This was my second year to do this ride and what a difference a year makes! I was planning on doing the long route, last year I did the 40 mile route and had a blast.

I arrived in Muenster at about 10am, got my bike ready and headed to the start line. I meet up with Danny and Michelle at the start, chatted with them for a bit and then noticed the menacing clouds off to the west. Just prior to the start the weather was fine, it was a little chilly with Overcast skies and a slight wind out to the South.

When the ride started the weather quickly deteriorated. The Temperature dropped, the rain started to fall and wind the really picked up. Two miles in, the wind was blowing so hard I could barely stay on my bike.... 30 mph sustained cross wind, with 41 mph gusts.

After watching three people literally get blown off there bikes I said "Screw This!" and headed back to the start. I was one of many that turned around. On the ride back I saw more people heading back then I did continuing on with the ride. The weather was so bad I even passed on the free beer at the German Fest, that and I didn’t want to pay $5 to park.

From what I hear the weather cleared up about 45 minutes after I got back to the start and many of those who toughed it out had a nice ride, but I had no desire to wreck my new bike or get sick the week before the MS ride.