“I am sorry about the MS 150. But, it's good to listen to your instincts.”
Sheila

“Ed -I can certainly understand. But, I think you did your job. I'm glad you made it to the start though. I was right there with you. My lead up to the ride was less than ideal and the rain certainly wasn't helping. But, seeing you in the elementary school when I was begrudgingly going in to pick up my packet lifted my spirits enough to get me on my bike. I'm not sure whether to thank you or to scold you for that. But, at the end of the day, I was glad I rode.”
Seth

“Ed, I hope you are feeling better today and I hope you and Bobbie have a great trip to Michigan.”
Rich

“Dad, this morning, when I came to work, I was told that one of my co-workers (in my department) father committed suicide over the weekend, I was reminded that we are lucky to have loved ones in our life and that we should tell the people closest to us how much we love them TODAY! We might not have another opportunity. If we knew that this was our last day or week or month, how would we spend that time?

“I love you very much...More than I could ever say. Spending time together is the most special part of my life. If I only had a day, week, month or 6 months, I would make certain you were a special part of that time.

“I too feel sad that we did not ride. Not because we decided not to ride. We made the right decision and I would make the same decision given the same set of circumstances. I feel sad because if I had not been with you, one of two things would have happened: 1) You would have ridden the ride or 2) you would have made the same decision not to ride & gone back to your house. Either way, you would still be traveling to Michigan today.

“We only know the outcome of how things played out because we did not ride the MS 150. We would feel far worse if we had gone, not feeling optimistic at the time, and something tragic happened to either of us. That would have been hard to live with. Love.”
Brian

“ED,
I just wanted to congratulate you on listening to the voice in your head saying not to ride on Saturday. Being an athlete, I understand the discipline it takes training for an event! Being a Christian man, I also know the discipline it takes to listen when the Lord speaks to me, contrary to what I want or believe. Rest assured, this is a word of encouragement, to say YOU ARE A WINNER TODAY AND ALWAYS!! I applaud your discipline, Ed!! Blessings.” 
Frank

“Ed – Glad to hear you listened to your “guardian angle’s” voice. I believe mine has often pulled his hair out because I wouldn’t listen. Best of luck!”
Sarah

“Hi Ed: I applaud your decision to listen to that voice in your head. I've learned to trust my own voice, or intuition. You have ridden so many miles, and raised so much money for MS, that one year off is no big deal. I think our bodies know when to rest, and plowing forward would not have been wise. Congratulations.”
Tom.

“Ed, It's good you can trust that voice in our head, there are a lot of people who don't. The rain was a surprise for many of us. We had only five of our twelve Team Applebee's ride this year. It was a good ride after the rain and Sunday was a beautiful day. You are such an inspiration to so many, it was your turn to pass this year. We'll all look forward to seeing you out there next September. Take care.”
Sandy

“Ed, You may not have physically ridden, but I am sure you rode in the minds of all the people you have helped and ridden with over the years. I think your streak is still alive! Take care.”
Dale.

“Ed, Lots of us rode for you. You were in our thoughts. It was a very wet morning on Sat. I saw too many people wipe out due to road conditions. I hope you are feeling better today.”
Melanie

“I knew when I saw you Saturday morning that you were having to make a tough decision. I wish I could have had the time to discuss the options for you, but every best plan was thrown into disarray and everyone was late as a result of the rain. A jillion things were going on in my mind of things that had to get done before the start with my family and the team. I wish we could have suggested that you at least drive to Sedalia, join in the team fun, greet people at the team tent and then enjoy our dinner and football games on TV and then get up the next morning and do the Sunday route. Sunday was a great day, but everything is hindsight now. If we get a situation like that again, lets see if we can find a way for you to at least ride some of the ride. I also think you might have been able sag forward to dry pavement and then start riding from there on Saturday. You could even possibly ride the Kansas MS150 this next weekend. There is always tomorrow!”
Richard

Dearest Ed,
“Thanks for the note, we were all asking about you. Glad to hear that you listened to that little voice. Too often we don't. It wasn't a fun ride the first thirty + miles, but it turned out to be a good day for riding. I think the event was another success, but without people like you to urge us on its just another ride. I'll see ya next week. Stay Strong!”
Greg

“Sorry you couldn't make it, but sounds like you made the wise choice. Better to safely regret then dangerously forge ahead. Your spirit was with all of us as we rode in your absence. I will be on the Springfield MS150 this weekend, but look forward to joining you in the near future on the road. Your friend,
David.

“We did miss you! I too thought it was too dangerous for you to begin. When it is dark it is real hard to tell what the weather will do for who knows how long. When we were in Dallas for a MS150, it rained before start, then stopped for the start, and then 30 minutes later started up again and rained for 4-5 more hours. Wouldn't wish that on anyone. You can always live for another day and all it's possibilities! See you around!”
Richard

“Richard, I'm sorry I wasn't there. I'm wondering now why I didn't think to drive to Sedalia and join our team, then ride back on Sunday. I feel stupid now for not even thinking of doing this. I apologize to you and to our team.”
Ed

“That’s ok. The most important thing is your health and safety, and at the time before the ride started, it was really being threatened with the possibility of rain for hours and hours. Too bad they didn't have a big screen TV there showing the radar of the rain storm for all us to see so that we could see if it would be short lived or all day long like it was in Texas for us. Like I said, the most important thing is you are around all healthy and not hurt and ready to continue the fight forward bustin’ hate and MS for years to come.

“By the way, one of my father's distant relatives his age on the ride got clipped slightly by another rider when it was wet and all crowded and fell down. Got up and tried to continue but half way pain got worse and they took him off the road thinking he had some cracked ribs. That could have been you also. So............which choice was the smarter? Who knows? The important thing is you are OK with lots of options and opportunities to help out in the future. You just missed out on some fun!”
Richard