MDM’s Kari Scott rides in the Jack Daniel's "Bike to Jack and Back" to help raise over $600k for MS!
When John Nelson from Tennessee Commerce Bank (TCB), called and asked me if I wanted to participate in a bike ride and meet new people, I said "absolutely!" "What do you have in mind?" As he was putting my name on a list, he started to explain the ride in further detail. "It's called The Jack & Back, we will all get together at 6am on Sat, October 2 and ride our bikes 75 miles to Lynchburg, TN, have a party at Jack Daniels Distillery and camp out in tents." My mind must have been reeling at the magnitude of what he just said, because I obviously didn't hear him say that we would also be riding our bikes back to Franklin the next morning, before I said, "I think I might be able ride that far"... And that was it! I was committed to not 75 miles, but 150 miles on a hard seat, attached to a carbon frame with two wheels and pedals and no room for a motor. The farthest I had ever ridden for fun was 45 miles.
We started training about 2 months before the ride - my life consisted of work and training. We would start our rides at 5am to beat the oppressive Tennessee summer heat. October came quickly, and I was as ready as I was ever going to be.
The starting line was full of pomp and circumstance with hundreds cheering us on. I told one of my team members, "I'm gonna need a whole lot of cheering and a stiff drink to get me there." It was 40 degrees. We hit our first hill or should I say a mini Mount Everest right out of the gate. "I must be out of my freakin' mind," I thought. Slowly but surely, I made it up the hill without falling over or puking, and that gave me hope to keep going. There were several stops where we could grab a bite and meet new people. As the day wore on, the sun came out and I was actually having fun. Our team crossed the finish line together and promptly ran for the TCB Team Tent and grabbed a beer or Rum Smoothie after checking in our bikes.
The "Party on the Hill" was sponsored by Jack Daniels and we all had a great time eating BBQ, playing horse shoes and drinking Jack. I made sure to go easy on the Jack because I didn't need to be riding back to Franklin with a hangover, and my pride would never allow me to take the SAG wagon the rest of the way. We all had a blast and raised a lot of money for the National Multiple Sclerosis Society. I was grateful for all who supported me, because their generosity put me at "VIBE" status, thus getting me a free massage.
We were in camp and in our sleeping bags around 11:30pm. 5am came quickly! I looked like a worm trying to get my cycling gear on it total darkness without leaving my bag. It was so cold that night I put my gear in my bag with me to keep it warm. In hindsight, I guess I should have just slept in it. Anyway, I was finally able to get my gear on and my first priority after that was to get to the cafeteria for coffee. Everyone looked like a bunch of zombies around the coffee pot and were questioning our judgment about getting back on bikes in cold windy weather and riding 75 miles back. We just kept reminding ourselves, the fun we had the day before, and what we were doing this for.
The ride back was cold, headwinds were harsh and the sun didn’t decide to come out that day. Every time the cold wind just about blew us off our bikes or we encountered a mammoth hill, it took everything we had to continue. Yet, we were still laughing and making jokes because we were in it together. I have to admit that the last 15 miles were the hardest for me and I seriously wondered if I could finish. But about the time I was considering a retreat, we started encountering various people who were suffering from MS or had a loved one or friend with MS, standing by the road along our path, cheering us on and thanking us for what we were doing.
I don’t know anyone with MS, but the strength and suffering of those thanking us gave me the inspiration to keep going. It was an emotional 15 miles and then it was over. I had finished. My butt hurt, my legs were cramping and I couldn’t feel my face, but I had fun! I got to meet new people, do something I’ve never done and help others. What a great way to end the summer.
Don’t be surprised if you receive an e-mail or a call from me around July of next year, asking you to “pony up the dough” and sponsor me so I can do it all over again.
150 miles and 1,900 people. Our team raised approximately $7,500.00, and together all teams raised over $600,000. So, join us next year! We would love to have you on the team. But, if you can’t, you can always be a part of something greater, by sponsoring someone to ride, or if you would like to learn more about how you can help the National Multiple Sclerosis Society, go to http://www.nationalmssociety.org/index.aspx
Michael and I have always looked for opportunities for Mad Dancer to help when there is a need. We love it, and we have been honored to be part of several charitable operations over the years. We have been blessed with the opportunity to provide Christmas meals for orphans, teachers and staff in Moldova, assisting mobile clinics in the Ukraine, and helping feed and clothe Biloxi, Mississippi residents following Hurricane Katrina. So, let us know of events we can be a part of. But if it involves the potential for a sore butt and not being able to walk straight for a week, it’s Michael’s turn.
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