Island cyclists ride to beat MS
Part I
BY MIKE FIRESTONE SPECIAL TO THE SOUTH JETTY

Benefit bikers The back of Ken Dunton, left, was the view that Mike Firestone had at the beginning of the BP MS 150 from Houston to Austin.

Editor's note: This is the first installment of a two-party series about the BP MS 150 ride in which Port Aransas residents Mike Firestone and Ken Dunton participated.

SPECIAL SOUTH JETTY

Never thought I'd be admitting this in public, but I'm watching Ken Dunton's butt. In fact, I've been watching it for quite some time. It's almost mesmerizing. My front tire is 12 inches behind his back tire, and we're flying along at 22 mph. Our "pace line" is comprised of about 20 riders riding in a single file within a foot or two each other. We're all "drafting" behind each other, with backs bent over and heads down trying to hide from the unkind north wind that is blowing directly against us. We're grinding our way north along FM 529, hoping to arrive soon at the lunch stop in Bellville, some 50 miles from our starting point in Houston.

COURTESY PHOTOS

This is the first leg of the BP MS150 bicycle ride from Houston to Austin. The 180-mile ride has 13,000 cyclists and nearly that many volunteers participating in an incredible effort that raised an astounding $14 million for research and treatment in the fight against multiple sclerosis (MS). Ken and I are riding for friends Trilby Barber, Ginger Macrander and Mary Pat Matisons, all of whom have MS.

This is the largest MS fundraising ride in the United States in terms of participants, the length of the ride and the funds raised. Cyclists of all shapes, ages, sizes and abilities are on the road riding every sort of bicycle imaginable: Sleek carbon fiber highly tuned road race bikes, clunky mountain bikes with knobby tires, tandem bikes, "old-school" 10-speed bikes, odd-looking recumbent bikes, even a guy riding a unicycle!

The road is chock full of cyclists riding in two lanes: Those on the right are riding at a slower pace, while the left lane is the "passing" lane. Sometimes there is even a center-line of riders. Consequently, to maximize safety, there's lots of riding etiquette to know and lots of chatter. Passing on the right is strongly discouraged, and when passing on the left, riders shout "On your left!" Hand and verbal signals are also used for "stopping," "slowing" and "turning" And that's the cool thing about this event, it's a "ride," not a "race" so everyone can go at their own pace and have lots of fun!

Ken and I are riding with Team Shell, which is comprised of nearly 300 cyclists. They allowed Ken on the team because he's a famous scientist. They allowed me on the team, because I'm a former employee (worked for Shell prior to them going to "self-serve" at the gas-pumps). Most of the team members are pretty serious cyclists, though there are a few casual husband/wife teams and several members riding with their sons or daughters. It's a nice mix of riders.

The most impressive feature of this event is the organization and attention to detail. We began receiving informative e-mails from Team Shell and the MS Society in December. The e-mails focused on safety, advice on training, what to bring, what to expect along the way and more.

It's a two-stage ride from Houston to Austin: Day 1 is 100 miles to La Grange, with an overnight stay; then Day 2 is 60-80 miles (depending on the route chosen) to Austin. Break points (rest stops) every 10-12 miles along the route are manned by a host of cheerful and helpful volunteers who provide Gatorade, water, fresh orange slices, bananas, energy bars and even medical assistance! Since proper hydration is the "mantra" to all cyclists, there's also an armada of "skid-o-cans" at each break point! No waiting in line, so you have to hop back on your bike and hit the road!

We arrive in Bellville after riding for 2 1/2 hours. It feels good to get-off the bike, straighten my back out and walk-around. Everyone is "clicking and clattering" as they walk around in their special cycling shoes. Ken's shoes are white Italian leather - so I call him the "Italian Stallion."

The shoes have metal inserts in the soles that click into the bike's special "clip-in" pedals. That shoeto pedal connection allows you to get 360 degrees of power through the pedals when cranking through a full revolution. It also means that you are "one with the bike" and when you come to a stop you'd better be "un-clipped" or you'll fall over in the most embarrassing manner - I know from experience!

After the lunch break, the difficulty factor ratchets-up a notch. Not only is the wind blowing from the north (directly into our faces!), but now we're riding up and down hills. The wind increases so much, that even while riding down the hills, we're forced to continue pedaling; there's no such thing as a "free-ride" today! Ken and I bounce from one pace-line to the other, until we find one that more or less matches our speed abilities. The pace-lines are informal, but have that unspoken structure:

The lead rider sets that pace, and being in front of the line, literally "breaks the wind" for the other rides, thus, making it easier for those following to "draft" and not feel the full effects of the head wind. It's a lot like NASCAR; even the cyclists' jerseys are brightly colored and littered with various sponsors' logos. I must admit, the Team Shell jerseys are pretty sharp!

After riding in the front of the line (the "pulling" position in cycling lingo), for a few minutes, you give the signal and pull-over slightly to the right, to let the next rider take the lead, and you then fall back into the line after all riders in the line pass you…and the leap-frog game goes on and on…

As we enter the Hill Country and pass through the small towns, we're greeted by large numbers of cheering folks standing alongside the roadway. They hold up signs of welcome and encouragement, yelling and ringing cowbells as we pass. We fly by farmers and ranchers who are sitting with their families at the roadside in front of their ranches. A man standing on the bed of his pick-up truck is playing the fiddle; another guy dressed in a kilt is playing the bagpipes!

The countryside is alive with spring growth! The wildflowers are in full bloom, the rolling hills in full array of bright colors and cool fragrances bring a refreshing relief to our toiling.

Many riders are pulling off the road and taking photos of the cattle grazing among the wildflowers; it's a magical place!

Next week: A cold night in La Grange and the second leg.