As we reported earlier, the organizing committee for the BPMS150, Houston – Austin bike tour wisely made the decision to “cancel” day 1 of the 2 day event, due to excessive rain, flooding, and generally nasty weather.
More than 10 inches of rain fell on Friday, accompanied by winds gusting in excess of 60 mph. On Saturday, more of the same hit the area. 6-8 inches of rain hit much of Day 1’s route, flooding the minor side streets like the state highways or Farm Market roads normally ridden by the bike riders. Many of the rest areas were under water or were too muddy to be used.
Despite that action, Day 2 started on time from La Grange, and the riders appeared from all over, like ants streaming to a picnic.
I’m not sure where they stayed over night, hopefully at their home or in an area hotel, but the La Grange campgrounds were mostly closed due to flooding, muddy conditions, and the huge tent cities themselves being flattened by the weather on Friday and Saturday.
Watch this video (no audio) taken in La Grange on Friday, the day before the BPMS150..
Saturday was preparation day. SAG Vans and Box Trucks gathered in Houston at noon, to get their MURS radio gear, signage and final instructions. The rain let up from time to time, but anyone outside their vehicle had to run fast to stay between the raindrops, and more failed in that task.
Here is a selection of photos taken on Saturday and Sunday. You can tell which photos were from Sunday, there wasn’t much water on the ground and there are usually more bicycle riders in the photos. 🙂
Live Radar Screen photo taken in Houston at 11:58am on Day 1 of BPMS150
Live Radar Screen photo taken in Houston at 11:58am on Day 1 of BPMS150
BPMS150 SAG drivers getting supplies and instructions in Houston on Day 1
BPMS150 – Car 54 where are you? This vehicle was the “turtle” for the event
SAG Van ready to splash!
BPMS150 – Car 54 where are you? This vehicle was the “turtle” for the event
BPMS150 – Car 54 where are you? This vehicle was the “turtle” for the event
BPMS150 SAG Vans getting supplies on Day 1
BPMS150 SAG Vans getting supplies on Day 1
BPMS150 SAG Vans getting supplies on Day 1
BPMS150 – Need a cabin on Day #2, See Suzanne Mountfort who coordinates all the bunk assignments.
BPMS150 – Camp Lone Star – Maryanne N5MYN resting with a book while hubby Alfred snores comfortably on the top bunk
BPMS150 Camp Lone Star – inside photo of our cabin showing bunk bed arrangements
BPMS150 Camp Lone Star – inside photo of our cabin showing bunk bed arrangements
Chuck Mountfort N5GCQ was in charge of all the Box Trucks for the BPMS150, was navigator for Box #7
Ray Evans (from Houston) driving BPMS150 Box Truck #7
BPMS150 – SAG Van #16, Maryanne N5MNW’s decorating work (on her side)
Radios installed in SAG van #20 for BPMS150
Radios installed in SAG van for BPMS150
SAG van decorated for BPMS150
BPMS150 – RedandWhiteTeam SAG van decorated for BPMS150
BPMS150 – RedandWhiteTeam SAG van decorated for BPMS150
BPMS150 SAG navigator Jeff N5MNW decorates his SAG Van #5
BPMS150 SAG navigator Jeff N5MNW decorates his SAG Van #5
BPMS150 SAG driver decorates his SAG Van
BPMS150 – Maryanne N5MYN decorates SAG #16
BPMS150 – Maryanne N5MYN decorates SAG #16
BPMS150 – Maryanne N5MYN decorates SAG #16
BPMS150 SAG #18 decorated appropriately for the weather as the “SS Wanderer” complete with life saver float on front
BPMS150 SAG Van #5 decorated with words of encouragement
BPMS150 SAG van #17 ready for action
BPMS150 Box #3 ready for action
BPMS150 SAG #41 ready for action
SAG van decorated by Shane NS5D for BPMS150, Kathy Johnson learning new tips on how to decorate
Meghann KE5KDR and mom (Kathy) decorating her SAG Van for the BPMS150
SAG van decorated by Shane NS5D for BPMS150
Meghann KE5KDR and Mom (Kathy) decorating her SAG Van for the BPMS150
Meghann KE5KDR decorating her SAG Van for the BPMS150
SAG van decorated by Shane NS5D for BPMS150
SAG van decorated for BPMS150
Houston ARES Ham Radio Van – has digipeater and portable repeaters on board
Houston ARES Ham Radio Van – has digipeater and portable repeaters on board
SAG vans arrive in La Grange on Day 1 at the Knights of Columbus Hall. Rain has just stopped (for now)
BPMS150 volunteers and SAG drivers waiting to get fed on Saturday night at the Knights of Columbus Hall in La Grange
BPMS150 volunteers and SAG drivers waiting to get fed on Saturday night at the Knights of Columbus Hall in La Grange
SAG drivers waiting to get fed on Saturday night at the Knights of Columbus Hall in La Grange
BPMS150 Riders on FM969 on Day 2
BPMS150 Riders on FM969 on Day 2
BPMS150 Rest Stop #4 – Riders waiting to load their bikes into Box Truck #3
BPMS150 Rest Stop #4 on Day 2, Ham Station with beam antenna in back of pickup truck
BPMS150 Rest Stop #4 on Day 2, Ham Station with beam antenna in back of pickup truck
BPMS150 Rest Stop #4 on Day 2
BPMS150 Rest Stop #4 – Riders waiting to load their bikes into Box Truck #3
BPMS150 Rest Stop #4 – Riders waiting to load their bikes into Box Truck #3
BPMS150 Rest Stop #4 – Riders waiting to load their bikes into Box Truck #3
BPMS150 Rest Stop #4 – Riders waiting to load their bikes into Box Truck #3
BPMS150 Rest Stop #4 – David KD5MTJ secures bikes into Box Truck #3
BPMS150 Rest Stop #4 – David KD5MTJ secures bikes into Box Truck #3
BPMS150 Motorcycle Safety Marshalls getting organized in La Grange on Day 2, glad the rain has gone
BPMS150 Motorcycle Safety Marshalls getting organized in La Grange on Day 2, glad the rain has gone
BPMS150 Motorcycle Safety Marshalls getting organized in La Grange on Day 2, glad the rain has gone
BPMS150 Motorcycle Safety Marshalls getting organized in La Grange on Day 2, glad the rain has gone
BPMS150 Motorcycle Safety Marshalls getting organized in La Grange on Day 2, glad the rain has gone
Riders on the road, Day 2, heading for La Grange starting line
BPMS150 – SAG Van drivers wait outside the entrance of Buescher State Park on Day 2
Shane NS5D in BPMS150 SAG #20 studing the map to see where the route goes, while outside Buescher State Park entrance on Day 2
Milton N5HMJ taking photo of me, outside Buescher State Park entrance on Day 2 of the BPMS150
BPMS150 Riders turning into Buescher State Park entrance on Day 2
BPMS150 Riders turning into Buescher State Park entrance on Day 2
BPMS150 Riders turning into Buescher State Park entrance on Day 2
BPMS150 Box trucks & busses waiting at entrance of Buescher State Park on Day 2
BPMS150 – Entrance of Buescher State Park on Day 2
BPMS150 – Entrance of Buescher State Park on Day 2
BPMS150 SAG1 – Randy (driver) and Susan KB5ICO (navigator) waiting at entrance of Buescher State Park on Day 2
BPMS150 – Box truck and bus waiting at Day 2 Rest Stop #6
BPMS150 – Riders taking a break at Rest Stop 6, the last stop before the finish line on Day 2
BPMS150 – Riders taking a break at Rest Stop 6, the last stop before the finish line on Day 2
BPMS150 Rest Stop #6, Riders waiting to load their bikes into Box Truck #3
Traffic Jam coming into Austin, but the riders have their own lane.
As we reported earlier, the organizing committee for the BPMS150, Houston – Austin bike tour wisely made the decision to “cancel” day 1 of the 2 day event, due to excessive rain, flooding, and generally nasty weather. 
Despite that action, Day 2 started on time from La Grange, and the riders appeared from all over, like ants streaming to a picnic. 