Riders from across West Texas set off early Saturday morning to take part in the National Multiple Slerosis Society’s two-day 150 mile fundraiser ride, the Bike MS: Cactus and Crude Ride. Approximately 100 riders took part in the Saturday morning event, which according to the National Multiple Slerosis Society’s website, raised $222,863 for the West Texas leg of the nationwide event that draws nearly 75,000 cyclists and 6,000 teams annually. Riders spend Saturday night in Lamesa before setting off early the next morning to finish the trek to Lubbock.
1 of 17
Cyclists set off at the start of the Bike MS: Cactus and Crude Ride early Saturday morning at Apache Corporation in Midland. The Cactus and Crude is a two-day 150 mile fundraiser bike ride starting in Midland early Saturday and ending in Lubbock Sunday. Funds raised through the event go towards the National Multiple Sclerosis Society. (Odessa American/Eli Hartman)
Cyclists ride along a stretch of East Loop 250 North as they take part in the Bike MS: Cactus and Crude Ride early Saturday morning at Apache Corporation in Midland. According to the National Multiple Sclerosis Society website, riders and their teams participating in the Cactus and Crude Ride raised a total of $222,863 for the charity. Top fundraising teams included Endeavor Energy, EOG Resources and the Chevron MidContinent Business Unit. (Odessa American/Eli Hartman)
The sun rises behind a cyclist waiting for the start of the Bike MS: Cactus and Crude Ride early Saturday morning at Apache Corporation in Midland. (Odessa American/Eli Hartman)
Bike MS volunteers and staff hold a safety meeting before the official start of the Bike MS: Cactus and Crude Ride early Saturday morning at Apache Corporation in Midland. (Odessa American/Eli Hartman)
Cyclists prepare the road bikes for the Bike MS: Cactus and Crude Ride early Saturday morning at Apache Corporation in Midland. (Odessa American/Eli Hartman)
Cyclist Spencer Shotts puts on his cycling shoes before the start of the Bike MS: Cactus and Crude Ride early Saturday morning at Apache Corporation in Midland. (Odessa American/Eli Hartman)
From left, Kyle Olson, Joy Miller and Marlon Miller grab coffee and breakfast pastries before the start of the Bike MS: Cactus and Crude Ride early Saturday morning at Apache Corporation in Midland. (Odessa American/Eli Hartman)
Jake Linton prepares a drink mix as he waits for the start of the Bike MS: Cactus and Crude Ride early Saturday morning at Apache Corporation in Midland. (Odessa American/Eli Hartman)
Jodi Rector, center right, and Hans Mensch, right, check in at the Bike MS: Cactus and Crude Ride registration tent early Saturday morning at Apache Corporation in Midland. (Odessa American/Eli Hartman)
Cyclists line up at the start of the Bike MS: Cactus and Crude Ride early Saturday morning at Apache Corporation in Midland. (Odessa American/Eli Hartman)
Spectators wait at the corner for the official start to the Bike MS: Cactus and Crude Ride early Saturday morning at Apache Corporation in Midland. (Odessa American/Eli Hartman)
Chevron rider Scott Boyden wheels his bicycle to the registration area of the Bike MS: Cactus and Crude Ride early Saturday morning at Apache Corporation in Midland. The Cactus and Crude is a two-day 150 mile fundraiser bike ride starting in Midland early Saturday and ending in Lubbock Sunday. Funds raised through the event go towards the National Multiple Sclerosis Society. (Odessa American/Eli Hartman)
Cyclists line up at the start of the Bike MS: Cactus and Crude Ride early Saturday morning at Apache Corporation in Midland. (Odessa American/Eli Hartman)
Cyclists applaud other teams as event staff announce the amount of funds raised for the National Multiple Sclerosis Society at the start of the Bike MS: Cactus and Crude Ride early Saturday morning at Apache Corporation in Midland. According to the National Multiple Sclerosis Society website, riders and their teams participating in the Cactus and Crude Ride raised a total of $222,863 for the charity. Top fundraising teams included Endeavor Energy, EOG Resources and the Chevron MidContinent Business Unit. (Odessa American/Eli Hartman)
Cyclists stand for the National Anthem before the official start of the Bike MS: Cactus and Crude Ride early Saturday morning at Apache Corporation in Midland. (Odessa American/Eli Hartman)
Cyclists set off at the start of the Bike MS: Cactus and Crude Ride early Saturday morning at Apache Corporation in Midland. (Odessa American/Eli Hartman)
A cyclist gives the “guns up” hand sign as they ride along a stretch of East Loop 250 North as they take part in the Bike MS: Cactus and Crude Ride early Saturday morning at Apache Corporation in Midland. (Odessa American/Eli Hartman)
