Twelve hours before 13,000 cyclists were planning to line up for the BP MS 150, ride officials cancelled Saturday’s first leg of the two-day ride as powerful storms moved through the Houston area.

“We’re having to cancel Day 1 because of unsafe conditions along the route to LaGrange and at the Fayette County Fairgrounds,” said Gena Hyde, communications manager for the Lone Star Chapter of the National Multiple Sclerosis Society. “We still intend to ride Day 2, but we’re still working out the details. Stay tuned. Check our web site, MS150.org.”

Riders participating in the 25th anniversary of the 180-mile trek to Austin already have raised about $12 million of the $17 million goal.

At Houston Cycling Centres,disappointed riders were in and out of the northwest Houston store.