Amazing Houston Bike MS

Everyone involved in the Bike MS events in the Lone Star Chapter has told me what a sight to see the Houston to Austin ride is. It is honestly indescribable. The event "sold out" in 11 days back in October at 13,000 riders. That is just amazing to me. I've heard it is the largest fund-raising bike ride in the country.

They have three official starts on the first day. We started from Rhodes Stadium. I say "we" meaning "the team Pete was biking with". I was simply the team photographer and Trinity flew in from Seattle to be my chauffeur (and apparently, camera hauling assistant.) As Pete says, "the Houston event is just a machine." He's right!

Imagine, if you can, standing on the side of a country highway, and the only thing you see for as far as you can see in both directions is bicyclists. They took over the shoulder and the right lane. Usually riding three or four wide, but sometimes six wide! If a cyclist saw you hold up a camera, they were all smiles, waves, thumbs up and "thank you!" It was truly rewarding.

Sadly, because of the size of the ride, I lost a bit of the reason for the ride. But, it's an event to experience. The finish line in Austin is just amazing! Not that that finish line itself is anything special, but they do have a tent area near the finish line for clients with MS. It was amazing to be standing there at the chute watching riders come in and some would stop short of the finish line, shake hands with some of the MS people in the tent, share a smile, hug, laugh, or photo and then hop back on their bikes and pedal the last ten yards across the line.

Pete and I learned a few lessons about packing for the out-of-town bike events (like checking for one right and one left glove!) Trinity and I learned some lessons about photographing a bike event (where is the sun going to rise?) I learned a lot about biking in groups and loved the camaraderie of being part of a team. Thanks Mike!

So, I got a bit of an energy boost and more motivation to keep on training and make this event in October happen! I have to say that I am so proud of Pete for pedaling the entire 155 miles in two days this weekend. He had not been training enough this winter and I've been holding him back this spring as I try this biking thing. He had not pedaled more than 21 miles in a day since October. He made it through the winds and to the finish line with no complaints (and even rode half of Saturday without gloves.) It truly shows what proper training can do and the drive and energy you can pull from a team around you is amazing!
I won't be biking next weekend as we're off to San Diego. Watch for more updates after the trip!