Tomorrow is MS-150

I woke up this morning with a sense of anticipation and thrill. Today is the MS-150 expo at Frisco and tomorrow morning we are riding towards the Texas Motor Speedway. There has been a slight change of plans due to the Swine Flu scares and the second day's ride starts and ends at the Texas Motor Speedway. This ride will be a testing one for me because it has been 16 years since I did any serious bicycling. As part of my training the best time I could manage was 12.3 miles per hour and the longest distance I did in a day was about 50 miles. The first day's MS-150 ride is about 80 miles. I sure I don't collapse midway and cause a nuisance for the organizers. I am quite determined to complete the ride, but let us see what happens tomorrow.

For now take a look at the map of both days ride and you will get an idea of what I am up to.

Hawaii - Great Destination for leisure, adventure and weddings

During the past 18 months that I have been in the US, I have met several people who claim that Hawaii is their favorite holiday destination. I have never been to Hawaii but I have seen pictures and I am definitely mesmerized. Recently I came to know of Maui Resort , one of the best in Hawaii and it offers some amazing activities. Being born in the Pisces sun sign I am a great water sports lover and to my delight this resort offers a plethora of activities including Snorkeling expeditions, hiking, bicycling, helicopter rides, historic cruises and whale watching.

Apart from being a holiday destination, Hawaii is also popular for its glamorous and beautiful Maui Weddings . Couples plan their wedding here because they are organized with such pomp and glamor unmatched elsewhere. So if you and your significant other wish to get married or if you are already married and wish to renew your vows head to Hawaii and I am sure you will come back rejuvenated and happier.

One day remaining for the MS-150

The day is finally dawning upon me and I don't know whether I am fully prepared or not. I haven't been able to train during the past week because of moving. I am quite confident that I will complete the ride but only thing is that it wouldn't be as effortlessly as I had originally envisaged. Tomorrow is the grand inaugural expo of the MS ride and I am definitely looking forward to it.
I received an email from the organizers that there will be a change of route because of the Swine Flu pandemic which is raging across the continent of North America. There has been one confirmed death in Texas and several cases reported in the DFW metroplex too. Some county governments have prohibited all public gatherings to stem the spread of the virus through carriers. Hence the original end of the route has been changed and a new route has been set up which we will know about tomorrow. Let us see what day after tomorrow holds.

Enjoy outdoors without worrying about mosquitos!

Spring and summer provide a much awaited break from cold winters which confine us to heated indoor spaces and prevent us from enjoying the great outdoors. Activities such as sun bathing, barbecue, outdoor picnics are best enjoyed in the warm weather. But with warm weather brings its own problems, a plague of mosquitoes and other biting into your backyard. These insects pose a big irritation and play spoilsport to your enjoyable time with family and friends.

Mosquitoes are natural blood suckers and get attracted by our body warmth. Some people think that mosquitoes don't live that long and after a few weeks they disappear on their own. First fact is that this is grossly false. The second is a greater reason to guard against these flying pests. Mosquitoes are air-borne carriers of several disease causing viruses such as the West Nile virus and different strains of bacteria. These microscopic organisms cause diseases such as Malaria, Dengue and Encephalitis.

People have tried numerous methods to get rid of this mosquito menace. Things like mosquito repellent ointments, window meshes, mosquito repellent sprays, etc have been introduced in the market by various companies. But none have provided a proven, lasting, long-term and safe solution to the problem of mosquitoes. But now there is a huge ray of hope for those of us pestered by mosquitoes. I read the review of Mosquito Magnet traps online and I am quite impressed by the different things this product can do. This is a unique gadget which mimics the human body and attracts mosquitoes towards itself and kills them all. This can be placed anywhere indoors or outdoors, they can run non-stop for 24 hours. After watching an explanatory video on their website I think this is going to provide the much needed relief from mosquitoes.

The product has received glowing reviews. One mosquito magnet review from K. McLeod Hanover, MA reads something like: "I live in Hanover, Massachusetts and purchased a Mosquito Magnet® for my pool area. I turned it on last May and it immediately started catching bags full of mosquitoes. During the course of last summer I noticed the mosquito population around my home had decreased and by August had almost completely disappeared. I have already started the trap this year and noticed an unbelievable difference in the limited amount of mosquitoes in my yard this year. We enjoy our pool more than ever and appreciate that the Mosquito Magnet® has made our backyard safer for our kids and a more pleasurable place to be."

This is just a sample review, there are hundreds of others who have been helped by this amazing product. They have been able to use their backyard again, spend time at the pool, enjoy outdoor activities with family, let kids play in their backyards, etc. This summer I am going to install one of these cool gadgets in our backyard and we will also enjoy summer in true outdoor style, thanks to Mosquito Magnet.

Bicycle tricks and stunts

When I started training for the MS-150 bicycle ride last month, I added another facet to the training. To learn some cool and wacky bike tricks while training. How do I learn them? If it was old days when Internet wasn't there, I'd have to depend on TV and memory and a lot of trail and error. But now with Youtube there are thousands of self-styled experts teaching how to do stunts on a bicycle and a host of other things.

I liked these two stunts very much and tried practicing them during my training. Of course I haven't succeeded in mastering the tricks yet... but I hope to get there some day and when I do get there I will surely post some nice videos. And till then you could enjoy watching these guys.

Kits to Guard against Swine Flu

Swine flu has quickly assumed global proportions. The deadly disease has left over 140 dead in Mexico and hundreds more infected. Even the world's most powerful democracy, United States, has not been spared. The first death was reported today. The deceased, a child had traveled from Mexico to Houston, Tx for treatment of Swine flu and succumbed to the deadly disease. Incidences of this disease has been reported from as far afield as in India and New Zealand too.

As of now there has not been any major breakthrough in controlling the spread of this disease. The only thing one can do is to guard against contracting this disease by getting hold of a swine flu pandemic kit. These kits are selling like hot cakes as everyone wants to protect themselves and their loved ones. Get our kit and ensure your protection. This could save several lives, including your own.

Two More days for the big weekend!!!

The much-awaited Big Bike Weekend is just two days away. I have trained intermittently for this event, definitely not as much as I would have liked to have done. But more than the physical training part of the ride, I have been frustrated and saddened by the fact that only couple of my friends have actually agreed to donate to the cause and help me reach my modest fund-raising goal. Statistically the US is the largest giving country... almost $8 billion a year is given away to charity by people, corporations and foundations. But somehow I haven't been able to raise a mere $300, wonder why? Maybe my approach was not right, maybe I didn't talk to the right people, maybe I don't know the right people. Whatever the reason maybe... the bottom line is that I have failed in my goal to raise funds for a worthy cause.

I am pretty sure that Multiple Sclerosis (MS) and its ramifications upon patients is well known to most people. But still I wonder why 98% of the people I wrote to didn't consider donating towards research for finding a cure for MS. Maybe they have other pet charities to which they donate.

On the physical front also I haven't trained to the level I wanted to. For the past 5 days I haven't cycled even one mile. I could give a hundred reasons for not doing but the plain and simple truth is I haven't done it. Our moving homes did take a lot of my energy and time and also my approaching exams are taking me out of physical activity towards studies.

I just hope I would be able to ride the 160 miles smoothly... even if I am the last guy to cross the finish line it is fine. But my worst nightmare would be to collapse midway, unable to ride. I hope that wont happen...

And last but not the least, here is a last entreaty to all my blog readers to contribute to my cause, every $ counts. Do take time to visit my page and donate. All I am asking you all is to sponsor $0.10 for every mile I ride.. i.e. $16.00. That is not much is it?

Click here to contribute.

Rolex Watches at affordable price!

Yes you read it right, I just visited the website of Best of Time - Where Time Lasts Forever, where one could buy genuine Rolex watches for a fraction of its manufacturer suggested retail prices. How is this possible? Rolex is a globally respected brand name?? According to their website Best of Time is an independent dealer of new and pre-owned Rolex Watches, due to which they are able to pass on greater discounts to customers.

When I first saw the prices I couldn't believe it. Rolex watches priced at $4,000 can be bought for less than half its price here. Take for example one of my favorite Rolex Models, the Date just, it retails at $7800, but at Best of Time, you could buy it for just $2,899.95 only. Isn't that a great bargain price?

Another feature of Best of time is their strong customer orientation. Their goal is not just selling watches but make this process hassle free and comfortable for you, the buyer. So if you have always dreamed of owning a Rolex, this is the time to buy and the place to buy is Best of Time.

Permanent Abode for sale?

This advertisement was published in a local newspaper in their religion section. Feeling this kind of advertising and promotion even for after-death services is amazing. Simply put, people in the US have mastered the art of marketing. Everything under the sun is for sale for the right price.

Texas Road Views

Some pictures shot while traveling recently. These are nothing great but general sights I see on the road. Hope you all like the views.

This is a shopping mall.. built in a different style with parking lots bigger than the buildings

Loaded pick up trucks are a common sight in Texas

Texas is a state full of multi-level highway intersections.

Hacking could be a lucrative career option!

The days when gun-wielding, masked men barging into a home/ office/ bank with an intention to rob and loot are gone. In the modern wired world thieves are suave, tech-savvy, educated and skilled people. They tamper with the IT Security of banks, individuals and businesses and rob them through the computer, using internet and telecommunications technologies.

To combat these types of white-collared crooks a new genre of professionals known as "Ethical Hackers" are being deployed. Network and system security are very important in the modern world heavily dependent upon electronic media. What is Ethical Hacking? This is the process in which software experts help organizations take preventive security measures against hackers. These professionals work like a vaccine, they attack the system, but with an intention of strengthening its security.

With the rise in internet and technology proliferation the job opportunities for a well trained and
Certified Ethical Hacker is on the rise. Organizations increasingly depend on technology, the job of the ethical hacker is becoming more complex. Keeping this in mind there are numerous organizations such as EC-Council that offer courses and certify individuals interested in becoming a ethical hacker.

In my opinion though it sounds like a glamorous career option with great earning potential, this is not for everyone. To become an ethical hacker one needs to be creative and think out of the box and come up with innovative security solutions for organizations. If you are interested in a career in ethical hacking just go ahead and sign up for a course in the subject and you will be equipped for a great recession-proof career.

Wills Point - A Texas Village

Wills Point is a small town or rather I'd say a village in back country Texas. since this is sited on the way to Lake Tawakoni we stopped by for lunch here. Like most Indian villages this Texas rural hamlet is also a one-road town. In the sense that this city has one main road which is a highway running through its downtown/ commercial district. After lunch I just walked around few blocks to caputre some pictures of Wills Point.

Will Point's main square... doesn't it look familiar??? I have seen a similar square/ round gazebo-like intersection in almost every Indian village

Looks like the city's largest business house

Thanks to road infrastructure like this, there is no real village in the US

Wills Point even has a visitor information center... wonder why???

Lake Tawakoni - Reservoir which looks like an ocean!

Yesterday we visited Lake Tawakoni State Park, sited deep in the countryside of Hunt County of Texas. Though it is sited less than 100 miles from Dallas, the drive is through several tiny villages and towns. Since spring is just starting, the weather was not too hot and lush greenery could be seen all around, hence we could enjoy the drive without feeling hot and bothered. According to Texas Parks and Wildlife website, this is one hell of a big lake. The water spans across 36,700 surface-acres and stores the waters of Sabine river. When we visited the lake it was very very windy, due to which waters of the lake were as choppy as a stormy sea. Here are some pictures of this wonderful lake.
Like all other state parks in Texas there are numerous recreation and leisure facilities available. Clean bathrooms, trash pick up sites, camp grounds and electrified camp sites (luxury in the wild???)... biking trails, walking paths, etc are available. But my favorite is of course the vast sandy swimming beach where one can enter the water and enjoy to the heart's content. The love of water is inbuilt in me, belonging to the fishy zodiac sign.

Explore Switzerland the slow and steady way

In my opinion travel is best done slow and relaxed. Visiting some place is not to see everything there but to feel and absorb the essence of the location. This can be done only when the mode of transport is such that you becoming part of the scenery and not just look at it. What better way to do this than travel by bike?

Europe is a great place for bicycling. Within Europe one nation stands out in terms of scenic beauty, natural attractions and rolling countrysides. Yes you guessed right, it is Switzerland. One of my biggest dreams is to travel across this stamp-sized nation by bicycle! Being an avid bike enthusiast I have been exploring the net trying to find out ways and means of taking a quick bike holiday in this wondrous mountain nation.

I came across Bike Switzerland, a premier bicycle tour company based in Geneva. Their tours offer participants a glimpse to the rich diversity, history and outdoor grandeur of Switzerland. The tours emphasis is on luxury, relaxation, experience and value for clients money. The itineraries are designed such that cyclists get to travel on backroads of the nation and see end to end of Switzerland in just 7-8 days.

Of course if you are the explorer types, you could opt for an independent tour package and discover Swiss hospitality on your own. If you would rather enjoy the luxury of having all the arrangements taken care, then opt for a guided bicycle tour and you can experience stay in castles, monasteries, chalets and spa hotels.

You don't have to worry about your baggage transfers or on-road bike repairs or anything like that. All those little details are taken care of by Bike Switzerland. All you need to do is to bicycle and enjoy your holiday.

Last Year's MS 150

Since I registered and started training for the National MS Society's, MS-150 bicycle ride, I have been searching the web for videos about the previous events. This is basically to learn about the format of the event and also to get an idea of what its going to be like on May 2-3 this year. I found this video of last years event and felt that it would be great to share with all my blog readers.
My fund raising efforts are still on, few people have committed to donate for the cause of MS, nobody has actually donated yet. Hopefully in the next ten days I will achieve my fund-raising goal.

Single in Miami? Find your soulmate here!!!

Localization and micro-focussing is the buzzword in everything now. Similarly internet dating sites which are local, catering to a small geographic area are attracting more attention than ever. One draw is there is the possibility of being able to meet in person after a few e-mails which would be difficult in a long-distance romance. One of the newest websites launched in this space caters to residents of Miami. This miami personals website is a space where guys and girls based in Miami or those planning to move to Miami can find love.

There are numerous interactive tools which will help you zero-in the ideal partner and pursue a prospective love interest. The website offers a suitable platform to meet prospective lovers, friends and life partners. The best part of the deal is that it is absolutely free to join and post your profile. You can also browse the existing profiles for free. So if you are out there looking for a date, mate or a life partner go ahead and look up this website.

Inspirations for the MS-150 Bike ride

Since I registered for the Sam's club MS-150 bike ride I have been training on bicycling trails in the area and also looking up information, videos, pictures and articles about MS and the past rides. I found this video presentation of 2007 MS-150 bike ride and thought I'd share it with all of you.

Finding the right Dentist!

Finding the right dentist for your family can be a challenging task. Dentists are not only as important as any other medical professional you would consult with, but they are the ones who can make or mar your smile and facial appearance. Hence it is important that you find the right dentist for your entire family. I recently came across this Plano Dentist who offers services in all aspects of dentistry including cosmetic, general and family dentistry.

This dental office prides itself in making you feel comfortable and relaxed right from the moment you enter their office. Whatever your need maybe, just a routine cleaning or consultation for your child or even enhancing your smile to make it bright and glorious, the dentists here will offer you the right solutions.

And don't worry about the costs, these Plano Dentists don't expect you to pay an arm and a leg for their services. They accept all PPO insurance and will work with your checks, credit cards or cash payments. So if you want your teeth and smile to be in good hands get in touch with the best.

Training on Plano Trails

The past couple of days I have been training in the city of Plano, Tx. This city unlike Carrollton (where I live) has better maintained and longer bicycling trails. There are three trails which I frequent The Blue Bonnet Trail, Preston Ridge Trail and Chisolm Trail. Since I wanted to seriously train I didn't carry my camera, so you all will have to be content with word pictures.
Moreover today was perhaps a bad day for cycling because the wind was heavy and one direction of my cycling was a tough cookie... the harder I cycled the more resistant the wind became... so I guess I would have expended twice the amount of energy to do the same distance.

The Blue Bonnet Trail is a 5-mile long trail which passes through various residential neighborhoods and parks. This East-West trail is lined by large expanses of blue bonnet plants. It is a treat to the eye to watch these blue blossoms swaying in the wind as we whiz past on the trail. I kinda don't like this trail very much because this has too many street crossings and there is very little tree cover... actually no tree cover at all.

Then there is the Preston Ridge Trail... this is also a long trail which runs in the North-South direction and like the Blue Bonnet trail much of it is through residential communities and hence quite boring too. The one better feature of this trail is that this is wee bit hilly and one can experience climbs and down hills. The last mile of the trail, close the highway 121, is through a protected forest and has quite a bit of tree cover and a large artificial lake.

The last trail Chisolm Trail is my favorite, for two reasons, this a lots of tree cover, runs along a winding creek and has very few street crossings. Whenever a road has to be crossed the trail passes under the road via a cool bridge. There are beautiful lake views, forest areas, conservation buffer zones etc, along the trial. And of course I caught glimpses of urban wildlife... geese, ducks, cranes, egrets, and of course the ubiquitous cormorants and crows. Chisolm trail also passes along a large lake in an area known as Big Lake Park and a war memorial, known as Memorial Park. These attractions give a unique character to this trail and thus my favourite.

I enjoyed cycling 30 miles (50 km) today, took me 2 hrs 45 mins and hopefully I will do more tomorrow and the days to come.

Needless to say I am still looking for donations for my cause - Eradication of Multiple Sclerosis. Do visit my page and contribute generously to this needy cause.

Contemporary Furniture

I have always been of the firm opinion that a home should have minimum furniture and maximum space. But then this principle doesn't mean that we sacrifice any of our necessities. For example I need a utilitarian desk to work at home. But most desks available in furniture stores are so big and hog so much space I'd find it difficult to fit it in my corner niche.
Recently I visited this cool online rustic furniture store where I found just the right desk for my corner. The Walnut 3 Drawer Corner Desk is simply utilitarian, consumes little space and is shaped different making it a unique piece of furniture. The desk gives a natural earthy feel to my study and being hand-crafted it gives a human touch. Now that I have found this online store, I am sure I will be visiting this regularly to check out their offerings.

Vistas of Campion Trail, Irving

I had blogged earlier about my bicycling experience on the 5-mile Campion trail in Irving as part of my training for the MS-150 bike ride. Well one thing I must say about this trail is its natural and man-made beauty. While some of the river views along the trail are stunning.. the sight of the mega highways of Texas is no less awesome. If trees, river and birds soothe your soul, the road sight and traffic noises make you starkly aware of human intervention here.

Here are some more pictures shot along the trail.

Training on Irving's Bicycling Trails

While in India I had often heard "there are separate lanes for bicycles in Europe and US". Since I started training for the MS-150 bicycle ride, I am beginning to discover that this is in fact true. However those people had missed a slight detail: the bicycle trails are not part of the road network, but are located inside entertainment and leisure areas such as parks, national forests, river sides etc. While these trails are a boon for the leisure cyclist it is no comfort to a person who prefers to commute by bicycle.


View Larger Map

Anyway coming back to my adventures on two wheels of a different, slower, human-powered variety. Yesterday I clocked about 20 miles of bicycling on two trails: Campion trail in Irving, Tx and the Blue Bonnet Trail in Plano, Tx. I carried my camera for the Campion Trail ride... which actually slowed down my progress.

The Campion trail is about 5 miles in length and passes through three parks and along the elm fork of Trinity River. Like every other park in the US there are walking places, restrooms (mobile variety), picnic areas, benches, trash cans, river view look out points, river side fishing and canoe launch sites, etc. For the first time I saw two Desi's (persons of Indian origin) fishing in the river. Here are some pictures of the trail experience.

Training... Training and more training

Now-a-days the primary pre-occupation of my mind is on the MS-150 bike ride, the date of which is fast approaching. Until recently I had been training off and on in the gym, on some trails and mostly using the mountain bike. But yesterday I decided to change my training regimen and increase the number of miles I ride. Hence I took down the Miyata racing cycle which I had bought recently at a garage sale. It was a pleasant difference to ride a low-slung racing bicycle after a long time. Initially it was a challenge to maintain balance and effectively manage gears.. but once I got a hang of it, riding this bike became a piece of cake. I am trying to clock at least 10 miles a day on the bicycle so on May 2 & 3 I will be well prepared to do the 80 miles required.

Meanwhile I found this video of another individual who is riding to raise funds for Multiple Sclerosis and felt it was an inspiring one. Do take a look and let me know what you think. And of course do take time to visit my participant page and donate for the cause.

Join me to eradicate Multiple Sclerosis

I had earlier blogged about registering for a 160-mile bicycle ride to obtain donations for Multiple Sclerosis Research. Well as the D-day approaches I continue to scout for generous people who could open their hearts and wallets and donate for this cause. I recently came across this video which features real people suffering from MS. Apart from being MS affected people they all have one thing in common: They are all working to make a difference for the millions of others affected by the same disease.

Should we leave the problem of MS to those afflicted and their families and friends? I don't think so.. I believe that everyone in this world should get involved and work towards making a difference. The final questions boils down to: What will you do to eradicate MS from the world?

The easiest way perhaps is to support my ride.

Bike MS 150

Embedded is a promotional video about the Bike MS 150 in which I am participating and struggling to reach my fund-raising commitment. I call upon all my blog readers to come forward and support the Bike MS: SAM'S CLUB Ride 2009 * May 2-3, 2009 * Frisco to Fort Worth

Ride for MS Getting Closer

A little over a week ago I registered for the Bike MS: SAM'S CLUB Ride 2009 * May 2-3, 2009 * Frisco to Fort Worth. Fully understanding that this two-day, 160 mile bicycle ride will be a testing experience for both my body and spirit, I started training on my training and practice on the bicycle and at the gym. Like any new enterprise this too sailed smoothly for almost a week, I would either hit the trail on the MTB or the Gym to work out my thigh muscles.

But all this came to a halt two days ago... the MTB had a flat and I started feeling over confident. Now I look at the calendar and see that there is only a months time left for preparing myself as well as raising the modest $300 donations for the National MS Society, a commitment I made when I signed up for the ride. I am certainly going to hit the gym tomorrow and the trail from day after... otherwise I will cut a sorry figure in front of 4,000 cyclists who are going to be participating in the 160-mile ride.

Texas Sculpture Garden - IV

You all must be wondering how much I am going to blog about Texas Sculpture Garden... well this may be the final blog for this time... whenever I get a chance to revisit the place I will post more pictures of those artworks which I couldn't get to this time. This post will have more pictures of the beautiful landscaping of the place than the actual sculptures, so enjoy the views...

Texas Sculpture Garden - III

Texas Sculpture Garden is a huge space and sprawls several square miles. There are over 100 beautiful works of modern art, several water bodies, lakes, fountains, water falls, landscaped gardens, walking trails, etc. I visited only a part of the entire space and I plan to go there again... possible this weekend and bicycle across the trails. This way I will be able get some training for the 160-mile bicycle ride from Frisco, Tx to Fort Worth, Tx to raise awareness about Multiple Sclerosis.

Here are some more pictures of the Texas Sculpture Garden...

Some artistic expressions are strange

Another Sculpture - I don't know the meaning

Like a Metal Tree

Bright and Intriguing

A metal wreath???

Another Bright one

An entrance arch possibly...

Online Motorcycle Commuinty

There is something about people who ride motorcycles, they forge friendships very easily. Bikers can talk all day and all night about their favorite rides, motorcycles and communities. Every motorcycle rider has a story. The proliferation of internet has given rise to a unique online motorcycle community which is a virtual meeting place for bikers of all types. The community is not limited to any geographical region, it is global.

This community a one stop shop for information about motorcycles, modifications, parts, rides and everything conceivable about these endearing two-wheeled wonders. It also acts as a platform for motorcycle enthusiasts from across the world to meet and exchange ideas, thoughts and information about technical stuff. There are user-uploaded pictures, videos and stories about biking and motorcycles. This community will sure hold the attention of every biker acorss the world.

Texas Sculpture Garden - II

Like I had mentioned in my previous post I have shot loads of pictures of the art installations, the walking trails and the landscaping around the Texas Sculpture Garden, Frisco. Here are some more pictures for you all to admire and of course do let me know what you feel about this super-rich man's hobby... art collection...

And of course I urge you all to consider donating for the cause of Multiple Sclerosis. I have registered to participate in the 160-mile bicycle ride from Frisco, Tx to Fort Worth, Tx to raise funds for the same.

Enjoy the pictures now!!!

Water Monster installation

Water Monster installation - Another picture

A landscaped "Waterfall"

"Waterfall" - Another view

Sculpture installation by the water

One of the many lakes that have been created in the Texas Sculpture Garden!

I Ride to eradicate Multiple Sclerosis

Multiple Sclerosis (MS) aka disseminated sclerosis or encephalomyelitis disseminata is a progressive neurological disorder that affects people in many different ways. Patients afflicted with MS could be suffering paralysis one day, loss of vision the next or impaired memory the day after that. Living with MS means living with complete uncertainty.

Personally speaking I had not heard about MS until 2005. One day I received an e-mail from Aussie biker Ralph Dixon, who was setting out on a motorcycle journey from Sydney to London. The aim of the ride was to raise funds for and create awareness about MS. I came to know much later that Dixon himself was a MS sufferer and this motorcycle ride was indeed much more challenging than if a normal person were to do it. Dixon was indeed courageous to undertake a journey of such proportions. Back then I decided that when I get an opportunity I will do something for MS sufferers.

Couple of days ago I got this opportunity in the form of an adventurous activity - Bike MS: SAM'S CLUB Ride 2009 * May 2-3, 2009 * Frisco to Fort Worth. This is a two-day 160 mile bicycle ride which will see over 4,000 people riding across the DFW Metroplex, bearing the searing heat of Texas. All these people come together with one goal to help raise funds for research to find a cure for MS.

Every year the National MS Society, US organizes various outdoor activities to raise funds for research on finding a cure for MS. Long distance walking, running and bicycling are among the most popular ones. Bicycling being one of my favorite activities, I decided to sign up and be part of this mission to eradicate Multiple Sclerosis.

Apart from paying a nominal registration fee ($40) every participant has to pledge to raise a certain $ amount as donations for the National MS Society. I have registered and have set myself a modest goal of $300 and have started my fund-raising effort. I would be thankful if you all could help me achieve my fund-raising goal and at the same time help millions of MS sufferers get closer to a permanent cure.