Storms don't deter riders
PEQUOT LAKES - They battled the heat Monday as they rode from Alexandria to Little Falls and torrential downpours Tuesday as they rode from Little Falls to Pequot Lakes.
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But the weather had yet to deter the more than 900 bicyclists participating in the 21st annual MS Tram, a 300-mile five-day ride that raises funds for the National MS Society to fight multiple sclerosis.
MS TRAM riders pedaled north on the Paul Bunyan Trail Tuesday toward their stop in Pequot Lakes. The riders forged their way through heavy downpours during their ride from Little Falls to Pequot.Brainerd Dispatch/Steve Kohls
At times, riders said they fought against sheets of rain that made it difficult to see the Paul Bunyan Trail ahead of them. On Monday they rode 64 miles and 59 miles on Tuesday. They were expected to ride about 70 miles from Pequot Lakes to Wadena Wednesday. The weather was supposed to be clear and sunny Wednesday with temperatures between 75-80 degrees.
Riders were to then head to Fergus Falls Thursday, ending back at Alexandria on Friday.
Glenn Schultz, 75, who is riding in his 17th MS Tram ride, said the heavy rains were a nuisance but it was important to put the day's ride into perspective.
"Today was nothing compared to what people with multiple sclerosis have to deal with," said Schultz. "But it wasn't easy. It was wet and at times it was scary."
Tents were set up for TRAM riders as they arrived in Pequot Lakes during a rainstorm Tuesday.Brainerd Dispatch/Steve Kohls
Schultz, a member of the Backtrackers team, said at the first rest stop there were 350-400 riders there waiting out the rain. His team, which has 100 total members who also participate in the MS 150, had nine team members participating this year in the MS Tram. They had raised about $12,000 so far for MS Tram but also a total of about $90,000 so far this year in the fight against multiple sclerosis.
For Backtrackers team member Kris Peterson, the ride was personal. She was diagnosed with MS on May 29, 2003. This was her first MS Tram but she's participated in seven MS 150 bike events.
"It was great, I loved the trail," Peterson said of the Paul Bunyan Trail.
The storms meant that Pequot Lakes volunteers had to make many changes in their plans for hosting the bicyclists. Sue Galligan, Pequot Lakes area coordinator for the Brainerd Lakes Chamber, said the bands were forced to play inside Mayson's Grille, rather than on the outdoor stage as planned. Also, riders were bused to the Pequot Lakes High School for safety reasons at one point because of the severe storms. Many riders decided to spend Tuesday night in the school gym, rather than in a tent in Trailside Park.
Galligan said many of the area hotels were full so riders were given other options, such as staying in the AmericInn's meeting room or at the Trailside Center at the Pequot Lakes Baptist Church. Several Pequot Lakes families also opened their homes for the night to bicyclists.
"I can't believe what troopers you all are, with rain, lightning and threats of tornadoes," Galligan told bikers Tuesday night during a program.
Galligan herself planned to spend the night at the Pequot Lakes chamber building, assisting bicyclists if they needed anything during their stop in the city. She said many residents volunteered throughout the day, even those who stood along the trail and cheered for the bikers as they rode into town.
Lakes Latte planned to serve breakfast to riders Wednesday morning in Trailside Park before they set out for Wadena.
"It was a very wet day but Tram cyclists are so resilient," said Emily Wilson, director of marketing for the Minnesota MS Society. "They're just really positive and ready to have a good time. And everyone is just so welcoming and hospitable. When we go from city to city, these cities roll out the red carpet for us and make the Tram special in their own way."
There are 80 teams on MS Tram, including Pirates in Tight Pants - their take on "Pirates of Penzance" - a team made up of Twin Cities riders of all ages who dressed as pirates. Captains are Karin Lindquist and Kimberly Wilburn, both of Minnetonka. Last year they raised $21,000 and hoped to raise $30,000 this year.
""The way we're looking at it, people who suffer from MS have to live with it everyday. If we have to wear a raincoat one day, well, that's OK," Tess Hohman, a Pirate rider from Excelsior, said of riding in the rain.
Wilson said MS Tram was expected to raise about $800,000 this year.
JODIE TWEED may be reached at jodie.tweed@brainerddispatch.com or 855-5858.