BikeMS Volunteer Event

It was a cool morning that greeted our intrepid group of VMUG Volunteers as they set out to Basehor, KS to staff a pair of rest stations along the Century Route for the Bike MS: Kansas City 2014 area ride.

Bike MS passes through the Kansas City Metro into the back roads of Kansas’ finest countryside. The routes include fully-stocked rest stops every 10-15 miles, a great lunch stop on Saturday and safety provided by volunteer EMT’s, HAM radio operators, the police department and bicycle repair from our partner bike shops. We will conclude the day at South Park in Lawrence, KS, where you will be treated to a fun Gears & Grooves Festival featuring massages, musical entertainment, food and Boulevard beer. Everyone is up early on Sunday for a free pancake breakfast by Chris Cakes and on the road where the route heads you back to Olathe, KS for a finish line celebration and a great feeling of accomplishment.

After dividing assignments for staffing the second rest area (south of Tonganoxie, KS), the two teams preped their rest station to serve the ~400 riders that would pass by.

Staffing a rest station consisted of prepping edibles—trail mix, bananas, oranges and peanut butter and jelly sandwiches—and keeping water & Gatorade mix handy for the riders. Additionally, visiting with the riders and checking on their general condition—the Basehor rest stop was ~67 miles into the ride, while the Tonganoxie stop was ~86 miles—as well as providing encouragement was part of the duties.

Although there were some headwinds to fight, the riders had some of the best weather a September weekend could offer.

KC VMUG would like to acknowledge the following folks—members, family & friends—that helped us pull off this activity:

Aaron, Ben & Nate Spiegel
Chris Hildebrant
Chris Keithly
Colin Pestinger
Denise Decker
Jim Millard
Kourtney Dierking
Kyle O’Mara
Kylie Couvelha
Rachel Tinsley
Stephanie Parker