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cherylpf
crazy cat lady
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Joined: 14 May 2002
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 Posted: 04/19/04 - 11:35 Post subject: MS 150 Houston to Austin 2004
The short story: fantastic ride yet again this year, My mother, about a dozen friends and myself raised thousands of dollars for the fight against MS and finished the two day ride from Houston to Austin along with 13,000 other riders (including for short stints the mayors of Houston and Austin, several judges and Gov Rick Perry). Couldn't have had better weather and despite some battle scars this year, I'm already planning next year's ride...
Long version: I rode with my friend new to cycling, she finished and I'm SO SO SO proud, it was the hardest thing she's ever done, as a result, we not only partook in but enjoyed every rest area  I wanted her to be as strong as she could (its when people are too tired that the dumb accidents happen) and I of course wasn't going to argue with stopping! Saturday: rock star awesome, 25mph winds that for at least 80% of the day were at our back so when we were on the bike (as opposed to eating cookies while laying in the grass) we were averaging somewhere around 14-15 mph with lots of uphills (I could tell you exactly if I didnt' let my computer time all night...  ) Had a minor (read: stupid/klutzy) fall Saturday that was no big deal (except for the fact that I did it in front of an audience of many), got up, picked most of the gravel out of the open wounds and got on my bike again when several people were like "um, go get that washed and bandaged, your sock is absorbing a lot of blood there..." annoyed, I did, I didn't know why since it didn't hurt at all and I was really embarrassed by the whole thing. Well Sunday I woke up and demanded the license plate number on the truck that ran over me... I was black and blue! Who knew some klutz move in some gravel would do so much. We knew my blackish/blueish swollen knee was not a good sign for the hill climbing we had ahead as we got into Austin/hill country. So game time decision we decided to avoid Bastrop park (my favorite part of the whole 183 miles, its a roller coaster of hills) as a result  In hindsight I'm really glad I did and I think as a result I was able to have enough in me to get to the finish line. I heard later too that some vandals dumped a bunch of tacks in the road at the bottom of one of the steeper hills causing several accidents and dozens of flats  Fortunately I didn't hear of any too terrible accidents as a result of them. I can't imagine the jerk mindset it would take to come up with something like that. And for a CHARITY RIDE.  Anyway, one dumb person's move couldn't offset the many truly amazing people that continue to touch and impress me every year, the thousands of volunteers and the effort, time, patience they put in for us and how much each of their small efforts helps this ride continue. The ride runs like a well oiled machine, and with the plethora of problems that could arise when you are dealing with as many people over as big an area ON BIKES, etc etc, its amazing. Major kudos to the organizers, volunteers. Police support as usual was phenomenal. Again too, we couldn't do this ride without the help from each of the small towns we pass through. All the individuals who stood on the side of the road going hoarse to scream and cheer us on, thanking us for our efforts. All the MS patients who in their wheel chairs waved their 'survivor' bandanas thanking us for riding on their behalf. I get choked up every year. The riders in the 'top 300' club who were the top 300 fundraisers. I talked to a man who raised over $18K this year. The guy who does the entire 183 on a unicycle. The riders without use of their legs who 'pedal' with their arms on modified recumbants. The outpouring of support from towns like Fayetteville (population 306). I could write a 300 page book on the event. So many sites, anecdotes, thoughts, but in summary, every year, such a great ride! 
The National MS Society Lone Star chapter set a goal to reach $10 million this year in funds. If you would like to help out, PM me.
Thanks for all the support, thoughts, phone calls, prayers for our safety! 
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TriBob
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Posted: 04/19/04 - 11:48 Post subject:
Great job for a great cause!
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Sahara
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Posted: 04/19/04 - 11:57 Post subject:
Nicely done. Congrats on completing another!
I sense that it was an experience in which you enjoyed every part. Great report.
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jrjo
Gone Fishin
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Joined: 15 May 2002
Posts: 16451
Location: Lake Wobegon, MN
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Posted: 04/19/04 - 12:05 Post subject:
Cheryl, you did it again! Great report and kudos on focusing your training and goals for an admirable cause. And then making it happen for both you and your new riding partner! 
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elkid
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Joined: 18 Nov 2002
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Location: hiding out in Philly
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Posted: 04/19/04 - 12:11 Post subject:
Very nice job! Sounds like loads of fun, except for the gravel fall. 
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akern
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Joined: 31 May 2002
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Posted: 04/19/04 - 12:28 Post subject:
You ROCK!!
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Cappy
Excelent
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Joined: 16 May 2002
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Location: Spreadsheetylvania
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Posted: 04/19/04 - 12:39 Post subject:
Excellent Cheryl. Well done once again
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purple hayes
Frightened Inmate #2
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Joined: 14 May 2002
Posts: 14462
Location: ON YOUR LEFT!
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Posted: 04/19/04 - 12:47 Post subject:
You and your mother rock for doing this every year!
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rolling rock
The Pinball
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Posted: 04/19/04 - 13:03 Post subject:
Unbelievable to me that those kinds of miles are logged on a bike and you're still smiling
what a fabulous cause - MS - i get the feeling that we are closing in on this disease, or at least unlocking alot of doors to a cure. my good friend's mom has it so i have had a bird's eye view of the sad way it physically dismantles a person. 
Congratulations to you and that rocker mom of yours. what an inspiration to so many.
hopefully the boys were on their best behavior while you were out conquering. 
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cherylpf
crazy cat lady
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Posted: 04/19/04 - 13:19 Post subject:
| rolling rock wrote: | | what a fabulous cause - MS - i get the feeling that we are closing in on this disease, or at least unlocking alot of doors to a cure. my good friend's mom has it so i have had a bird's eye view of the sad way it physically dismantles a person. |
I agree, the more I hear and read about the disease the closer it seems we are. On the other side too, the more I pester everyone I know for money for this cause, the more people I realize I know who have the disease, among them a coworker in my dept and friend from college who is only 24 It really drives me to think of them and what they are going through, and knowing how close they are to finding the cure. To be very honest mom and I started doing this ride a few years ago as a fun 2 day bike ride but its become equally passion for the cause as we get more and more involved and new cases of MS hit closer to home.
PS--I forgot to add, my mom KICKED my bee-hind this year. She put in her training time in the hills and it paid off!!! I however decided to keep my training on the coastal/prairie flatlands....because that made sense for a very hilly ride... 
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HYPERASHEL
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Joined: 18 Nov 2003
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Location: The South's Sauna, Atlanta
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Posted: 04/19/04 - 14:06 Post subject:
YOU ROCK GIRLIE!!!!!!!
Ain't it fun, Grand and a major senseof accomplishment. I love doing the ULTRA long events and pushing to on'e limit and when it can be done to help those that can't again/never able too it makes it all the more worthwhile. Kudos to MOM too. The "ole gal" still got it, huh??
I am glad you were not affected by the @ssclowns with the tacks. personally i would love to see the wildlife feasting on thier rotting corpses.
but back to you, WOOOT!!!!!!! with a   and a thrown in too.
you did not mention the skaters though 
but i got a PM from her telling me ALL about them. 
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gretriever
Hipster Doofus
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Joined: 16 Jul 2003
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Location: A moving target in a firing range.
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Posted: 04/19/04 - 14:12 Post subject:
 to everything that's been said! 
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pokychick
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Joined: 02 Oct 2002
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Location: City of Dis
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Posted: 04/19/04 - 14:35 Post subject:
Congratulations to Pfffff and mama Pffffff!
You guys are awesome. I got something in my eye while reading your report.
Last edited by pokychick on 04/19/04 - 14:45; edited 1 time in total
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copteacher
Adjunct
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Joined: 08 Jun 2002
Posts: 20588
Location: Teaching in the Halls of Justice
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Posted: 04/19/04 - 19:36 Post subject:
well done Shurl
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Floridaboiler
POTFH
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Joined: 18 May 2002
Posts: 11322
Location: Jacksonville, Florida
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Posted: 04/19/04 - 21:16 Post subject:
| TriBob wrote: |
Great job for a great cause! |
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