Message-ID: <9691592.1075854702405.JavaMail.evans@thyme> Date: Thu, 20 Apr 2000 09:27:00 -0700 (PDT) From: eric.bass@enron.com To: timothy.blanchard@enron.com Subject: Mime-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit X-From: Eric Bass X-To: Timothy Blanchard X-cc: X-bcc: X-Folder: \Eric_Bass_Dec2000\Notes Folders\Sent X-Origin: Bass-E X-FileName: ebass.nsf ---------------------- Forwarded by Eric Bass/HOU/ECT on 04/20/2000 04:27 PM --------------------------- Brian Hoskins 04/20/2000 11:26 AM To: John Arnold/HOU/ECT@ECT, Jeffrey A Shankman/HOU/ECT@ECT, Phillip K Allen/HOU/ECT@ECT, Mike Grigsby/HOU/ECT@ECT, Keith Holst/HOU/ECT@ect, Jim Schwieger/HOU/ECT@ECT, Brad McKay/HOU/ECT@ECT, Eva Pao/HOU/ECT@ECT, Peter F Keavey/HOU/ECT@ECT, Scott Neal/HOU/ECT@ECT, Sandra F Brawner/HOU/ECT@ECT, Jared Kaiser/HOU/ECT@ECT, Mike.maggi@enron.com, George N Gilbert/HOU/ECT@ECT, Jennifer Shipos/HOU/ECT@ECT, Susan Wood/HOU/ECT@ECT, troy.black@enron.com, Janelle Scheuer/HOU/ECT@ECT, Fred Lagrasta/HOU/ECT@ECT, Patrice L Mims/HOU/ECT@ECT, Hunter S Shively/HOU/ECT@ECT, Daniel Diamond/HOU/ECT@ECT, Dutch Quigley/HOU/ECT@ECT, Kenneth Shulklapper/HOU/ECT@ECT, John House/HOU/ECT@ECT, Dick Jenkins/HOU/ECT@ECT cc: (bcc: Eric Bass/HOU/ECT) Subject: Thanks to all of you for your generosity and support of the MS-150. This year's event was another huge success, with over 8,000 riders participating in the 180 mile bike ride to Austin. Enron once again had the largest team, breaking the national record with over 400 riders. This year, the MS Society expects to set a new fundraising record of over $3 million. With your support, Enron will again be the top fund-raising team with over $350,000 in pledges to date. Rest assured that your money will be put to good use in Multiple Sclerosis research as we try to find a cure for this terrible disease. The conditions were absolutely perfect this past weekend. The race started off at 7am Saturday morning from Tully Stadium in Houston. Team Enron once again had the privilege of starting first in the race. Things were going pretty well for me until mile 6, when another biker veered into my rear wheel. Luckily, I managed not to fall and no one was hurt, but my wheel was completely bent. I eventually found a support vehicle to take me to the first rest stop where they could do the repairs. Unfortunately, it took me over 2 hours to get my bike fixed. So much for the early start! The rest of the day went smoothly, and I was able to make up most of the time I had lost in the morning by riding through the rest stops. After lunch in Bellville, the roads had a few more hills, but the wind was cooperative all the way to LaGrange, the midway point of the race. In LaGrange, Enron treated us to massages, a barbeque dinner, and cold beer, all much appreciated after 100 miles of riding. The atmosphere in the camp is a lot of fun, with a band playing and riders filtering in all evening long with stories about the day's ride. The next morning, we got up bright and early at 5am for the MS Society's famous pancake breakfast. We needed the carbohydrates because the second day features the infamous Bastrop State Park and its killer hills. My legs were a little stiff the next morning, but after the first few miles I was warmed up and ready to go. I cruised through most of the morning until Bastrop. For the record, the hills in the park aren't half as bad as people say. It's actually one of my favorite parts of the ride because it's shaded by trees, and you get a lot of momentum going down the hills. Once we were out of the park, lunch was only a few miles away. I scarfed down some Subway sandwiches and brownies, refilled my Camelback, and was ready to go again. Only 40 miles left! After breezing through the first 20 miles, I started to wear down a little. At the same time, the wind picked up, so the last 20 miles were probably the toughest part. When you're that close to the finish line, you have to suck it up and keep going. They post mile markers the last 4 miles, and you can feel the anticipation building. The last mile of the race is packed with people on each side cheering you on. It's quite a rush when you get to the end. Upon arriving in Austin, I checked my bike on the truck back to Houston and enjoyed Hooter's chicken sandwiches and pasta salad. What a ride! Thanks again for your support. Just to let you know, I'll be coming around next week to collect your pledge. Your contribution is, of course, fully tax deductible. Enron is also doubling all pledges (the Cycling Club is taking care of the paperwork, so no need to fill out a form). Hope to see you in the race next year! Brian P.S. In case you're interested, here are some interesting facts on the race: http://ms150.org/learnfun.htm Pictures of last year's race. The 2000 pictures should be posted soon: http://ms150.org/learngallery.htm A map of the race: http://ms150.org/images/maps/breakl.jpg