BP MS150 Team Owuor

Michael took part in the Houston to Austin BP MS150 Bicycle ride this year on April 17-18. He's been training for this ride for over a year and had been looking forward to riding alongside his two brothers Alex and Dwayne. The three brothers had been getting together nearly every weekend to practice long distance riding for the two months preceding the event. It worked out that Dwayne didn't ride this time but a church friend, John Jackson, joined team Owuor and all had a great time. The first day the guys rode 100 miles and then stopped over in La Grange where they camped out. Early the next morning it started intensely raining and all were fearful that the second day might get canceled. But the cool air came in and the rain stopped right before go time. The guys rode the final leg of 78 miles and felt like rock stars when they crossed the finish line in downtown Austin. Michael said that there were tons of supporters lining the streets throughout the ride but that the finish line was especially packed. Unfortunately for me, I wasn't able to meet up at the finish line or experience any part of this ride because I was out of town for my sisters' wedding. Fortunately for me, it was such a great experience that Michael has enjoyed sharing some of the highlights and some few moments were captured on other camera's. So I've asked him to report on the experience in his own words and am hopeful that he'll find a free moment to do so. Let me just say that I am so proud of my sweetheart for his drive and dedication. He takes on such amazing challenges and it's so inspiring to me. I know that participating was a personal goal but it also became a quest for a worthy cause. Michaels' Facebook status when he completed the ride was the following "Endured two days and 168 miles on a bicycle to support the cause of finding a cure for MS. As long as there is no cure, those who have it endure it every day. This is why I ride."

This was a little info that I snagged from the website:

The BP MS 150 is a two-day fundraising cycling ride organized by the National MS Society: Lone Star the third weekend of April. This ride is the largest event of its kind in North America. In 2009, the event raised more than $17 million for multiple sclerosis.

The ride is a 180-mile journey for MS from Houston to Austin. Breakpoints are positioned every 8-15 miles. The ride begins Saturday morning at three convenient starting points: Omni Westside Hotel in Houston, Rhodes Stadium in Katy and Waller Stadium in Waller. Riders follow scenic roads into Bellville for lunch. Day One ends at the Fayette County Fairgrounds overnight in La Grange.

On Sunday morning Club 300 members lead the start on one of two routes that lead to Bastrop Intermediate School for lunch from the fairgrounds. Take the Bechtel Challenge Route and enjoy the rolling terrain of Bastrop and Buescher State Parks or bypass the parks via the Pfizer Lunch Express Route. The final leg of Day Two takes riders into Austin for exciting Finish Line festivities at the capital.