2011 was our first year riding the BP MS150, and it feels good to be helping the MS Society. My wife, Nubia, also sees this as an opportunity to gain cycling experience, so she will be able to participate in a cycling adventure, like our son Kevin and I did last year.

Coach Connection: The MS150 has been my annual focus for a very long time. It started in 1986 when I participated in my very first MS150 that went from Denton to the Eisenhower Dam and then to Paris, Texas. I wore a pair of plastic jogging shorts, T-shirt and tennis shoes. I rode a 58cm Schwinn with standard pedals (frame size was way too large for me).

Two years ago was my first BP MS150 and my first year of road-bike riding. Training for the ride was a big encouragement to get into the sport, and a great opportunity to meet people. If you ask me what I liked the most about the ride it was the cheering and support from the public all along the route, and the feeling that you're doing it for a good cause.

Some people refer to me as the “Big Kahuna,” “Kahuna,” or even “Field Marshal Kurt.” I received the Big Kahuna nickname because everybody loves to follow behind me when riding into the wind. They say I block a lot of wind. Just don’t refer to me as “breaking a lot of wind.”

I started riding the MS150 with Team BP nine years ago when the event was mentioned to me by a former BP employee. I thought, “That could be fun, and a good way to get in shape while making some new friends.”

I began riding with Team BP in 2002 to train for my first MS150. That year, my main reason for riding was for a physical challenge. I had just moved down from Alaska, where I was born and raised, and the thought of riding 187 miles from Houston to Austin seemed unachievable. The ConocoPhillips training series really helped in getting my legs ready for the hills to Austin.

I first participated in the BP MS150 in 2000, the year before BP became the title sponsor. When BP became the title sponsor in 2001, I was actively involved with Team BP. After the first year as title sponsor, BP recognized the opportunity to improve ride safety.