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Pedaling for a cure
Many people are familiar with distance running events used as fundraising tools for charity — marathons raced to garner donations to AIDS research, for instance, or to benefit the Susan G. Komen Foundation for Breast Cancer, are common seasonal talk around the water cooler.
But few may be as familiar with the notion of long-distance bicycle events completed for the same high purposes. This is a shame, as such events are quite prevalent in Texas, and indeed, are among the best of their class nationwide. The first of these, currently scheduled to take place in mid-April, is the BP MS 150, the BP-sponsored 150-mile bike ride to benefit the National Multiple Sclerosis Society.
The two-day event kicks off April 12, when an anticipated mass of nearly 20,000 riders will strike out west from Houston. Over the course of two days, these bicyclists will log the approximately 150 miles back to Austin as they, through their pledges and entry fees, raise money to fight MS. And with over $10 million raised annually, the BP MS 150 is one of the most high-profile events around
As the first of three corporate-sponsored long-distance rides — the other two are the May Sam’s Club MS 150 from Frisco to Fort Worth and the October Bike MS: Valero Bike to the Beach from San Antonio to Corpus Christi — the BP MS 150 marks the start of the big Texas weekender bicycle season. What’s more, it’s actually the largest bike ride of its kind in the country, making it not only a great early-season goal for all the bicycle fanatics out there, but also a chance to take part in a one-of-a-kind event with a truly noble cause at its heart.
Race information and registration are already up. Of course, if you’re not in shape yet, you’ve got your work cut out for you.
Though shooting for 150 miles over two days may be too high a bar for utter neophytes, it’s not an unreachable goal for those who have done some bike work in the past. Assuming your lungs, legs, and — ahem — saddle have all been prepared for the task, what’s left is to prepare yourself for maintaining speeds at longer distances. And the best way to do that is by honing your chops at other, moderate-length bike events.
There are bicycle races in Texas just about every weekend between now and April 12, and many are listed at the Texas Bicycle Racing Association’s Web site. Quite a few are within two hours’ drive or less, with a number of upcoming races scheduled to be held in Katy, Waller, Round Top, Bastrop, Liberty Hill, La Grange, Kerrville and Prairie View. There’s even a ride here in Austin, the 14th Annual Rosedale Ride, scheduled to be held March 29.
Even if you’re not quite up to the task, volunteers are always welcome — last year, more than 3,000 pitched in, and more are always welcome. You can sign up to volunteer here, and more information about both the race and the disease is available at here.
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