to the starting line by the very competent volunteers that help with so many facets of the event. To say that the event's volunteers are important is an understatement; they really make the ride enjoyable and safe. Thanks everyone!!

Our school bus picked us up at our hotel in the morning at 6:15am and took us to the Waukesha County Technical College where we start the ride. This year our bus driver was awesome and was able to drop us off right where we pick up our bike and drop off our luggage. Unlike last year where we had to walk a 1/2 mile to get to the starting area, this year Sara was able to stay fresh and keep the steps to a minimum. I don't know the name of our bus driver, but he helped make the 1st day a success for us. Oh, and he drove like a Mexican taxi driver, we loved it!! THANK's DUDE. That seemingly simple thing means more to us than anything else. When people ask me; what is it like living with a person with MS? My answer is that for us; "it's all about reducing the number of steps".

After dropping off our bags and finding our bike, I pulled over to the Wheel and Sprocket guys for some air in the tires. These guys vacate their huge bike shop to take care of 1600+ riders on the ride. They are the best and always contribute their valuable time and efforts to keeping us going and safe. A huge thank you goes out to all the bike shops that help us keep the wheels turning. I positioned our ride at the head of the starting line and made my way back to the bleachers used to take the annual team photo's. With a team of over 130 riders, we are the only ones who max out the bleachers and then some. The photo people always need to back up considerably to get us all in the shot. It's always a fun time, and the only time we will all get together the whole weekend.

We got our pre-ride words of encouragement from Colleen Kalt (President of the Wisconsin Chapter of the MS-Society) and then the countdown to another MS-150 began. Ready, set, go, and we were off.

The 1st half of the day is fairly flat so it helps get the legs ready for the job ahead. The drizzle began after about the 1st 10 miles or so and continued for quite some time. Only about 10 minutes of actual significant rain and then back to drizzle again. We used our rain gear until the 2nd rest stop (about 30 miles) and then we could see that the rain was behind us and clouds but wind would beat us in the face the rest of the way to Whitewater. Again this year we saw 3 to 6 people riding abreast holding up traffic. I have never seen so many idiot riders in my life. I am surprised the police don't just shut us down. No respect for the fact that both bicycles and cars need to "share" the road. At each rest stop we would receive reports that complaints were being filed with police by many motorists. Our volunteers tried to keep everyone single file, but they might as well have been talking to the wall. Few were listening.

We arrived at Whitewater tired like everyone else from pushing against the wind all day. We still had a smile on our face for making the distance and climbing the hills well all day. Last year we had some problems and had to walk up a couple of the longer - steeper hills, but we vowed that we would not walk a hill on this years ride. Our recumbent tandem worked flawlessly again and it has really helped us continue to do this ride. (Thanks Dave & Rosalee) We crossed the finish line and headed straight up the hill to the bike lock-up area. On our way back down the hill to the team tent we picked up our t-shirts, promo stuff, and the coveted jerseys that show our level of fundraising for the year. At our team tent we relaxed and drank Shandies' with our fellow team-mates. After some drink, and a some food, we made our way to our dorm room to get cleaned up. This is were being part of the Sonic Streamers really pays off. Because we are the highest fundraising team we get vip baggage service. While everyone else has to pick up their bags at the transport trucks and haul them back and forth to the room, our bags were waiting for us in our dorm building. When we leave, we take our bags to the 1st floor and the baggage truck is right outside the building for an easy drop off. They will be waiting for us at Madison when we get there.

Saturday night's celebration is a great yet humbling experience. We drank a couple of beers and renewed friendships made in past years. The party is also time for the MS-Society to recognize and honor special individuals/teams as well as the volunteers that help to make this event happen. Chuck Sherwinski was again honored as the events top individual fundraiser with over $65,000 raised. Thanks Chuck for the effort you make to help fund a cure for MS. You are truly an inspiration for all of us. Our many volunteers were honored as well and with good reason, they work tirelessly so we can concentrate on riding. Sara and I make a point to thank each and everyone that we meet along the way.

Colleen Kalt did her usual great job with all the awards and special recognitions and is a wonderful speaker and advocate for the cause. One moment that always is big is when she asks for all the people who have MS to take the stage and be recognized. This is a very emotional walk for Sara. It's hard to hide her emotions when 1600+ people are on their feet for 5 minutes straight giving a standing ovation. This is when all of us see for whom and why we ride. Sara is one of the few still able to ride the MS-150 although on a tandem. The ride for her is very difficult, but it is necessary and makes her feel good to work hard during training and then accomplish the goal. It's her measure that she has made it thru another year. We remain ever hopeful that a cure for this disease is near.

August 2nd:

The dorm rooms are cramped and hot with no air conditioning. Everyone who has done this ride in the past has brought a fan along to help. The beds are like a rock and no-one ever gets in a "good" night sleep. Sunday morning we try to get up early and get going. We munch on the continental breakfast put on by our team and head to the bike lock-up area to retrieve our ride. An early start is critical for Sara. Heat brings on symptoms. Every mile we can get in before it gets hot is the difference between finishing and not. For the first 10 miles or so our legs let us know this is not a good idea. After that things seem to get better and the body adjusts to another day in the saddle. One thing we find particularly nice on the recumbent is that you seem to see more of the surrounding scenery. On a normal bike you are positioned to effectively look at the ground most of the time. On a recumbent, you get the big picture. It is almost like sitting in the car with the arm out the window checking out the sights. The beautiful countryside, small towns, people out of their houses waving and cheering us on really makes this a wonderful ride. As you can see from the photo below, Sara's ability to ride without holding on makes her our official waver, turn signaler, and map reader; and how about that smile!!

If there is one other thing that makes this ride so great it's the rest stops. Each stop revolves around a different theme and the snacks and drinks are always tasty. The lunch stop is my favorite. The MS-Society along with all the volunteers do such a wonderful job of taking care of all our needs with a big smile and a "good job, you are almost there" thrown in to keep us pushing on.

This year we went back to coming into Madison from the South-East instead of going thru the City of Madison. That made for a more worry free ride to the finish line. The 2nd half of Sunday was especially hilly, but we managed just fine.

The finish line is an experience that is hard to describe. The emotions that come after a long ride and then seeing all the people at the finish is difficult to put into words. Seeing and hearing all the cheering from the crowd welcoming us as we crossed the finish line is just simply the best reward we could ever get for our efforts. Mom, Dad, Duane, Gary, Colleen thanks for being there at the finish line it means so much to us to have your support. Rosie & Samantha, thanks for giving up some of your time so generously to support this fight for your sister & aunt. To all of you, your support and love ride with us always.

Heading for home - finish line is only 100 feet away and always a joyous site!

Well, time to load up the bike and make our way home. The ride home is always a quiet one as we reflect on our sore legs, our fellow cyclists, and the accomplishment of what we have just done.

Thanks again to all our supporters and sponsors. Sara and I raised a total of $6,662.50 and our team the Sonic Streamers totaled $121,388.93 to put toward MS research and support programs right here in Wisconsin. We couldn't have done it without you!

MS-150 Best Dam Bike Ride - 2010 is August 7th & 8th. See you all there!

Mike & Sara Olah