MS150: Team TEI didn’t survive; we conquered!
Over this past weekend, the TEI Bike Team mounted our two-wheeled bike beasts and traversed over 150 miles and quite a few hills from Houston to Austin on the mega bike ride known as the MS150. I’m sure you’re familiar with the ride and its 13,000+ participants and noble goal of funding research to cure the debilitating disease multiple sclerosis, so I’ll spare you the nitty gritty details. Instead, I would like to provide you evidence that a bunch of nerdy traffic engineers did actually manage to peel themselves off the computer for a weekend of grueling athleticism:
There. Proof. Actual engineers in actual spandex. This picture is a little misleading however; it was taken on the morning of the second day, and you’ll notice that none of us is simultaneously smiling and sitting down on the bike seat. I found that to be a rare combination on Day Number 2. But you know what? It was still awesome. The whole thing. That thought 80 miles in that “holy cow, I might actually be able to make it 150 miles.” Then the thought at 110 miles that “holy cow, I might not be able to make it 150 miles.” And then making it 150 miles. Awesome.
Oh, and we did pretty well at fundraising as well. Our team fundraising goal was $2,500 – and we crushed it with over $4,000. Thanks to all the generous supporters who not only helped us reach our goals, but more importantly, provided valuable contributions towards finding a cure to multiple sclerosis.
I’d also be remiss if I failed to mention that the picture above doesn’t include the entire TEI Team. Our support staff – Rachel, Martha, and kiddos – and their amazing planning and execution were absolutely essential to making this ride the great experience and success that it was. They drove us to the start, waited for us at the end, took pictures, found a hotel, reserved rooms at the hotel, and all in all made the whole thing possible. Thanks you wonderful gals – you rock!
As for me – the bike commuter – what now? People have been asking me for quite awhile now whether or not I would continue to bike to work after the MS150. After all, in an earlier post I implied that I was biking just to train for the MS150, so now that that’s done, shouldn’t I stop giving my grandmother unhealthy levels of anxiety (she has threatened to slash my bike tires) and settle down into a more “normal” Houston lifestyle?
No freaking way. Biking is too much fun! (Sorry Grandma!)
The MS150 was a good way to get me started. It provided that first initial push to forego the comforts of the automobile and hop on my bike once or twice a week. But now that I know I can ride 150 miles with no more than a little soreness in my nether regions (which is quickly dissipating), my 16 mile bike commute seems downright tame. I think for me, the MS150 was a mental barrier that once surmounted will enable me to bike even more than I was previously. So never fear – your favorite Bike Commuting in Houston Blog (I’m only making that outrageous claim because it’s the only one with which I’m familiar) isn’t going anywhere! And now, gratuitous wildflowers:
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