Texas - 2009 Space Race

Hey Guys,

I haven't seen a thread started on this. It's one of the BPMS150 recommended rides and from my asking around on the ConocoPhillips training rides, I don't hear of very many people doing this ride.

http://www.spacerace.org/

It's in the Galveston bay/NASA area, which, from my time living down there, is quite flat (meaning my trike can come out and play!)

Are any of you guys going? I'll be going next week! It will be my second day of riding that weekend after doing a Saturday training ride with the CP training rides (columbus, 57+ miles). I've signed up for the 77 route.

Anyone have any experience to share with riding this ride in previous years?

Let's kibbitz in this thread about this ride!

I'll be going for the first time as well, although my Dad went last year and from him i've heard that it was fairly well organized as far as starting, rest stops, etc is concerned. He also said that there was a fair amount of turnout so I assume it's a fun ride/route.

I'll signed up for the metric century (The 62 mi route), this will be the farthest i've ridden. The furthest i've ridden so far was the 40 miles in which I only took one rest stop. Any tips?

These are some posts from years prior, if they help any:
http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php?t=400632
http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php?t=400418
http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php?t=281828
http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php?t=274528

Yep. I will be one of the SAGs.
Look for a 2000 Tan Buick Century

http://i256.photobucket.com/albums/hh187/10wheels/HEB006a.jpg

We had 25 SAG Vehicles last year.
2000 riders.
Have Fun.

I'll be doing the 62, and it'll be the farthest I've ridden as well. I just did 52 yesterday out here in Ft. Bend, and the wind was brutal.
I rode the 40 mile Space Race last year and had fun. I just hate having to get up so early, especially since we have a concert the night before.

Just got in from a 84 mile ride in the area. Winds 6 to 13 mph.

Make sure you have one or more spare tubes.

If we have 20mph winds next weekend, I might do one of the shorter routes next weekend. I was miserable for about the last 25 miles. Of course it doesn't help that I was trying to keep a constant speed instead of a constant cadence. As soon as I hit that wind my form went to crap.

If we have 20mph winds next weekend, I might do one of the shorter routes next weekend. I was miserable for about the last 25 miles. Of course it doesn't help that I was trying to keep a constant speed instead of a constant cadence. As soon as I hit that wind my form went to crap.

Forcast 79* Partly Cloudy

Yeah, I've seen one forecast with clouds and one with a slight chance of rain. I'll wait until a little later in the week to start planning. I'd really like to get this last long ride in before the MS.

I have not ridden down there recently, but that is the area I rode while growing up. It is flat, flat, flat! The only "hills" are the ones created by TX DOT to allow freeways to cross other freeways and water.

I'm planning on doing the 100 mile ride. It will be my first century. The furthest I have ridden so far is 70 miles, but I don't think it will be too bad as long as its not all headwind.

I'm planning on doing the 100 mile ride. It will be my first century. The furthest I have ridden so far is 70 miles, but I don't think it will be too bad as long as its not all headwind.

Forcast:


Sunday, Apr 5
High: 82 °F RealFeel®: 83 °F
Mostly sunny and breezy

23 SAGs if you have a problem

I'm planning on riding the 100 but will settle for 80, depending on how I feel after the Camp 4 All ride on Saturday.

Good luck!

I'm planning on riding the 100 but will settle for 80, depending on how I feel after the Camp 4 All ride on Saturday.

Good luck!

Where do you train?

http://i570.photobucket.com/albums/ss141/barrysms150ride/Dscn8874.jpg

Where do you train?

Where ever the MS150 recommends me go to :)


http://i570.photobucket.com/albums/ss141/barrysms150ride/Dscn8874.jpg

That sure is a nice picture. Whoever took it must have a great eye!!

:thumb:

Forcast ::: Winds 17 to 30 mph

http://www.accuweather.com/us/tx/league-city/77573/forecast-details.asp?partner=accuweather&traveler=0&zipchg=1&metric=0&fday=4

Forcast ::: Winds 17 to 30 mph

http://www.accuweather.com/us/tx/league-city/77573/forecast-details.asp?partner=accuweather&traveler=0&zipchg=1&metric=0&fday=4

Oh fuuuudge. That's only applies to our tailwind, right?!?

Well, worst case I'll just settle for the 80(?)-mile route.

D'Oh!

Oh fuuuudge. That's only applies to our tailwind, right?!?

Well, worst case I'll just settle for the 80(?)-mile route.

D'Oh!

Go for the 100, we can sag you in.

Go for the 100, we can sag you in.

NEVER! I'll only take a SAG if my bike or bones break.

Oh crap, I just totally jinxed myself, didn't I?

:(

NEVER! I'll only take a SAG if my bike or bones break.

Oh crap, I just totally jinxed myself, didn't I?

:(

Last year I Sagged one guy that had 6 flats in 26 miles.
Another who flatted and destroyed his tire at mile 98.
Another who had legs cramps and was huggin a sign post at mile 22.

You can do it. 100 Miles.......

Last year I Sagged one guy that had 6 flats in 26 miles.
Another who flatted and destroyed his tire at mile 98.
Another who had legs cramps and was huggin a sign post at mile 22.

You can do it. 100 Miles.......

DEAL but with one condition. Which car are you going to be in? Because I'll make sure it's you who takes my tired ass back to GGP.

I'll either be wearing a tie-die St. Arnold or a Shiner jersey.

:thumb:

DEAL but with one condition. Which car are you going to be in? Because I'll make sure it's you who takes my tired ass back to GGP.

I'll either be wearing a tie-die St. Arnold or a Shiner jersey.

:thumb:

my car pic post #4
Radio #18

Deal

And as a side note, please don't run over the rider who's taking pictures.

Thanks in advance and much appreciated.

:D

Forcast Up Date
Sunday, Apr 5


Day
http://vortex.accuweather.com/adc2004/common/images/wxicons/blue_frcst_bg/04.gif
High: 84°F RealFeel®: 86°F
Breezy and less humid with clouds yielding to some sun



View the Hour-by-Hour Forecast (http://www.accuweather.com/forecast-hourly.asp?partner=accuweather&traveler=0&zipChg=1&zipcode=77573&metric=0&hbhhour=7&hbhday=3)

Winds:NW at 14mphWind Gusts:32 mphMax UV Index:Very High (8)Thunderstorm Probability:7%



Three SAG Member practice chain repair on a 70 miles ride today in La Marque @ Highway 3 and 519

http://i256.photobucket.com/albums/hh187/10wheels/2009%20Space%20race/IMG_3236.jpg

By the way, 10Wheels, Thank You for running SAG on the ride. :)

By the way, 10Wheels, Thank You for running SAG on the ride. :)

Did it last year. It was fun.
The group that I daily ride with is all doing sag.
The ride is on the roads we ride on most days.
Sharon the one with the Trike has been on this ride for 21 years.

Forcasts looks Better:

Sunday, Apr 5
Day
http://vortex.accuweather.com/adc2004/common/images/wxicons/blue_frcst_bg/04.gif
High: 77°F RealFeel®: 79°F

Less humid with clouds giving way to some sun

Winds:NW at 10mphWind Gusts:22 mphMax UV Index:Very High (8)Thunderstorm Probability:6

Sunday, April 5
More Hourly Information: Today 4/4/2009 Morning Evening Overnight Sunday 4/5/2009 Morning Evening Overnight Monday 4/6/2009 Morning Evening Overnight 15-Days of Hour-By-Hour Forecasts on AccuWeather.com Premium
7am
http://vortex.accuweather.com/adc2004/common/images/wxicons/31x24/06.gif
67° F
Mostly Cloudy

8am
http://vortex.accuweather.com/adc2004/common/images/wxicons/31x24/07.gif
67° F
Cloudy

9am
http://vortex.accuweather.com/adc2004/common/images/wxicons/31x24/07.gif
68° F
Cloudy

10am
http://vortex.accuweather.com/adc2004/common/images/wxicons/31x24/07.gif
70° F
Cloudy

11am
http://vortex.accuweather.com/adc2004/common/images/wxicons/31x24/06.gif
71° F
Mostly Cloudy

Noon
http://vortex.accuweather.com/adc2004/common/images/wxicons/31x24/06.gif
70° F
Mostly Cloudy

1pm
http://vortex.accuweather.com/adc2004/common/images/wxicons/31x24/03.gif
72° F
Partly Sunny

2pm
http://vortex.accuweather.com/adc2004/common/images/wxicons/31x24/03.gif
75° F
Partly Sunny


Winds 6 to 10 mph with gusts to 22

Winds 6 to 10 mph with gusts to 22

Well, that's a lot better than previous forecasts.

Thank you, 10 Wheels, for SAGing this ride.

:thumb:

So how did everyone do?
I finished the 60 in 3:45, which I was fairly happy with. I stopped at the rest stops more than I would have liked, but I also only got about 5 hours of sleep last night because of a concert we went to.
I'm also still having trouble figuring out how often, and how much water I should be drinking. Today was the first really warm day of riding I've done. Especially after the cold windy debacle that was the FBISD ride last weekend. :-)

I averaged 17.3 and also did the 60. I did 60 yesterday and my saddle area was a little tender so I skipped out on the 80 miler, sue me :-)

I thought the ride to the first rest stop was pretty chaotic and the ride marshals were quite upset with people taking both lanes AND the shoulder.

The wind whipping up right after the 2nd rest stop kinda sucked :-( It only got worse, but at least there was delicious pickle juice! Man that stuff rocked. In case anyone is curious who I was, I was in the skeleton (x-ray) jersey.

There was a lot of riding that reminded me of the MS150 itself, tons of passing on the right at first and people just generally cattywompus all over the place. A lot of people could benefit from more training, just my $0.02. I've been there before and rode maybe 200 miles in training for the whole season leading up to the MS and was unable to finish because of poor bike fit causing my left knee to go out. bla bla bla, I'm rambling...

Great ride, wish there was less wind... Just like every other ride this season!

I wish I'd seen you, 10 wheels. This ride, compared to the conoco phillips training rides, seemed unsettlingly SAG free. I'm glad I can change a tire myself because whoo smokeys there were a ton of people and I didn't see too many SAGS.

Space Race pics:

66 Pics of The Start coming North Highway 6 at Cemetery Road.

http://s256.photobucket.com/albums/hh187/10wheels/09%20Space%20Race%20Start/?albumview=slideshow



Was able to take 280 pics.

Meet Ben:

http://i256.photobucket.com/albums/hh187/10wheels/09%20Space%20Race%20Start/More%2009%20Space%20Race/Benwith10mitogo.jpg

Meet James and Keira:

http://i256.photobucket.com/albums/hh187/10wheels/09%20Space%20Race%20Start/More%2009%20Space%20Race/JamesandKiria.jpg

Meet Alice:

http://i256.photobucket.com/albums/hh187/10wheels/09%20Space%20Race%20Start/More%2009%20Space%20Race/Alice.jpg

I averaged 17.3 and also did the 60. I did 60 yesterday and my saddle area was a little tender so I skipped out on the 80 miler, sue me :-)

I thought the ride to the first rest stop was pretty chaotic and the ride marshals were quite upset with people taking both lanes AND the shoulder.

The wind whipping up right after the 2nd rest stop kinda sucked :-( It only got worse, but at least there was delicious pickle juice! Man that stuff rocked. In case anyone is curious who I was, I was in the skeleton (x-ray) jersey.

There was a lot of riding that reminded me of the MS150 itself, tons of passing on the right at first and people just generally cattywompus all over the place. A lot of people could benefit from more training, just my $0.02. I've been there before and rode maybe 200 miles in training for the whole season leading up to the MS and was unable to finish because of poor bike fit causing my left knee to go out. bla bla bla, I'm rambling...

Great ride, wish there was less wind... Just like every other ride this season!

I wish I'd seen you, 10 wheels. This ride, compared to the conoco phillips training rides, seemed unsettlingly SAG free. I'm glad I can change a tire myself because whoo smokeys there were a ton of people and I didn't see too many SAGS.

We were Busy:
Many flats and many gave up the ride to SAG back in.

Here is the scoop.
3,000 riders, Temps 68* to 81*, 96% humidity, winds 5 to 24 mph.

Many new riders chose to sag in when they had flats.
Groups of riders wanted SAG rides from Wee Mart.

I drove 231 miles.

Team 2 Ready
http://i256.photobucket.com/albums/hh187/10wheels/09%20Space%20Race%20Start/More%2009%20Space%20Race/IMG_3243.jpg

http://i256.photobucket.com/albums/hh187/10wheels/09%20Space%20Race%20Start/18.jpg

http://i256.photobucket.com/albums/hh187/10wheels/09%20Space%20Race%20Start/More%2009%20Space%20Race/Keptcoming.jpg

http://i256.photobucket.com/albums/hh187/10wheels/09%20Space%20Race%20Start/More%2009%20Space%20Race/IMG_3466.jpg

http://i256.photobucket.com/albums/hh187/10wheels/09%20Space%20Race%20Start/More%2009%20Space%20Race/IMG_3443.jpg

Group of 20 waiting for SAG rides
http://i256.photobucket.com/albums/hh187/10wheels/09%20Space%20Race%20Start/More%2009%20Space%20Race/WeeMart.jpg

Dave Sags in three from WeeMart

http://i256.photobucket.com/albums/hh187/10wheels/09%20Space%20Race%20Start/More%2009%20Space%20Race/IMG_3510.jpg

Easy there 10er! I wasn't implying you weren't!

There were just a ton of riders there. I think a lot of the spills people took, from your PM, came from not having enough pace groups to spread people out. 20+, 20-18, and 18- is not enough. I launched in 18- and it was like herding cats for the ride marshals near me.

I realize everyone starts somewhere, but grouping into more pace groups would have been beneficial.

SAG from the wee mart? wow. As long as they are on two wheels I guess it's okay :-)

Thanks for sagging 10 :-) I may complain, but you guys are very helpful *hugs*

What was MOST alarming was riders running red lights that had no police directing traffic.

So I went for 100 but after that turn around 45 miles, the wind really started to kick in. By rest stop 6? (73 miles), I said eff it. If the MS150 wasn't less than 2 weeks away, I would have gladly gone for 100 but it just wasn't worth it. I, along with about 30 others at the same rest stop, agreed with me. I ended up in SAG #15, only because I couldn't recall 10W's number...

BTW - 10 wheels, that was me yelling your alias and giving a thumbs up at the begining of the ride. Speaking of, the beginning was an absolute cluter eff. Said "on your left" so many times that it started to get old, especially when it was only 2 abreast, yet taking up the entire road. On the bright side of so many people, regardless of experience, a lot of money went to a great cause.

Otherwise and all things considered, it was an enjoyable ride.

I'm in the WeeMart picture. To the right of the dude scratching his head and in front of the ride marshall.

We waited at least 30 minutes for SAGs. Rather than driving our rears back to GGP, thanks for taking pictures :P

I'm in the WeeMart picture. To the right of the dude scratching his head and in front of the ride marshall.

We waited at least 30 minutes for SAGs. Rather than driving our rears back to GGP, thanks for taking pictures :P

I Sagged the guy in Red from WeeMart.



http://i256.photobucket.com/albums/hh187/10wheels/09%20Space%20Race%20Start/More%2009%20Space%20Race/Bear.jpg

http://i570.photobucket.com/albums/ss141/barrysms150ride/WeeMartMe.jpg

Edited to add: Just remembered the guy on the left (my right) was on the phone, not scratching his head.

the beginning was an absolute cluter eff. Said "on your left" so many times that it started to get old, especially when it was only 2 abreast, yet taking up the entire road.

You ought to try the BP MS150. Imagine 13,000 riders with no attempt to start riders based on skill level.

You ought to try the BP MS150. Imagine 13,000 riders with no attempt to start riders based on skill level.

very true. you can avoid this by starting on eldridge pkwy and join them as they turn onto it off of katy fwy frontage. I did that last year and it wasnt bad at all..

This year i'm starting in tully with my team and I thoroughly expect pandemonium.

Up at the Hotter-n-Hell 100, they had about 12,000 riders. The only way we were grouped was by speed, based on the honor system. But, that seemed to work, at least from my viewpoint.

It seems to me that part of the problem on these rides is people trying to go too fast when it's too crowded. It's just like driving on the freeway. Get an open road, and you're good for a pretty good speed. Get traffic pretty packed, and start zigzagging to get around everyone else, while they're all zigzagging to get around you, and bad things are liable to happen. Pace lines aren't the answer, because they'd be moving 10 mph. so all the "fast" guys wouldn't get in 'em. But at the HH100, I started probably 2/3 of the way back, but by the time I'd ridden 5 miles or so, it was getting cleared up enough, I could ride my own speed. A little patience helps.

At every organized ride I've been too, they had instructions to obey all laws, stay right, ride no more than two abreast, etc. At every ride, those get ignored by a good percentage of the riders. I'm not entirely sure of the reason, either. Most of these people drive to the ride, and they wouldn't go driving on the wrong side of the road for no reason, they wouldn't walk down the middle of the road when traffic is coming, but they get on a bike, and some part of common sense gets turned off for the duration.

The problem I've seen with blowing intersections- happened to me on the Tour Dallas last year. The whole route is a mess of intersections, and they have policemen everywhere (had 200 on duty, they said.) But last year, I rode through 50 intersections where traffic was stopped by a policeman, then came to the 51st and rode right on through...and no cop there. I'm not sure how ride organizers should approach that problem. On the typical small-town rural rides, they can have the police get them all out of town, and then by the time they hit rural intersections, they're spaced out enough they act normal instead of like a mob. But on an urban route, you need traffic control at every intersection or none of them.

http://i570.photobucket.com/albums/ss141/barrysms150ride/Dscn9018.jpg

http://i570.photobucket.com/albums/ss141/barrysms150ride/Dscn9001.jpg

http://i570.photobucket.com/albums/ss141/barrysms150ride/Dscn9010.jpg

http://i570.photobucket.com/albums/ss141/barrysms150ride/Dscn9024.jpg

http://i570.photobucket.com/albums/ss141/barrysms150ride/Dscn9026.jpg

http://i570.photobucket.com/albums/ss141/barrysms150ride/Dscn9031.jpg