Cold start to last leg of ride
Part 2
By Mike Firestone Special to the South Jetty

COURTESY PHOTO At the finish Ken Dunton, left, and Mike Firestone at the finish line of the MS 150, a ride from Houston to Austin to raise money for multiple sclerosis research.

Editor's note: This is Part 2 of the adventures of Ken Dunton's and Mike Firestone's experience in the BP MS 150 from Houston to Austin to raise money for multiple sclerosis research.

We arrive in LaGrange at 2 p.m., approximately seven hours after the start. The county fairgrounds are full of giant tents that house each of the teams, bike repair "shops" and "restaurants." The Team Shell organizers have thought of everything: In the Team Shell tent, we're treated to a massage, shower and dinner. Our overnight bags have even been transported from Houston to LaGrange! The riders have become really spread out by this time, with some arriving as late as 8 p.m. By 9 p.m. it's "lights-out," and most folks are in the "sack," slumbering in warm sleeping bags atop cushiony air-mattresses.

Unfortunately, I came really unprepared for the cold weather and lay awake all night long (wearing all of my clothes/shoes) wrapped in a blanket while shivering and listening to Ken (and a host of others) snoring the night away. I tried to sneak up and onto Ken's air mattress, but he rebuffed my advances with a loud snort. Thanks, buddy!

Five a.m. arrived clear and cold (42 degrees!). Stumbling around in the darkness I could sense the pain and stiffness in everyone. Nobody was saying much.

We were sent on our way at 0700, and immediately, my right knee began hurting as we stroked up the first hill. The wind was down for the morning, so we could enjoy a fun "coast" down these larger and steeper hills reaching speeds of up to 35 mph! The only problem was that my fingers were so cold I couldn't feel them! Riding with us were "motorcycle marshals" who would pull over and help cyclists in changing flat tires (and there were many) or other such repairs. At the first break point, I told Ken to ride on without me, as the pain in my knee had intensified significantly. Ken reluctantly rode off without me, and I went to the first-aid tent for some advice. When I arrived, I noticed 10 to 15 riders sitting there rubbing their knees. The attending medic laughed when I described my condition: "So you're not taking the MS150 candy, are you?" Handing me two Ibuprofen he said, "Take these and rub this Biofreeze (Ben- Gay on steroids) on your knee."

To my amazement, the treatment worked, and I was able to resume the ride. I stopped for the treatment at three more break points along the trek to Austin, and by the time I hit the outskirts of the city, I was back to riding at full speed!

The approach to Austin was a bit hectic, with lots and lots of steep hills as well as lots of traffic. The police did a great job of keeping cyclist and car from contact and they blocked traffic to allow us to speed right on through at the traffic lights. The final sprint to the finish was amazing! Streaking down Congress Avenue directly toward the State Capitol in downtown Austin, we were greeted by tens of thousands of cheering spectators that were lined-up 10 to 15 deep behind the barricades lining the street. It looked like the Tour de France in Texas! A number of folks who are afflicted with MS were around the finish line thanking us for our efforts - it was a touching moment!

Ken and I met at the Team Shell tent (he had finished some 45 minutes earlier) and, after eating lunch and recounting the day's ride, we split ways - he stayed in Austin (to work at UT Austin on Monday and Tuesday), and I caught the MS150- arranged Greyhound bus (my bike was transported back to Houston on a MS150 truck) for the easy trip back to Houston.

Together Ken and I raised nearly $2,000 for MS. We thank all of you who contributed to our fundraising! If you would still like to contribute, you may send checks payable to the National MS Society to either of us at P.O. Box 3045 (me), to to P.O. Box 212 (Ken), Port Aransas, Texas 78373.

We will be calling on you again next year!