BP MS 150

I participated in the BP MS 150 this past weekend, from Houston to Austin.  I will admit, that my reasons for joining the group, were selfish, and not solely for supporting the research of MS, of course it is a much added bonus. I have always wanted to participate in a group race of some sort, and when a friend of mine asked if I wanted to join BP’s group, I was all in. I wanted an excuse to get back in shape after having my second baby, and I thought the fear of an impending two day bike ride would whip me into shape. My husband didn’t initially want me to participate, because he didn’t want me to leave our two girls alone with him for extended bike rides, but his push-back strengthened my resolve even more. Initially the excitement of the looming date, did the trick, however; as time went on, my drive to train waned a little, and I mostly did shorter rides lugging my girls in a trailer. This turned out to be great practice for climbing hills, since as the wind blows, it acts more like a kite than a vehicle.

Training definitely helps you prepare, but what i wasn’t prepared for was the severe leg cramping, and soreness in my hands and feet from holding the handlebars and shoes rubbing against my feet. Surprisingly my muscles were hardly sore or stiff the next day, but it felt more like my body was going to fall apart, as if it had aged 40 years in one night. I chickened out on the second day, because of the rainstorm and subsequent relentless frigid wind trying to blow everyone off course. I did however enjoy a lovely day at Zilker Park in Austin, TX. It was not a great day to ride a bike, however it was a great one for flying a kite. Everyone’s question after the ride is, would you do it again?  The answer? Hell Yes!,  because you cant beat the beautiful Texas hill country from the vantage of a bicycle, and supporting such a worthy cause as the National MS Society, is definitely worth it.