Bike Ride from Houston to Austin

Another successful MS 150 for Jud!

Jud wrote:

Many have asked me how the ride went. I will get to that but I wanted to share a horrible story with you from the ride. Standing in line at our tent waiting for our Saturday evening meal we met some some ladies that were on our team and started taking about how their ride went and how they got involved with the MS150. One of them explained she was diagnosed with MS a little over two years ago and that is why they ride. Continuing with our conversation (the line for food was about a 30 minute wait) we learned quite a bit about their lives. We found out that the girl with MS was divorced because her husband left her when she was diagnosed. We were all in shock and it turns my stomach thinking about her situation. I can’t imagine how hard it must be for her to deal with having MS and what it has done to her life. Yet, she holds her head high and is out riding for a cure so others do not have to suffer the hardship that she has had to endure.

I share this story so you understand this ride isn’t about ME or my friends that I ride with, but it is about those with MS and how devastating this disease can be.

We left Saturday morning from Katy, TX around 6:20 AM and were on the bikes for 4 hours and 55 minutes. Day two we were off in the first pack of riders around 6:45AM and were on our bikes for 4 hours and 10 minutes. This year we took the Bechtel Challenge option route through Bastrop State Park since my riding buddies, Blake, Jeff and Rex had never done it. Much more hilly but a great ride! At one point, one of the hills is a 19 degree grade! So after two days, over 9 hours on the bike, more than 10,000 calories burned, and a lot of fun, we finished in Austin around 12:30 on Sunday afternoon. Thousands of supporters come out to cheer us on as we rode into Austin. Each year it is very emotional seeing people with MS in wheelchairs with signs of “Thank you for riding because I can’t”. This is what keeps me coming back!

So, if you haven’t donated for the 2011 ride please feel free to view my personal page to make a contribution to the MS society. I have yet to reach my goal. If you have, Thank You! I will be back in 2012 to do it again!

Ride for Him!

Jud

They spend so much time together over the two days, they learn to really love each other!