Assuming it would sell out like it always has, I notified my wife with a “don’t hate me, I’m spending a bunch of money” text and signed up knowing that 1) I am out of shape (like 25 pounds up on my weight from a year ago) and 2) I am still struggling with pain from an injury I raced through in 2014. My wife sent a text back to tell me I’d be stupid not to and use it as a bit of motivation to get going again so for the first time in a long time (like ever, I think), I have no intention of going 100 miles. I was unable to ride at all last year when a nasty crash during a cross race finally ended my season for good so I’m looking for redemption, but I ride the 100 MoN for the honor of participating and the community I feel reading about what others do, not the swag. I haven’t worn my jersey from 2014 and haven’t decided when I will. I likely won’t even hit 50 this year, but I’ll go until it seems like a good idea to stop.

With the ride reports you published, even for a guy who spun out 176 on a trainer and 116 on a .15-mile loop, it seemed to get out of hand with one-upmanship (yeah, I know – pot, meet kettle) so mentally freeing myself this year from expectations is a good thing, but for someone not so confident about putting themselves out there in comparison to some of us nut-jobs, it can be a lot intimidating.

It’s still a great way to support a cause and I think the periodic postings and a little more lead time would go a long way to helping restore its glory. If that doesn’t help for next year, it may be the event has run its course, but as long as I can scrounge the money, I’ll be in.

I plan on riding a 1 mile loop at my local park, recruiting people to come do 10 laps with me to keep my mind off the mind numbingly flat and poor quality chip seal road, with a pop up cycling club tent rest stop that includes pickle biscuits and banana bread, and finishes with punch and pie. Division to be named later.

Looking forward to participating for the first time!

Thanks for signing up! I have a feeling you’re going to win this to-be-named division. – FC

I hadn’t heard of 100 MoN prior to your first post about it this year (in the midst of race reports) and from the post itself it wasn’t really clear what this was for. Now to the “hating” part: I was turned off from registering because A) there was waaaaaay too much focus on the swag – and B) it seemed too “beggy”.

I understand that Camp Kessem is a worthy cause and all, but in the midst of all the other worthy causes, this focused too much on “what can I get out of it” instead of “who does this benefit”.

My 2.5 cents on the matter.

I won’t hate on you at all for being honest. I learned something important from your comment: that I need to remember that not everyone who is reading this already knows what the 100 Miles of Nowhere is. I’ve been doing this blog for so long that I sometimes forget that some people are new here, and it’s rude of me to not get folks up to speed. Thanks for the reminder. – FC

And my calendar filled up and I spent all my bike money on other events and bought a new bike. (Bummer. Because I had wanted to do 100MON on a folding bike!)

Even with all of that, I’d still shell out for an event this late in the season, if it were for a good cause, but at this price, it’s a little too princely for my blood. I’ve had a lot of requests in the $60-100 range this year!

I’m working on something. News on that soon, if I can pull it off. – FC

Thanks for letting me know (that the stuff won’t get to Germany in time). It’s OK, as I plan to do a multi-stage 100 MoN that will hopefully turn my into a (better?) mountainbiker. So I’ll start in October and turn it into a six-month project. Based on previous experience with parcels from the US, I will not have to worry about being tempted to wear my awesome gear before I’ve actually finished the event!
(I’ll write a report. It will contain at least one spreadsheet.)

Goo luck and thanks again.