Multiple Sclerosis, or MS in short, is a chronic, disabling disease that attacks the nervous system. Imaging your nerves like an electrical wire with insulation. In MS patients, the insulation becomes damaged (scar tissue - sclerosis) in places, causing the interruption or distortion of the signals. Symptoms maybe mild, such as numbness in the limbs, fatigues and pains, or severe such as complete loss of mobility or vision. There is no cure for MS. The disease attacks more women than men, and there's an estimated total of 400,000 Americans with MS, of whom more than 17,000 in Texas alone.

The MS150 is a fundraising bicycle ride benefiting the National Multiple Sclerosis Society. Participants ride their bicycles from Houston to Austin over a 2 day weekend with a night rest in La Grange. Team Chevron is a veteran of the tour with over 300 riders and volunteers (2006 figure) who are Chevron employees, contractors, retirees and their friends and family members. Depending on starting location and the route you choose it will be between 160 to 190 miles.

The MS150 is not a race, but a fundraising ride for both novice and the enthusiast. In fact, the majority of participants are recreational cyclists. The ride is fully supported, with water and rest stops every 10 miles, so consider the tour a series of 10 mile rides. Of course, the long ride does require some amount of preparation. Team Chevron offers a great training program to help you get ready. Chevron Health and Fitness Center staff at all Chevron facilities also offer cycling specific training to help you prepare for the ride.

Chevron employees, contractors and retirees, friends and family members are welcome to join Team Chevron. To join Team Chevron you need to write Team Chevron/Kiet Tran for team name and captain name on the registration form. Beside riding for a great cause, the team also offers exciting volunteer opportunities with different support activities during the tour weekend. Not a rider? You can sure volunteer.

No. All bikes that can roll can make the tour. Road bikes are certainly easier than mountain bikes or hybrids. I've seen unicycles, too.

Start with some indoor excercises with focus on cardio and strength during the week, and ride your bike on weekends. Pre-season training rides will begin in mid-November, and official training starts in January. The rides will be easy with increasing distance to build endurance. The various routes will increase in distance and difficulty as your fitness level improves. Note: all training rides will be supported, with SAG vehicles and water stops. As with any exercise program, check with your physician before starting.

Like all other teams, Team Chevron comprises of cyclists of all fitness levels. We encourage team members to 'buddy up' with others of similar fitness levels. Regardless of how fast or slow you are, there will always be someone around you along the way.

Except for Buscher State Park, which you can elect to avoid altogether, the hilly part of the tour is just rolling hills with moderate elevation. No, you don't need to possess Lance Armstrong's legs to get over those hills. But going through Buscher State Park is a kick by itself, and sure is lots of fun.

The tour offers plenty of break points every 10 to 15 miles that include snacks, fruits, drinks, and portable toilets. Well-trained medical staff are available in case you need assistance. Finally, there are those SAG vehicles that would pick up anyone who would prefer 4 wheels over 2 wheels, and take them to the next rest stop or the end of the ride.

Yes, a night of fun and festivities. There will be concert, fireworks, foods and all sorts of fun provided by the MS150. Team Chevron has a team tent where everyone will spend the night. Like last year, we'll transport 2 pieces of luggage for each member, and some members pack a cot + sleeping bag in one bag, a change of clothes and other personal items in the other bag so they don't have to sleep on the ground. Believe me, after 80-90 miles and a day of so much fun the ground would not feel all that bad.

Chevron volunteers and supporters will be welcoming you once you get to La Grange. Then you can get off your bike, take off those shoes and hop on one of our massage tables. The team offers foods (BBQ, pasta, hamburger), snacks and drinks throughout the day to help you recharge and get ready for the next day. Last year our volunteers were absolutely wonderful. We could not have done it without their support. I am sure this year it will be as much fun.

More scenic, a bit more hilly, but much easier and more fun as everyone knows they are halfway through the ride. You can choose a separate route to avoid the big downhill followed by lots of rather steep uphills at Buscher State Park. Then after that it's lunch in Bastrop, and cruising the rest of the way to the State Capitol where the celebration begins.

Most participants opt for the transportation provided by MS150 to return to Houston. You can prepay for transportation ($25) at registration, and will be riding a very comfy bus back to Houston while your bike is padded and safely transported back to Tully Stadium on a separate vehicle. Some participants choose the carpool option. They partner up with another cyclist, and leave one car in Austin the day before the tour and then drive it back to Houston. The lucky few have their family pick them up in Austin.

You are responsible for the registration fee of $50, and transportation back to Houston from Austin. In addition you pledge to raise $400 for the National MS Society. Team Chevron also requires a team fee of $20 to offset costs not covered by our sponsors. Team Chevron provides a team jersey, and pays for accommodations in La Grange, discount massage therapists and other amenities such as foods, snacks and drinks.

All you need to do is register with the MS150 online at http://www.ms150.org/ms150/register to ride with Team Chevron (Team name: Team Chevron; Captain: Kiet Tran). You might also want to join the distribution list (menu Membership>Join Team CVX) to receive email updates of news and events.

You can talk to one of our co-captains or coaches: Kiet Tran (kiet.tran@chevron.com - 713.754.5035), Mick McCrary (mkmccrary@chevron.com - 832.854.7898), Brittany Sanders (bsanders@chevron.com - 281.561.4760), Ed Forney (forneew@chevron.com - 832.854.5155), Chanta Son (sonc1@chevron.com - 713.754.5024).