Truett Manning
The Signal
The BP MS 150 bike ride is the largest event of its kind in the United States. This two-day, 180-mile ride from Houston to Austin is an annual event held at the end of April. This year, the ride is being held April 21-22. The ride is sponsored by BP, an oil and gas company, and organized by the National MS Society to raise money for multiple sclerosis.
I learned about this bike ride through my family several years ago. My mother, father and younger brother have all participated in the ride a few times. They encouraged me to ride with them, but all I could think about was how difficult the adventure would be. If there’s anything my friends and family know about me, it’s that I hate to sweat. I never hit the gym or go for a jog, so the thought of riding a bike from Houston to Austin seemed like an impossible task for me. I don’t even like driving to Austin, much less hoping on a bike and pedaling myself there.
One thing I can say for sure is that I was really missing the big picture. I knew in my mind that the ride is tough and pushes you to the limit. It takes months of training and getting in shape to complete a ride of that size. I realize now that the ride is about being a part of something bigger, something that helps people and spreads awareness for a debilitating disease.
Multiple sclerosis is a disease that affects the central nervous system and interrupts the flow of information between the brain and the body. The disease can cause anything from numbness to blindness and paralysis. More than 400,000 people in the U.S. have multiple sclerosis and many of them come from all over to participate in the ride each year.
When my family participated in the ride a few years ago, I picked them up in Austin to bring them and their bikes home to Houston. I saw the riders cross the finish line with a look of satisfaction in their eyes. Each person, though red-faced and exhausted, still managed to beam with pride. It sounds strange, but even though I was there, I felt like I was missing out on an incredible experience by not being on a bike. Seeing the look on peoples’ faces made me regret not joining and riding with my family.
It has been awhile since my family completed the ride, and I don’t know if my parents would physically be up for doing it again. I fear it may be too late for me to share that experience with them. Had I not been so caught up in my aversion of getting active, I probably would have joined them and been able to cross the finish line with my head held high.
While I may not be ready to partake in the ride even now, the BP MS 150 is on my bucket list of things to do before I die. My hope is that one day I will have the drive to join and be that person who can finish the race. Although it has been a few years since I stood at the finish line in Austin waiting for my family, the images of the riders remains fresh in my mind. I saw people young and old, big and small, and of all races united together for a good cause and it allowed me to see the importance of joining something so great.
For those who love biking and being active, I encourage you to grab a friend or family member and be a part of this amazing event.
For more information on the BP MS 150 or to donate to the National MS Society organization, go to www.nationalmssociety.org.
Whether you like to be physically active or not, there are always ways to help.
