MS-150, June 2006

CVV MS-150 Adventures (John Johnston)

I completed both days of this year's MS-150. All but a portion of the first day was spent riding with Chris & Nathan Hult.

The first day's time was just under 5 hours in the saddle with an average speed for 75 miles of 15.4 mph, the second day was faster (much to our surprise) at 15.6 mph. I suspect the route the first day was only 70 miles, so this was technically the MS-145. We had starting temperatures in the mid-50's that rose to 90 degrees at the finish both days.

Day one was pretty routine, but quite HOT in the afternoon. So hot that sunscreen was burned off before noon and had to be reapplied.

The second day we started right out at 07:30 to Hyrum and into Blacksmith Fork Canyon in an effort to beat the headwind but we lost that battle and had a headwind most of the climb but the "down" was exciting -- but for one mishap. I was leading our group of four at fairly high speed, looked back to see if my the group was still together and briefly lost control, swerving off the road......into a shallow gravel and rock filled drainage ditch.....but maintained control and got back on the road but not before I blew a rear tire tube......it was a 3 minute delay to change it and then "off again".


The "Name Panel" that I made for my riding Jersey with the names of my sponsor's friends and family that have MS.....I rode for them.


The starting line at the County Fairgrounds.......I was near the front of a 2600 rider crowd.


All of the Veloists we could find at the end of a long 2nd day.
(Left to right: John Johnston, Chris Hult, Nathan Hult, Brian Diamond)