Bike MS: Deception Pass Classic 2017

My quads are nicely sore and my heart is full from joining last weekend's Bike MS event. It was my first-ever organized bike ride, and first time doing a physical activity as part of a fundraiser. 

Bike MS happens all over the county throughout the year, to raise money for multiple sclerosis research and services for people living with the disease. The ride in western Washington starts in Mount Vernon, goes to Anacortes, over the Deception Pass bridge, and back for a pretty, semi-rural route.

Getting ready to ride
(All photos by Stacy R)

For more details, check out the Bike MS: Deception Pass Classic 2017 website. Here's more details from the site: 

Bike MS: Deception Pass Classic is an unforgettable, two-day journey through Skagit, Whatcom and Island Counties that will take you farther than you’ve ever gone before. What makes this ride so special? As many as 2,000 riders will cruise along scenic figure-eight courses with a start and finish at the Skagit County Fairgrounds. Full meals, generous amenities, stunning landscapes, fully stocked rest stops and spirited festivities are all included.

Your participation will drive MS research forward faster, and deliver services to those who face the challenges of MS every day so they can live their best lives.

I joined as part of a team that my work organized. We had around 20 riders, including current employees, partners, former employees, friends, and family members. Our office manager organized the team, and set up a great team tent for us. A designer from our Creative team had designed our awesome jerseys which we wore proudly, and ended up winning the Best Jersey award that evening!

The whole group before the ride

Lining up at the start line

The ride always takes place in the first half of September, so it's usually pretty warm. But this year, it felt like fall with cool temps, wind, and consistent rain. While riding, I wasn't too cold, but when I stopped at a rest area, I would get chilly. It was incentive to get back on the bike and keep going!

One of the great things about the ride is that you can pick your distance. On the first day, the options are 22, 59, 80, and 100 miles, so it really has something for every ability level. We had some team members ride the high end and low end, but the majority of us found the sweet spot at 59 miles. It was long enough to be challenging and push us, but short enough that a relatively fit person didn't have to do much (or any) training. We stuck together as a group, naturally spreading out and then waiting up at view points or rest stops. It was a fantastic feeling of camaraderie and a shared goal.

Pizza and champagne after the ride

Yeah... we were pretty tired

I already know that I want to do the ride next year. We had an amazing team and exceeded our fundraising goal of $12,000, and it will be exciting to see what 2018 will hold.