Live, Love, Ride
Live, Love, Ride
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2025 Ride to Eliminate Multiple Sclerosis
2025 Ride to Eliminate Multiple Sclerosis
I completed the MS ride on Saturday 09.06 - 126km (78miles) in 6 hours and 1 second of ride time (excludes breaks) on my fixed gear bike (pictured at the top of the page) on a beautiful sunny day. Maybe a bit too much sun :-)) But we had a cool start and it did not get ridiculously warm as it has during some past years. My daughter rode with me - her 3rd ride for MS, her first 75mile ride, and her longest ride ever!!
I completed the MS ride on Saturday 09.06 - 126km (78miles) in 6 hours and 1 second of ride time (excludes breaks) on my fixed gear bike (pictured at the top of the page) on a beautiful sunny day. Maybe a bit too much sun :-)) But we had a cool start and it did not get ridiculously warm as it has during some past years. My daughter rode with me - her 3rd ride for MS, her first 75mile ride, and her longest ride ever!!
My odometer shows 125.64km (78.07miles) for the ride!!
My odometer shows 125.64km (78.07miles) for the ride!!
Was a lovely ride out of New Bern starting at 08:00 over the big bridge (with no traffic but us bikes :-)), through Grantsboro, Bayboro, and Merritt. Then way out to River Dunes for our lunch break (at 10:30,lol), then back through Oriental, Arapahoe, back up to Grantsboro, and back to New Bern. Such beautiful countryside! And we are tired!!
Was a lovely ride out of New Bern starting at 08:00 over the big bridge (with no traffic but us bikes :-)), through Grantsboro, Bayboro, and Merritt. Then way out to River Dunes for our lunch break (at 10:30,lol), then back through Oriental, Arapahoe, back up to Grantsboro, and back to New Bern. Such beautiful countryside! And we are tired!!
Thanks to your support, I raised almost $2,500. Thank you so much, from me and from all those who live with MS.
Thanks to your support, I raised almost $2,500. Thank you so much, from me and from all those who live with MS.
It's not too late to help!
It's not too late to help!
If you haven't contributed, please consider helping me get to $2,500. Please help create a world without Multiple Sclerosis by donating through my personal fundraising page (2025) with the National MS Society.
If you haven't contributed, please consider helping me get to $2,500. Please help create a world without Multiple Sclerosis by donating through my personal fundraising page (2025) with the National MS Society.
Next year will be my 25th ride for MS - you will hear from me :-))
Next year will be my 25th ride for MS - you will hear from me :-))
Again, thank you all so much!
Again, thank you all so much!
This is a personal effort, not sponsored, endorsed, or supported by NC State University.
This is a personal effort, not sponsored, endorsed, or supported by NC State University.
See also conflict of interest statement in grey box further down - NO contributions from current students, please.
See also conflict of interest statement in grey box further down - NO contributions from current students, please.
** If it's going to rain all day on both official ride days, I will not do the ride because I feel it is too dangerous to ride on an open course (i.e., with traffic) all day in rainstorms. Predictions of occasional showers or afternoon thunderstorms will not prevent me riding. If I am rained out, I will do my own 75 mile ride by mid October. I appreciate your understanding. I also don't deal with the heat as well as I used to. So if it's getting into the upper 90s, I'm limiting to 50 miles on ride day. If that happens, I will do another 50 miles on another day by mid October.
Note: Because of potential conflict of interest, I cannot knowingly accept support from any of my current students or advisees, or students who will be taking any of my classes in the future. (Past students are fair game!)
2024 Ride
2024 Ride
This was my 23rd year riding. I rode with my daughter again this year on the 50-mile route. With riding from and to her apartment, we made 103k (64 miles) - a pretty good day! Next year ... 75!!
This was my 23rd year riding. I rode with my daughter again this year on the 50-mile route. With riding from and to her apartment, we made 103k (64 miles) - a pretty good day! Next year ... 75!!
It wasn't supposed to rain, but it did. We were lucky and missed most of it because we hit the lunch stop (at 10AM, lol) just as the rain started and stayed 45 minuntes until it quit. But when we left, the temperature had dropped quite a bit and we were both shivering, almost uncontrolably. Lucky for us, there was a Dollar General on our path and we went in hoping for a sweatshirt. No such luck, so instead we bought 2 pairs of socks and made arm warmers out of them. Wow, what a huge help!
It wasn't supposed to rain, but it did. We were lucky and missed most of it because we hit the lunch stop (at 10AM, lol) just as the rain started and stayed 45 minuntes until it quit. But when we left, the temperature had dropped quite a bit and we were both shivering, almost uncontrolably. Lucky for us, there was a Dollar General on our path and we went in hoping for a sweatshirt. No such luck, so instead we bought 2 pairs of socks and made arm warmers out of them. Wow, what a huge help!
Fundraising was not as good as I'd wanted :-(( Start earlier, push harder next time.
Fundraising was not as good as I'd wanted :-(( Start earlier, push harder next time.
2023 Ride
2023 Ride
I rode with my daughter this year - her first ride - so we did the 30mile ride on Saturday. With back and forth to her apartment, plus some extra sight-seeing at the end, we wound up at 70km (43.5mi), so a pretty good day! The rains held off and it was an enjoyable ride.
I rode with my daughter this year - her first ride - so we did the 30mile ride on Saturday. With back and forth to her apartment, plus some extra sight-seeing at the end, we wound up at 70km (43.5mi), so a pretty good day! The rains held off and it was an enjoyable ride.
To make up for my short ride on Saturday, I rode the full Neuse River Trail on Friday 09.15. 121.1km (75.2mi). It was a beautiful day and a wonderful ride.
To make up for my short ride on Saturday, I rode the full Neuse River Trail on Friday 09.15. 121.1km (75.2mi). It was a beautiful day and a wonderful ride.
Milburnie Falls, start
Milburnie Falls, start
Clayton Municipal Park, south end
Clayton Municipal Park, south end
Falls Dam, north end
Falls Dam, north end
Milburnie Falls, finish
Milburnie Falls, finish
2022 Ride
2022 Ride
$1,735 Raised in 2022, exceeding my goal of $1,500!
$1,735 Raised in 2022, exceeding my goal of $1,500!
I just completed my 21st year of riding the MS 150, an annual fundrasing event in support of the National MS Society's misson to create a world without MS.
I just completed my 21st year of riding the MS 150, an annual fundrasing event in support of the National MS Society's misson to create a world without MS.
Saturday was a washout, too dangerous to ride (my opinion) so I didn't. The prediction for Sunday was grim, but I decided to stay in New Bern and crossed my fingers.
Saturday was a washout, too dangerous to ride (my opinion) so I didn't. The prediction for Sunday was grim, but I decided to stay in New Bern and crossed my fingers.
Sunday morning was very nice with no signs of rain, though it was predicted to arrive early afternoon. So I decided to go. I was going to ride a metric Century -100k - by adding on after finishing the 50mile ride but the skies opened up 5 minutes from the finish line. Wound up with 90k (56mi) on my fixed gear bike.
Sunday morning was very nice with no signs of rain, though it was predicted to arrive early afternoon. So I decided to go. I was going to ride a metric Century -100k - by adding on after finishing the 50mile ride but the skies opened up 5 minutes from the finish line. Wound up with 90k (56mi) on my fixed gear bike.
Because it was 09.11, I observed moments of silence, as I did last year, at 08:46 (impact at north tower), 09:03 (impact at south tower), 09:37 (impact at Pentagon), 10:03 (impact in Shanksville, PA).
Because it was 09.11, I observed moments of silence, as I did last year, at 08:46 (impact at north tower), 09:03 (impact at south tower), 09:37 (impact at Pentagon), 10:03 (impact in Shanksville, PA).
2021 Ride
2021 Ride
Fantastic ride on a crisp, blue-sky September morning, which made memories of 2001 even more poignant. Rode 120.83km (75.1mi) in 4:30 for my 20th MS ride, met some nice people, and saw some of our beautiful state. Drank water more frequently and in smaller doses than on my dehydration-plagued Raven Rock ride three weeks ago. Plus it turns out that lower temperatures really do help - who knew?
Fantastic ride on a crisp, blue-sky September morning, which made memories of 2001 even more poignant. Rode 120.83km (75.1mi) in 4:30 for my 20th MS ride, met some nice people, and saw some of our beautiful state. Drank water more frequently and in smaller doses than on my dehydration-plagued Raven Rock ride three weeks ago. Plus it turns out that lower temperatures really do help - who knew?
So far have raised $1,335 of my $1,500 goal. It's not over yet, so still working to reach that goal! Please help if you can.
So far have raised $1,335 of my $1,500 goal. It's not over yet, so still working to reach that goal! Please help if you can.
Thanks so much to all who supported the National MS Society through my ride - much appreciated!!
Thanks so much to all who supported the National MS Society through my ride - much appreciated!!
Wow, 2021 will be my 20th year of riding the MS 150. And it looks like we're going to be doing the ride in New Bern this year, Delta Variant permitting!
Wow, 2021 will be my 20th year of riding the MS 150. And it looks like we're going to be doing the ride in New Bern this year, Delta Variant permitting!
My plan is to ride 75 miles on Saturday 09.11 with Sunday as a rain backup date.
My plan is to ride 75 miles on Saturday 09.11 with Sunday as a rain backup date.
Of course, 09.11 is an infamous day and this is the 20th anniversary of the 2001 terrorist attack. I will observe moments of silence at 08:46 (impact at north tower), 09:03 (impact at south tower), 09:37 (impact at Pentagon), 10:03 (impact in Shanksville, PA).
Of course, 09.11 is an infamous day and this is the 20th anniversary of the 2001 terrorist attack. I will observe moments of silence at 08:46 (impact at north tower), 09:03 (impact at south tower), 09:37 (impact at Pentagon), 10:03 (impact in Shanksville, PA).
Please support the National MS Society in it's mission to eliminate multiple sclerosis by donating through my personal fundraising page.
Please support the National MS Society in it's mission to eliminate multiple sclerosis by donating through my personal fundraising page.
2020 Ride
2020 Ride
Ride completed!! As you can imagine, the actual 2020 ride was cancelled because of the C-19 pandemic, so I made up my own. On Friday 3 October, I rode 164km (102mi) on the Neuse River Trail in Raleigh. My friend and cycling companion, Steve, not only joined me but talked me into turning the ride into a century - I was only going to do 75mi. Glad he did, because it had been several years since either of us did a century.
Ride completed!! As you can imagine, the actual 2020 ride was cancelled because of the C-19 pandemic, so I made up my own. On Friday 3 October, I rode 164km (102mi) on the Neuse River Trail in Raleigh. My friend and cycling companion, Steve, not only joined me but talked me into turning the ride into a century - I was only going to do 75mi. Glad he did, because it had been several years since either of us did a century.
2019 Ride
2019 Ride
End of the ride on 7 September.
That's 75.41 miles.
Help me crack the top 100.
End of the backup ride on 11 August ... 75.2 miles
In 2018, I rode again for Ginny Grisez (since 2015), a friend's sister who suffers from Multiple Sclerosis and, for the first time, NC State University colleague Jennifer Garrett.
In 2018, I rode again for Ginny Grisez (since 2015), a friend's sister who suffers from Multiple Sclerosis and, for the first time, NC State University colleague Jennifer Garrett.
After 75 hot, humid miles in 2018.
After 75 hot, humid miles in 2018.
Other Cool Bicycle Stuff
Other Cool Bicycle Stuff
Hess, GR & MN Peterson. 2015. “Bicycles May Use Full Lane” Signage Communicates U.S. Roadway Rules and Increases Perception of Safety. PLoS ONE 10(8): e0136973. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0136973.
Hess, GR & MN Peterson. 2015. “Bicycles May Use Full Lane” Signage Communicates U.S. Roadway Rules and Increases Perception of Safety. PLoS ONE 10(8): e0136973. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0136973.
Key messages ... “Bicycles May Use Full Lane” signage was the most consistently comprehended device for communicating the message that bicyclists may occupy the travel lane and also increased perceptions of safety. “Share the Road” signage did not increase comprehension or perceptions of safety. Shared Lane Markings fell somewhere between. “Bicycles May Use Full Lane” signage showed notable increases in comprehension among novice bicyclists and private motor vehicle commuters, critical target audiences for efforts to promote bicycling in the USA. Although limited in scope, our survey results are indicative and suggest that Departments of Transportation consider replacing “Share the Road” with “Bicycles May Use Full Lane” signage, possibly combined with Shared Lane Markings, if the intent is to increase awareness of roadway rights and responsibilities.
Key messages ... “Bicycles May Use Full Lane” signage was the most consistently comprehended device for communicating the message that bicyclists may occupy the travel lane and also increased perceptions of safety. “Share the Road” signage did not increase comprehension or perceptions of safety. Shared Lane Markings fell somewhere between. “Bicycles May Use Full Lane” signage showed notable increases in comprehension among novice bicyclists and private motor vehicle commuters, critical target audiences for efforts to promote bicycling in the USA. Although limited in scope, our survey results are indicative and suggest that Departments of Transportation consider replacing “Share the Road” with “Bicycles May Use Full Lane” signage, possibly combined with Shared Lane Markings, if the intent is to increase awareness of roadway rights and responsibilities.
Hess, GR. 2016. Why Bicyclists Ride Like they Do: A Quick Guide for Curious Motorists. On the BikeWalkNC website.
Hess, GR. 2016. Why Bicyclists Ride Like they Do: A Quick Guide for Curious Motorists. On the BikeWalkNC website.
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