The BP MS 150 is a two-day fundraising cycling ride organized by the National Multiple Sclerosis (MS) Society: Lone Star. In 2011, the event raised more than $16 million for MS. The document details the author's experience riding in the 143-mile journey from Houston to Austin, including starting points, rest stops along the route, mechanical issues, and celebrating at the finish line in Austin after completing the ride.

1. April 20th – April 21st
2013
2013 MS 150

2. 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.

3. 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.

4. The Bikes
Big Lee’s Bike:
Specialized Roubaix
C. White’s Bike:
Cannondale Quick 4

5. Day 1 Route from Waller Stadium to
La Grange -----------76 miles
Our starting
point.

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

7. Day 1 – Getting Ready

8. Ready to Roll!

9. everything from water/gatorade to fruit and
pickle juice. Pickle Juice helps prevent
cramping.

10. 48 Miles to La
Grange
Many “colorful
riders participated

11. 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.

12. The Finish at La Grange
The Finish
Line
Shop that fixed my
bike.

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

14. 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.

15. A Day 2 Rest Stop.
This lady was a treat. She was
dancing to Motown music and
yelling words of encouragement

16. Day 2 Lunch. - 111 Miles Traveled
31 Miles to Austin
It took us about 30 mins
to get through this
bathroom line.

17. 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

18. 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!!

19. Who’s
Riding with
Me Next
Year?
Texas State
Capitol.