Coach Joe Connection: The MS150 has been my annual focus for a very long time. It started in 1986 when I participated in my very first MS150 that went from Denton to the Eisenhower Dam and then to Paris, Texas. I wore a pair of plastic jogging shorts, T-shirt and tennis shoes. I rode a 58cm Schwinn with standard pedals (frame size was way too large for me).

Needless to say it left quite an impression on me and I vowed to never do it again ... without proper training that is! Over the years I have participated in 15 different MS150s with only two of them not being from Houston to Austin. In truth, I decided a long time ago that I should continue to support the mission of the MS Society for many more years to come. However, I grew unsure of how to be supportive to the event and to the cause.

The difficulty I have had throughout the years, however, is that I also enjoy the competitive side of cycling and have been racing since 1991. As I have grown in experience, skills and fitness, I realized that the Houston BP MS150 occurred right in the middle of the Spring Metro cup racing series, and now the TXBRA series for Texas. Unfortunately these events usually conflicted with my participation in both. So, for the last 10 years, I made choices to actively participate in other areas that would benefit the BP MS150. Fortunately, my opportunity to give back to the event by conducting Cycling Safety Clinics has also helped to accomplish TeamBP’s goal for increased safety on this ride.

When asked if I would be interested in coaching these clinics, I decided to make a go of it. Ten years later my right-hand lady, wife and life partner, Vickie, and I are still excited about pouring ourselves into helping in this capacity. Every year we are able to see repeat clinic participants, and are delightfully surprised at how their skills developed from the last time we saw them.

In fact, over this time period, we have witnessed children grow up and recreational sport cyclists take on the challenges of racing, or competitive cycling in one form or another. Needless to say, 10 years is a long time. For those interested in how I got in a position to do these clinics for TeamBP, feel free to ask because it is a long story for here; however, we must thank David Bumbaugh with a wink of understanding.

As TeamBP celebrates 10 years of dedication to being the title sponsor of the MS150, we hope it is possible to continue to raise millions of dollars for the research and care of persons with Multiple Sclerosis, and to promote cycling safety within the cycling community associated with the MS150. We also hope the team continues to advocate for and develop the culture of safety that extends beyond just one event. Vickie and I are excited about the possibilities for the growth of this program and we hope TeamBP will continue to ask us to help accomplish our part in the overall mission for the MS150.

Lastly, for all of you who continue to come to early morning mandatory safety clinics when it is cold, rainy, windy and unbearable ... we appreciate each of you and thank you for being there!