Tour to Bike MS: Stuff to think about

I’m going to be scarce, and these posts are going to be short, for a while.  That’s because we’re in the final run up to the annual Tour of Faith charity ride.  There’s a vicious lot to do before the ride goes, and I have a lot of those tasks to perform.

If you are planning to do this, LET ME KNOW NOW!!!  Do this by email to The.Road.Dragon@gmail.com

Bike MS ~ Housekeeping:  Some of us are incorporating a touring concept around this year’s Bike MS Cox Atlanta Ride, in Pine Mountain.  The idea is that we ride down to the event, do the two day event, and ride back.  This has implications.

Consideration 1)  Getting your “stuff” there and back:  There are a lot of strategies for this one. 

Talk someone else into transporting it.

Load your bike and do it yourself.

Let’s talk about what you will want to transport.  You will need riding clothes for three days.  (You get the first day for free by wearing it.)  Casual, off bike clothing for three evenings.  Toiletries.  Food and beverage items for the cabin.  Your riding supplies for the four days of biking.

I want to have a fairly light bike to ride, so I’m planning to use my trailer to haul my stuff down there.

Consideration 2) Lodging:  We’ll tackle that one offline.  Either make your own arrangements, or contact me.  If you want to get into a group booking, you must contact me this week (27 July through 30 July).

Consideration 3) Local Transport:  This should be kind of obvious, but…  If you ride a bike to get to the event, you are going to be riding a bike to and from your lodgings, and to dinner, shopping, etc.  I’ll be booking a chalet that is about three miles from the Bike MS location in Callaway, and about 3.5 miles from “downtown” Pine Mountain.  Your bike will be your transport to and from these things.  You might want to think about that, and to consider bringing some lights along too.

One last possible stuff transporting strategy:  You could persuade someone else to carry your stuff down there.  That gets it there, but they will likely be leaving on Sunday, and you won’t be going out until Monday morning.  Consider mailing your luggage home.  There is a US Post Office in Pine Mountain.  You could plan to package your used luggage, and take it to the Post Office on Monday morning.