The BP MS-150 Houston to Austin bike ride is one of the biggest events here in Houston… Other than the Marathon. Once January hits the spin classes are packed, the bike shops start selling bikes like crazy and you see riders out in the streets training for the big ride. This is a two day fundraising cycling ride organized by the National MS society.
The ride is a 180 mile journey from Houston to Austin, starting on Saturday morning April 17th, a 100 mile ride, with an overnight stay in La Grange. On Sunday the riders will choose between Bechtel Challenge Route, which travels through the rolling terrain of Bastrop and Buescher State Parks or the Pfizer Express Route which by-passes the park. The 80 mile ride will finish at the Capital….
The ride has grown from 6,000 riders in 1994 to 13,000 riders in 2009. Each rider must raise minimum of $400 to particpate in the event AND as you know both Raymond and I registered for the ride with team SHELL (he works for Shell Global Solutions).
We would appreciate your donation and support for this charitable cause. If you would like to make a donation please visit Gelareh’s Donation Page or Raymond’s Donation Page.
Our weekends are booked with training rides… here is a quick look at the rides we have paid to participate in between now and the MS-150 ride (there are a lot more and we might add a few more on Sundays).
Saturday Feb 6th – Puddle for the Ducks – 25/37/45/70 miles – 45 miles
Saturday Feb 13th – Pedaling the Prairie ride – 23/41/56/70 miles — 56 miles
Saturday Feb 20th – Humble Lions Ride – 4/25/46.5/55 miles — 55 miles
Saturday Feb 27 – Team Shell Ride – 44/63 miles – 63 miles??
Sunday Feb 28th – Sun & Ski Ride – 24/36/50/65 miles - Would like to do 50 miles but two days in a row might go for 36 miles
Saturday Mar 6th – Pedal Thru the Pines – 16/27/ 50/ 65 miles — 65 miles
Saturday Mar 13th – Conoco Phillips Ride – 44/62 — 62 Miles
Saturday Mar 20th – Conoco Phillips Ride – 34/52 — 52 miles
Saturday Mar 27th – Conoco Phillips Ride – 25/45/62 — 62 miles
Saturday Apr 3rd – Conoco Phillips Ride – 38/57 — 57 miles
Saturday Apr 10 – Conoco Phillips Ride – 41/51 — 51 miles
Saturday & Sunday April 16 & 17 – BP MS 150 Ride — 180 miles in two days
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I started my day with a good spin class, but I have to admit, I didn’t get to bed untl 10:30 so when the alarm clock went off at 4:15 this morning I thought about just staying in bed. Thanks to Sadie who complaint about the alarm clock and moved herself to my spot I got out of the bed and made it to my class.
I forgot my packed lunch at home and had to get Salad from the cafeteria. I got big salad topped with Mushrooms, Red Cabbage, Cucumbers, Green Bell Pepper, Olives, Alfa Alfa Sprouts, Tomatos and HALF of an Avocado for $4.38… now if that is not a bargin I don’t know what it is.
For dinner I had yet another salad, I used up all of my steamed veggies and some raw veggies and mixed it with Raw Tahini Dressing and Fresh Salsa from last night.
Raymond is out at Basketball watching… Hopefully watching WVU handing it to PITT, I decided to have an experimental baking night, figured this way Raymond is not home to see it if it turns out bad.
I baked Vegan-Gluten Free Chocolate Banana Cake and it turned out AWESOME.
I sent him a txt to let him know he has a surprise waiting for him in the fridge 
Gelareh
OMG girl that cake looks awesome!!!! Chocolate cake is like God’s gift to earth
Oh. My. Gosh. That cake looks so cute and delicious! And that salad is looking really appetizing too.. something about the pretty purple cabbage in it is appealing to me. Lol.
Ah my recipe box is getting so big! That cake looks fantastic
Your cycling ride sounds awesome- so many miles! Good luck
Good luck with that cycle ride from Houston to Austin! THat sounds really fun actually! If I had a bike I would totally try to do something like that!
How did I not know you were in Texas??
I’m born and raised in Texas, went to grad school in Houston. That sounds like a great bike ride!
That cake look smazing! I’m gonna try it out.
so great that you’re doing that cycling ride! sounds intense but fun! wowww i would love that cake, so pretty!
that dessert looks amazing and so does the salad, actually
that cycling sounds intenseee !
xoxo
shelley
I’m so excited for your ride! I’m even more jealous that we don’t have anything like that here!
You are going to do great!
That banana cake looks delish!
It would be so fun to do a huge organized ride like that, and all of the rides leading up to it. Have you heard of RAGBRAI, the ride from one side of Iowa to the other? Since I grew up there, I have always wanted to participate!
wow that banana cake looks great!
Wow these are a ton of rides! That’s fantastic!
That salad and cake looks truly amazing. Banana and chocolate = match made in heaven. I’ll definitely make this cake as soon as possible.
I’m jealous of all of the riding you are doing! I need to dust my bike off!
First of all the dessert looks amazing! And what amazing riding events you have planned. You are so motivated!
That is so exciting, I would love to participate in a race like that!
i’ve heard of this race…that’s quite the undertaking! way to go you
YAY for doing the MS 150!! That is awesome! Since I am in AUstin we should meet up when you get here!!! I would love to meet the fabulous Gelareh in person!!!
That’s a lot of biking! Good luck! That cake looks incredible, by the way
What a fantastic event!! I love bike riding, but I know I’d have to do some serious training for such a long ride. I’m actually planning a 5k race for that same day
I hate when I forget my lunch, but heck yeah your cafeteria has a great deal for salads. That’s rare.
The chocolate banana cake looks fabulous. Such a pretty piece of cake too, I’d feel bad eating it! ok, not really..but you know what I mean.
Have a great day! Oh, and I hope your husband came home HAPPY last night.
that vegan cake looks absolutely gorgeous!! love the little blackberry on top. such an artistic touch
The MS-150 is definitely a big deal here! Last year was my first year in Houston and I had a few friends that rode in it. I would love to ride it, but have to wait until I have time/money to invest in a bike. Good luck with the training and fundraising!
Good luck with the training!
The cake looks yummy.
So cute and delcious-looking!! Impressive training — good luck!!
YUM!!! That cake looks awesome, Gelareh!
I just visited your food pictures and your about me. Love it. I love that pic of your dog and your food pics are really beautiful. You should be a photog! Very beautiful!
girl your Vegan-Gluten Free Chocolate Banana Cake looks totally AH MAY ZING!!!!!!!!!!! amazing work. love it!
I just want to eat a giant bowl of that chocolate frosting! And it is gluten-free? This looks like it was made just for me.
That’s an intense schedule! Good luck
And the vegan cake looks superb, especially how you presented it.
Gelareh, you take the most amazing photos!! That cake looks FANTASTIC! I need to make that ASAP.
Congrats on your ride! A friend of mine did a ride for MS last summer. Very inspiring!
I am DEF trying that banana cake. Looks delish!!!
:)
Oh, and great idea to combine steamed and raw veggies! I’ve never done that before but it sounds great!
That’s a lot of miles!! Sounds like fun. Your banana cakes looks so delicious, I may need to try that myself
omg that sounds like so much fun!!!! My hubs is from austin and that ride just sounds like so much fun! I love to cycle=) your gluten free chocolate banana cake looks out of this world too. Awesome! I hope you have a great weekend!
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