---------------------- 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