April 20th – April 21st

2013

2013 MS 150

What is the BP MS 150?

The BP MS 150 is a two-day fundraising cycling ride organized by the National Multiple Sclerosis (MS) Society: Lone Star. This ride is the largest event of its kind in North America. In 2011, the event raised more than $16 million for MS.

My ride was a 143-mile journey for MS from Houston to Austin.

Breakpoints are positioned every 8-15 miles.

What is the BP MS 150?

We were quite aware of what happened earlier in the week in Boston, but were confident in the security law enforcement officials could provide on the route between Houston and Austin.

12,000 riders who showed up for the event weren’t about to give up pedaling for a good cause.

The money that’s been raised over the past 28 years has helped develop new drugs to combat the disease.

The Bikes

Big Lee’s Bike:Specialized Roubaix

C. White’s Bike:Cannondale Quick 4

Day 1 Route from Waller Stadium to La Grange -----------76 miles

Our starting point.

Day 1 Starting Point– Waller Stadium 76 miles to La Grange

Day 1 – Getting Ready

Ready to Roll!

Rest Stop #1. The orange tents offered everything from water/gatorade to fruit and pickle juice. Pickle Juice helps prevent cramping.

Day 1 Lunch. - 28 Miles Traveled 48 Miles to La Grange

Many “colorful riders participated.

About 4 miles from La Grange, my rear derailer broke going up a big hill. It couldn’t be repaired in the field and I had to hop in the back of a sag van to finish Day 1. I was clearly disappointed because I had made it all that way and I wanted to hear the cheers at the finish in La Grange. Oh well . . . I had it fixed in La Grange.

The Finish at La GrangeThe Finish Line

Shop that fixed my bike.

Day 2 Route from La Grange to Austin 76 miles traveled - 66 miles to go

Day 2 Start About 12,000 people participated in the ride.

I was going down this hill after we started at about 30 mph when an insect happened to hit my helmet right in one of the open holes. It hurt like hell and left a welt!

It’s not this compacted when you ride. We were stopped to merge onto a back road. They were letting out about 200 riders at a time.

A Day 2 Rest Stop.

This lady was a treat. She was dancing to Motown music and yelling words of encouragement with her bull horn.

Day 2 Lunch. - 111 Miles Traveled 31 Miles to Austin

It took us about 30 mins to get through this bathroom line.

Last Rest Stop before Austin!

132.83 Miles Traveled

8 More Miles to Go.

My shoes actually clip into my pedals and you have to swing your heels out to unclip them when you stop, otherwise your foot stays attached to the pedal. When I slowed down to enter this rest stop , I unclipped one foot but my other foot was still clipped in. I started leaning the wrong way and fell on my side, knocking another guy’s bike over. I laughed and threw up the touchdown sign from the ground. Everyone around me laughed and began telling me about the times they couldn’t clip out and also fell. This must be a cycling “right of passage”.

Austin!!! Finished!!!

142.78 Miles Traveled

You can hear the roar of the crowd about ½ mile before you see the Finish Line. People are cheering and it’s a great feeling crossing that finish line realizing you’ve accomplished something that you had your doubts about physically being able to finish. What a rush!!

Who’s Riding with Me Next Year?

Texas State Capitol.