This year's MS 150 is just weeks away, so it's time to make sure that everyone's preferences are considered when hotel rooms are claimed.  We have a block of rooms at our Duluth destination and at our Finlayson destination, and some of the guys have already claimed their rooms.  Some of the guys will probably camp or stay with local relatives or friends, but most of the escorts will need to make plans if they want one of the hotel rooms.

All of the lodging details are on our web site but we have some returning escorts and some new ones who need to let us know what their lodging preferences are for the weekend.  I hope this blog will make that easy, because all of you can state your preferences here without knowing everyone else's e-mail address.  If we treat this like a digital bulletin board, everyone who needs a room can see who else does.

So, if you will, leave a message that tells the rest of us what you want to do lodging-wise.  Do you prefer to room alone or do you want to share a room?  Or do you plan to camp this year?  Will you need a room for both Friday and Saturday night, or just for one of those nights?  The more we know, the easier it will be to help each other.

Curt

The 2010 events will start next weekend, and I'm excited to see so many veteran escorts volunteering their time and skills once again.  You guys are really incredible.  You keep coming back, year after year, fighting the weather and dodging the bugs.  And for what?  "Thank you!"  Yup, that's your pay, "Thank you!"  How many times have you heard that on any one of the bike tours or the Challenge Walk?  Yeah, I know.  I've lost count, too.  The pedalers really appreciate your being out on the road with them.  Maybe you helped someone get their derailed chain back on.  Maybe you helped someone with a flat tire.  Or maybe you chased down a group who took a wrong turn and tactfully (or maybe not) exlpained to them that they were now 4 miles off course.  And I know a whole bunch of those pedalers were glad to have you along because you were always there.  They heard you, they saw you, so they knew they were still on course.  And they knew you were there to help, so thanks for coming back again.

I'm also pleased to have some new escorts joining us this year.  Scott signed up for the TCR and the 150, and so did Mitchell.  We'll also have Craig joining us for the 150.  It's always great to have new faces on the team.  It's new blood in the veins!  I'm looking forward to working with all of you and I'm sure the old hands will be happy to help you learn the ropes.  And I hope your experience is rewarding.  I hope you'll be telling us about all the "Thank You"s that you hear.

All of you know how to reach me, and you all know how to get to our web site, but you can leave messages here as well.  I'll try to keep this blog timely and interesting and I hope you'll feel free to leave any comments or questions.  Your message can be for me or for whole team.  Whatever works!

Curt