Texas tornadoes play havoc with ICIS cyclists

 A team from ICIS Houston tackled an epic journey on two wheels across central Texas last week, but there was more than a bit of drama along the way.

Stephen Burns, Angela Garzon, Ron Marshall, Heather Doyle, Landon Feller and Steven McGinn, plus Fred Seelig of sister magazine ICB riding for Team BP, all began training in January for the 25th BP Multiple Sclerosis charity bike ride. The two-day event takes riders on a demanding journey all the way from Texas to Austin.

The team covered more than 2,000 cumulative miles from January and raised more than $4,000, including a $1,000 prize for winning the RE fit2win competition. To date the money has helped the 2009 event raise some $13 million.

Then, on the eve of the ride severe thunderstorms brought flooding and the threat of tornadoes to the central Texas corridor. The route's midway overnight spot at La Grange was washed out and managing editor Stephen Burns and wife Caro had to abandon an attempt to set up the team's camp, although they did manage to record some stark video footage.

Logistical issues meant that Landon, Steven and Fred were left carrying the flag for ICIS. They pedalled 66 miles through beautiful rolling hills covered in Texas wildflowers, with the scenery offset by a headwind of nearly 30 miles per hour.

"Crossing the finish line made me feel like a streetwalking cheetah with a heart full of napalm," Landon Feller declared.