(Updated October 16, 2010) . . . Mike did not reach his goal in 2009. He made up for it in September of 2010. He raised $2,180.00 U.S. dollars for the Multiple Sclerosis North Jersey Metro Chapter. He is so happy on the amount he raised. Some people wallets was a bit tight. Still Mike got donations. His bike number for this tour was #338.

       Ready to hear about how Mike did in his 19th time (18th year) in the MS 100 bike tour. Here we go!!

     On Sept. 1st, 2010 . . . . Mike recieved the BIGGEST single donation he ever received. A $1,000 check donation for Multiple Sclerosis. Wow!! Brought Mike up to his main goal. Then Mike decided to aim higher for $2,000 for the first time in this September "Great New Jersey Country Bike Ride".
     Early September 2010 . . . Mike used his gift certificate to order tires for his good bicycle. Which came in on the morning of the bike tour. Thank You High Gear Cyclery for the awesome tires.
     Sept. 25th . . . Mike woke up after 5:15am saturday morning. Then his mother woke up a short time later. Mike prepared himself for the bike tour. Mike and his mother left a short time later. Did not get lost this time around. Made it to the start area by 6:45am. Had clouds in the sky and not that cool out. not many people around yet. Signed up and put his bag on the truck. His mom did help put bike number on his jersey. She said good luck and have a safe ride. Mike saw a few friends near the start line. Mike waited for the tires.
     After a few words and putting our hands over our heart for this great country. The tour began at 8:00am. The teams went off the start line first. Mike left 8:05am. Because of the new tires. It was sunny and warm out when Mike left the start line.

• Caught up to the back main group after cycling at a high rate of speed. Made it to Rest Stop 1. Which is Chatham Twp. Municipal Area at 8:47am. Some clouds out. TM (Ride Time): 00:40:40, DST (Distance): 11.12, MX (Max Speed): 28.7, AVG (average speed): 16.7mph.
• Before reaching rest stop #2. Almost rode on a red ADA bike tour route. Plus there was a Firemen Fair in the area.
• Reached Rest Stop #2 at Liberty Corner School at 9:47am with sun and clouds. Met new riders that like the bike tour so far. TM: 1:38:06, DST: 23.51, AVG: 15.6mph.
• Took photos before reaching rest stop #3 lunch.
• Reached Rest Stop #3 Liberty Park. LUNCH TIME!! Came in at 10:51am with more sun in the sky. Had a good lunch, chat with friends and took photos. Even played a contest that WDHA did. TM: 2:05:01, MX: 30.8mph, DST: 31.89, AV: 15.3mph. Left lunch finally at 11:51am.
• Rest Stop #4 Mendham Twp. Municipal Area at 12:43pm with sun and warm. This is the last rest stop of the day. TM: 2:49:39, MX: 32.6mph, AV: 14.6mph, DST: 41.20. This is after a the hardest climb of the climb by a white church.
• Warm and sunny at the finish. Which is at the Parsippany Hilton in Parsippany, NJ. 2:00pm on the nose. Wow!! TM: 3:42:22, MX: 32.6mph, DST: 53.82, AV: 14.5mph.

     The first thing Mike did was to check in. Send a text to his mother to say he finished. Took a few photos. Mike found a MS flag before the last rest stop. Gave it to Mary Beth. Gave Mike a shirt for finding the shirt. Then Mike went to check infor his room. Found out he has a room to himself. ya-hooo!!! Took shower and dressed. Went out to meet his mother, her boyfriend, Rob and Norma for the outdoor BBQ. Had a good time talking and enjoying the food. Mike back to his room to relax a bit. Then to diningroom to eat. Listen to the speeches, hear who won special awards and winner of the High Gear raffle. Then 2 comedians came out to make us all laugh. Then Mike went into the indoor pool to relax. Then got his french fries and gone ot his room to watch tv for awhile. Then off to bed.

     Sept. 26th . . . A wake up phone call came at 6:00 am. Mike felt like not getting up. Soon as he did. He was in motion and did not stop moving. Mike packed up. Got his stuff already to roll out the door. Got done to the main floor. Soon he parked his bicycle. He felt like throwing up. Had throw up feeling in his throat a few times. So he kept to himself. Ate breakfast. Heard a few short speeches for the bike tour. Called his mother that he leaving shortly. Dropped off his big bag. Pump up his tires. Took off at 8:05am again. M. Cloudy and a bit cooler this morning. The throw up feeling went away after getting onto the bicycle. Whew !!! A short while after leaving the second day start. Soon Mike got onto Route 10. A cyclist coming towards him. A lady passed out on the road round the corner. Mike about to call MS emergency office number. But 2 local police cars raced down the street to the scene already. When Mike reached the scene. The lady was covered with a jacket and moving.

• Reached Rest Stop #1 Mendham Municipal Twp. Area at 8:55am. Chat with a few people. Asked Jen Hivry if the pady that passed out is okay. The lady will be fine she said. TM: 00:47:55, MS: 25.3mph, DST: 11.93, AV: 14.9mph.
• Reached Rest Stop Stp #2 Far Hills Railroad Station at 9:55am with Sun and Clouds. Saw this blue like SUV with 2 shorts or boxers attached to the back. LOL !! Mike told the 2 ladies i nthe car and they laughed about it. TM: 1:35:33, DST: 23.68, AV: 14.8mph, MX: 31.6mph.
• At the small airport. Saw a yellow plane and a blimp fly over me. Also saw a prop plane fly right over my head. Going to the airport for a landing. To bad Mike did not have a camera out in time for that.
• Reached Rest Stop #3 Pluckemin Park Pavilion at 11:14am. LUNCH TIME!! Took photos, chat and ate lunch. Met this teenager name Mike. Had a shirt that said Nike. Met him the first day and chat. Had lunch today and chat away. Did some texting. Tried to win a prize at a radio station table. TM: 2:28:40, MX: 316mph, AV: 15.1mph, DST: 37.48. Some clouds in the sky. Left lunch at 12:05pm.
• Rest Stop #4 at Millington Train Station at 12:55pm with cloudy skies. Saw a father cycling with his daughter. With one of them bike attachment. Where she peddles also. Also had the chance to sit in a low rider bicycle. Got photos of that. TM: 3:12:32, DST: 46.81, MX: 33.6mph, AV: 14.5mph.
• Made it to the finish line at 445 Southgate St at 2:15pm. Wow !!! Cloudy outside. A few peaks of sun and warm. Took photos at the finish line. Was happy to make it for another year. TM: 4:03:37, MX: 33.6mph, AV: 14.5mph, DST: 59.06.

     After Mike reached the finish line. He signed in and got his medal for finishing the tour. Called his mother that he made it. You can hear music and see a food tent right after the finish area. Then he got his bag, walked to the food tent to get food and relexed. Around 3:00pm, some rain drops with the sun and clouds. Chat with a few friends a took photos along the way. Then everyone left. Mike's mother came and left after 3:30pm.

      Mike Final word . . . It was a good ride this year. Had a close call with a dark blue SUV on the first day. The dark blue SUV crossed over the double yellow line from the ooppsite direction from a small bridge. Had a BBQ with my mother and her boyfriend and pluss 2 more awesome friends. More food with a speech, raffle winner annouced and comedy show. Then I went swimming. Sunday was worrysome with a lady passing out on the course. The lady okay. Thank goodness!! Made a few new friends. Saw 2 bathingsuit or boxers attached to back of a car. Which was funny. It was dry ride with more sun then clouds the whole weekend. MS officals are happy that I have been cycling and help raise money for Multiple Sclerosis for 20 years and did what I do. I am very happy on the amount I raised for MS September tour.
     I could not use my digital camera. I bought a camera in late 2008 to use mostly for MS bike tours. Sometimes other special occassions. It diedo n me August 2010. Wind up borrowing my friend Scott W. old sigital camera. Thank You Scott.
     Raised a NEW personal high of $2,180.00 for the MS New Jersey Metro Chapter. Never thought I reach the $2,000 mark for this part of the year. Thanks to those that did donate this year. Mike says . . it was a good year. Even though everyone wallet was tight. Hope it better next year. Hope this last another 20 more years or the legs falls off. LOL !!

       Would like to thank my mom, FMBA #29, Some friends that are members of CoffeeCup.com, Algeri's Pizza, Nicolette's Auto Body, Cabrina's in Nutley, Applegate Farm, Irwin W. Folk foundation for their huge support, Chandelier, Lil Burger in Nutley, Bell Paese, Motorcycle Mall, Nutley Shop Rite, and some friends of Belleville & Nutley. Support from Scout Troop #364, close friends and family members, again . . . my mother for driving me to and me home from the MS-100 tour for 20 years.

       If you like to learn more about this MS chapter. Please go to New Jersey Metro Chapter (Office located in Paramus, NJ and Oakhurst, NJ) for more information.