Texas - MS150 question

This'll be my first MS, and I've got a couple of questions about the route.
1) I noticed that on day 2 there are two routes; the Pfizer lunch route and the Bechtal Challenge route. Does it matter which one you take?
2) Where exactly does the ride end in Austin? I ask because we're trying to figure out where my wife can pick me up.
Thanks.

This is my first time on this MS 150 also but I think I can help with your questions. The Pfizer Lunch route is easier of the two routes, the Bechtal Challenge is full of climbs and is more difficult. If you go to the BP MS 150 website there is a complete package of maps you can download; they contain maps of the start locations, lunch areas, overnight areas and maps of the Austin finish line. Hopefully this helps.

The quick answer would be,

1) No, it does not matter which route you take on Sunday. The Express route is shorter and not as hilly although it does have several big climbs as you come into Bastrop. The Challenge route is longer and will take you through Bastrop and Beuscher state parks. The "parks" consist of narrow roads and many short steep climbs. If this is your first MS150 I would suggest the Express route, unless you are a very experienced cyclist that has alot of hill training under your belt. I've rode both several times there are advantages and disadvantages to each one, in the end it's up to you.

2) Finish line is right in front of the Bob Bullock Texas State Museum

All maps can be downloaded here, http://www.nationalmssociety.org/chapters/bp-ms-150/about-the-ride/experience-the-ride/index.aspx

Don't be afraid of the park route. It's the prettiest part of the whole ride. If I remember correctly it's only about 8 miles of short but somewhat steep climbs. My wife has done it every time we have done the ride and she is not an avid cyclist. The first 4 times we did it there was no alternate route. She does ride a triple now but did it fine on a double with a wide range cassette. If you are not sure about your abilities why don't you take a trip out to Bastrop beforehand and ride it a few times.

I'll add to what's been said about leaving the fairgrounds on day 2.

First, you do need to decide which route you are going to take ahead of time because that determines where you line up and which direction you head from the fairgrounds. Leaving south out of the fairgrounds is the shorter Pfizer lunch route; headed north at the start is the Betchel Challenge Route. You can see this on the maps.

Also, note that the Betchel Challenge Route has the option, just before entering the parks, to bypass the parks, saving a little milage and avoiding the steep climbs. I took that option last year as I was struggling with tendonitis and wanted to avoid the steep climbs of the parks, which would have aggravated my condition. So even if you go the Betchel Challenge Route you can bail out before entering the parks. I was undecided when I left the fairgrounds last year whether I would ride the parks or not, and I made the decision during the ride that I was too sore and would bypass the parks.

In deciding to ride the parks or not, my advice would be if you ever have to walk up hills because they are too steep for you to ride up then you may want to avoid the parks. Also, consider how you will feel after riding the long ride on day 1 (depending on your start, something like 75/87/100 miles). If you ride 75 miles now and are so tired out the next day that you can barely function, then opting for a shorter route on day 2 may be a better option.

My first MS150 in 2007 I chose the Betchel Challenge Route even though I had only been road cycling for four months. I had followed a century training schedule and was more than prepared for the entire ride. I found the Betchel Challenge Route through the parks to be very enjoyable and was glad I selected that route.

Hope this helps, and good luck with your decision and the ride.

The park is awesome! Did it on my first MS150 last year when my wife chose the express route. She said that the express route along 71 was boring. I had a great time in the park and came out with all smiles. A lot of the hills are steep but they are short and the descents are a blast! I've seen people walking up some hills so that's also an option if need be.

Don't forget about another great perk of the park route - the people supporting on the side of the road. Last year, I remember a fiddle player with dancers and a bagpipe player. Cool sights to see when riding your bike. I don't think the lunch express route goes by them.

Quick question for those of you who have done both. Does the park route have that awful chipseal that the express route has for the first 8 miles or so? I've only ever done the express route because I'm not a good climber, but that chipseal is the worst. And it comes at a very bad time...right at the beginning before you've had a chance to get warm, and before your sensitive parts have had a chance to get limber and numb.

Well, I haven't done 70 miles yet. I did 52 on Saturday with half of it into a 20-25 mph head and crosswind, and felt fine the next day. I tried to stay off of my feet as much as possible, but any soreness that I had after the ride was gone Sunday. I'm doing 60 miles this Sunday for the Space Race, which'll be the longest I've ridden.
Thanks for all of the advice, I'll have to give it some thought between now and then. Hitting some real climbs could be fun though. I'm taking off Monday from work, so I can lay down all day. :-)

Wow, I was planning on doing the Express Route this year but now I am reconsidering that. I really don't like hills but I do like scenic routes so maybe I will take the park route. I will have to talk to the rest of the team and see what they think first. Thanks

Does the park route have that awful chipseal that the express route has for the first 8 miles or so?

No, the park route does not have the awful chipseal.


it comes at a very bad time...right at the beginning before you've had a chance to get warm
I recently had the unfortunate experience of riding an out-n-back century where miles 2-12 and 88-98 were on some of the roughest chipseal I have ridden in my life. I can speak from experience that the body can handle the rough chipseal a lot better near the beginning of a ride than it can near the end of a long ride.

This will be the first time in 10 years I haven't participated in the MS150 due to my daughter getting married. All I can add is this, if you don't ride the park you can't say you've ridden the MS150.

The park is tradition and as many others have added, it's the best part of the whole ride.

Sarge

While this is my first MS150, I did the Pedal thru the Pines ride a couple of weeks ago. It went through Bastrop State Park and some of the climbs were brutal. In fact, I personally saw at least 10 people tip over while attempting to climb up.

If you're experienced, go for it. If not, and as others have said, you can bypass the park at the last minute.

Good luck!

if you don't ride the park you can't say you've ridden the MS150.


Sarge

BULLSQUAT!!!

To each his own. I'm glad you've had so many successful rides, but don't try to diminish other people's accomplishments because they didn't do it the way you did.

I have to agree with Butterthebean on this one - Spillco is full of it. Many younger riders feel the need to prove their "manhood" or "toughness" by riding the park on day 2. If this is the only reason you can come up with to choose the park route, you don't belong there. If you're confident in who you are and enjoy riding, do whatever route you think your abilities can muster. There's no shame in taking the express route whatsoever - it's got challenges all its own. I've ridden the park, and yes it's difficult, but in the end it's all supposed to be fun and for the same cause. I have nothing to prove to anybody. Period.

All I can say is attitudes like Spillcos are best left at home. Maybe it's for the best he's NOT riding this year...

All I can add is this, if you don't ride the park you can't say you've ridden the MS150.Gee, maybe I shouldn't say I rode the MS150 in 2008 because I bypassed the parks. :rolleyes:


I personally saw at least 10 people tip over while attempting to climb up.Add a few thousands cyclists in that kind of mix and it doesn't take much of an imagination to see what a dangerous situation it becomes. In 2007 a cyclist one person in front of me went down on one of the steep inclines, and fortunately the road was slanted to the side and he was on the outer edge of the road so that when he fell, he immediately slid to the side of the road and didn't take anyone else down. It shook me up a little after the fact to realize how close I had come to being involved in an accident in the park.

As has been said, there is no shame in choosing one of the other routes. There are many, because of their skill level, who should not ride through the parks on the MS150. Fortunately, most of those are wise enough to choose one of the other routes, and they should be proud of their accomplishments.

Is there a trick to getting out of the campground in a timely manner on day two? Last year was crazy (my first time)

Is there a trick to getting out of the campground in a timely manner on day two? Last year was crazy (my first time)

Get in line after you shower and eat dinner on Saturday! :p

From as much as I saw last year, a lot of people put their bikes in line to hold their place when they woke up, then ate breakfast and got ready for the day, then went to retrieve their bikes and wait. If you've got a really nice bike, you may not feel comfortable doing this though.

From as much as I saw last year, a lot of people put their bikes in line to hold their place when they woke up, then ate breakfast and got ready for the day, then went to retrieve their bikes and wait.

Did you wait outside last year? How early did you get in line?

2 years ago I got in line at 5:20. Then it seemed most people stayed with their bikes. Those that left and came back generally had a friend already waiting in line holding both their bikes. But the temps were in the mid-60's then. Last year was in the low 40's. Maybe everyone left last year to go warm up!

I waited in the hordes last year. Since I was just from Seattle I was one of the few prepared for the cold weather.