Texas - MS150 Day one cancelled!!!!!

Check ms150.org right now day one is cancelled.

www.ms150.org

Yep, my team captain just confirmed it too

Great :mad:

I know we need the rain, but couldn't it wait til Monday?

13,000 Unhappy Riders?

Unhappy is an understatement.

Ughh...i live in the center of town so going to LaGrange on Day 2 would be a 2 hour trip to ride all of 75 miles and then a 2 hour trip home. not sure if thats worth it.

i wish they could reschedule for the fall or something. I was really looking forward to this.

This sucks bad :( Since I lost my job getting prepared for this event has been the only thing getting me out of the house. Le sigh. Oh well, at least I'm ready for the rest of the season's events.

Sucks ass though. Maybe next year...

Is anyone still doing day 2? Asking my wife to drive all the way to austin and back in 1 day, starting at .. 5 am? 4 am? sounds a little nuts.

edit: from north houston, where i reside

This is a disaster. To cancel the first day, and then claim the 2nd day is go for launch is rediculous. The organizers simply want to get 2009 over with and try again in 2010.

25 years of this ride and nobody ever considered what the hell to do in case we cancel for weather?

I understand the ride is to raise funds, but some logic needs to apply to the logistics of a cancellation. This is mayhem.

The organizers should have canceled the whole weekend, and tried again later in the year.

ms75

The organizers should have canceled the whole weekend, and tried again later in the year.

You got that right.

So who is gonna go ahead and go ride from La Grange anyways on Sunday? I will still do it but I am dissapointed in the fact that I don't get to have the adventure that tomorrow would have been.

I'm trying to keep in mind that this was all for fundraising. We have personal goals, and I'm pretty bummed I wont get to ride tomorrow, it's a cool thing the first day. I didn't make it to the second day last year, so now I feel like I got cheated twice in a row now, first by my knee, now by stupid rain.

My rockin wife is going to drive me to lagrange and drop me off, but I dunno how I'm getting back to H-town. I'm waiting on what my team is going to arrange. The poor captain was already at the end of his rope arranging everything, I can only imagine what he's going through now!

If it was up to me I'd ride tomorrow regardless of weather. I realize I may be more enterprising than the 12,000 other people, but whatever, personal goals, you know?

i'm still in, but am highly disappointed. i got my first road bike at thanksgiving and have been part of the conoco phillips training series. the full 150 was to be a personal challange. now sunday will just be a longer training ride with an even longer drive. sad.

I'll be riding from La Grange on Sunday. I paid my $100 registration fee, so I might as well get something out of it. On the MS 150 web site I noticed they pushed the starting time back about an hour (to 8 am). No mention about those oh-so-legendary pancakes that they usually serve for breakfast in La Grange on Sunday morning.

So no lunch + dinner on Saturday, no breakfast on Sunday - are they planning to refund a portion of the $100 registration fee to everyone?

I think what made a lot of people frustrated is that on the web site (http://www.nationalmssociety.org/chapters/bp-ms-150/index.aspx) at noon and even up until 2:16 pm they were saying that everything was still a go, and to be careful and each cyclist was responsible for his or her own safety.

I'm fairly certain that my team captain (and who knows how many other teams traveling from Austin) saw that as a green light to come to Houston as they had originally planned.

But then they come back 2 hrs later and say that the entire Day 1 is cancelled? C'mon... who knows how many other teams besides mine had to waste 7 hrs of driving and a day renting a truck + trailer to haul bikes back and forth between Austin and Houston for nothing.

I'd like to hear more details about these "unsafe conditions along the Day One route and in La Grange." Are flooded streams flowing over roadways or what?

I'm all ready to go, rain and all. This is such a disappointment.

I'd like to hear more details about these "unsafe conditions along the Day One route and in La Grange." Are flooded streams flowing over roadways or what?

I'm all ready to go, rain and all. This is such a disappointment.


One of my teammates went to LaGrange to help set up and this is why they are calling it.

I don't think its because the weather will be hard on the riders is why they canceled the day 1, rather I think it has to do with the fact that todays weather prevented them from being able to set up all the rest stops and everything else. From what I saw on the news tonight it looks like the park in La Grange was pretty well flooded. I bet if the are some decent breaks in the weather tomorrow the more adventurous amongst us will be out on the route riding commando style... unsupported!

"We strongly encourage you to text RIDER, VOLUNTEER or FRIEND to 777111 for text updates via cell phone throughout the weekend."

I did this on Thursday and have not received any text messages yet. Anyone else?


One of my teammates went to LaGrange to help set up and this is why they are calling it.

Thanks for the photo. That was helpful.

I don't think its because the weather will be hard on the riders is why they canceled the day 1, rather I think it has to do with the fact that todays weather prevented them from being able to set up all the rest stops and everything else. From what I saw on the news tonight it looks like the park in La Grange was pretty well flooded. I bet if the are some decent breaks in the weather tomorrow the more adventurous amongst us will be out on the route riding commando style... unsupported!

If I had more self-support equipment on my bike, I'd definitely do it. I don't own enough bags and such to be able to ride a century unsupported. Need to keep spare tubes/patch kits/ etc somewhere. I have a setup for supported rides only at this point!

If I had more self-support equipment on my bike, I'd definitely do it. I don't own enough bags and such to be able to ride a century unsupported. Need to keep spare tubes/patch kits/ etc somewhere. I have a setup for supported rides only at this point!

You do not have to have anything on your bike. Do you wear a cycling jersey? You can put a tube and CO2 carts in one pocket, plus a few patches, food in another and ID/CC/cash/cell phone in another. I have cycled several rides of over 125 miles self-supported in the past 12 months. However, I use a small rear saddlebag to carry a couple tubes, CO2s, multi-tool and leave the rear jersey pockets with phone/food. Only on one ride did I get a flat, which was easy to change.

I think it is more of a mental thing. Until you actually do it, an unsupported century seems like such a big deal. Once you do it twice you'll see it as just another bike ride.

ms75

Contrary to the two faced marketing. It's not a race but a fund raising tour; consequently, the only thing guaranteed assuming you follow most of the rules is participation. The 150 mile distance is NOT guaranteed. :(

Am I looking at it wrong, or does it appear that there is only one option for the route on Sunday? If so, I'm guessing it won't be the challenge route...:(

According to our team captain, La Grange got over 11 inches of rain, numerous team tents were damaged by the wind and water, and the fairgrounds are basically a huge mud hole. No rest stops were set up yesterday and lunch in Bellville was not able to get alot of much needed supplies.

I drove in from Austin yesterday afternoon and it literally poured all the way from Manor to my home inside the loop. In Brenham visability was less than 100 feet. Think TS Allison type rain and the rain we got the day after hurricane Ike, it was bad.

Believe me, I'm just as disappointed. Bought a bike and trained for 4+ months because of this ride. However, we have to keep in mind that this is for the MS Society and their fundraising. Sure, they could have handled this better but under the circumstances and logistics, easier said than done. We have no idea of the political red tape it takes to get this thing organized and what's required to move it to another weekend. Unfortunately, we just have to accept their decision and it is what it is.

At the end of the day, they cancelled because of the La Grange fairgrounds. Some parts had 3+ feet of water and numerous tents were blown away. Here are some pictures my team captain sent last night:

http://i570.photobucket.com/albums/ss141/barrysms150ride/campground4.jpg

http://i570.photobucket.com/albums/ss141/barrysms150ride/campground3.jpg

http://i570.photobucket.com/albums/ss141/barrysms150ride/campground2.jpg

http://i570.photobucket.com/albums/ss141/barrysms150ride/campground1.jpg

[QUOTE=H-Bear;8753836]Believe me, I'm just as disappointed. Bought a bike and trained for 4+ months because of this ride. However, we have to keep in mind that this is for the MS Society and their fundraising. Sure, they could have handled this better but under the circumstances and logistics, easier said than done. We have no idea of the political red tape it takes to get this thing organized and what's required to move it to another weekend. Unfortunately, we just have to accept their decision and it is what it is.

At the end of the day, they cancelled because of the La Grange fairgrounds. Some parts had 3+ feet of water and numerous tents were blown away. Here are some pictures my team captain sent last night:



Thanks for the pics

Believe me, I'm just as disappointed. Bought a bike and trained for 4+ months because of this ride.

The MS150 ride did that for me 2 years ago. I'd encourage you and anyone else in a similar position to keep up your cycling year round. I've been riding the past 2 years and now regularly do unsupported centuries. On this forum I am participating in the century a month challenge for 2009. Glad I already got my April century in, because besides today's planned century, I wouldn't have time to get a century in before month end.

According to weather.com radar, La Grange to Austin (day 2 route) is getting hammered with rain right now.

Rain
http://www.accuweather.com/enhanced-radar.asp?partner=accuweather&traveler=0&zipChg=1&zipcode=77573

I'd have preferred to just transfer my donations and fee to another MS ride rather than do half.

The MS150 ride did that for me 2 years ago. I'd encourage you and anyone else in a similar position to keep up your cycling year round. I've been riding the past 2 years and now regularly do unsupported centuries. On this forum I am participating in the century a month challenge for 2009. Glad I already got my April century in, because besides today's planned century, I wouldn't have time to get a century in before month end.

According to weather.com radar, La Grange to Austin (day 2 route) is getting hammered with rain right now.

While it wasn't my original intention, I've totally embraced cycling since registering for the MS150... I'm signed up for the Shiner Bash in two weeks and the Austin Livestrong Challenge in October. Guess you can say I found my "zen" and haven't looked back since.

:D

As for the weather, it appears that the area will continue to get pounded until this afternoon. Afterwards, it's suppose to clear up and then sunny skies for Sunday.

As a side note, I'm going to make the best of it and ride Day 2 from La Grange. Sure, traffic is going to be a nightmare and probably head out around 4:30 or 5.

To be perfectly honest, I feel bad for my supporters and those who traveled from out of state and in some cases, from other countries. A couple of our teammates came in from Mexico City and Great Britain... I cannot even imagine the frustration they're going through.

All things considered, rather than continuing a self pity party, look at the big picture and what we are riding for. Putting personal goals aside, our fundraising is going to a great cause. We've raised more than $12MM for MS... Think about that for a minute before complaining about losing one leg of a charity ride.

Some charity riders only have one leg to begin with.

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

Some charity riders only have one leg to begin with.



I remember riding behind that guy for a little bit and thought 'wow, I have no leg to stand on when it comes to crabbing about pain'

Anyone else bored right now? My family left for Austin this morning as planned to visit family and will meet me at the finish tomorrow. I'm just waiting for logistics for tomorrow's ride so I can figure out how I'm going to get there.

Checking weather radar on the route and hearing the thunder here in Houston makes me glad I'm not riding right now.

Yea I am pretty bored. Its a double whammy, no MS150 and stuck inside with an "energetic" toddler. I like the idea of transferring my rider membership and pledge to another MS ride.

Completely bored, I was all psyched up to be riding in the rain, but it does look like there is unreasonable amounts of rain, and those pics of La Grange would have nowhere for us to go.

I will be driving up there in the morning to do the second half of the ride. Maybe my team will setup a bus but I am not betting on it so I will plan to take myself and brother up there.

I wonder what would happen if we rode to Austin, then turned around and headed back to La Grange unsupported for 75 miles? I may look into what routes or effort that might would take, then you still get 150, just all in one day!

There are a group of guys that ride the whole ms in one day. Setup hotels in Austin and party.

Edit: the way the update reads they are a "go" for Sunday, but it has the tone of possible cancellation of things do not look good by 6pm.

In case you haven't seen it on the MS site, looks like they will have both the Lunch Express route AND the Bechtel Challenge Park Routes going for day 2.

http://www.ms150.org/ms150/2009BPimages/ms150_newstart_v2.pdf

I am going to do the ride and am planning on driving in tonight with a friend on the Exxon team who has a hotel room in the La Grange area and will meet with the Exxon team for the start Sunday morning.

Safe travels and riding to y'all who are still doing the ride.

Go outside:
2:30 PM in League City.

http://i256.photobucket.com/albums/hh187/10wheels/IMG_3760.jpg

Saturday 5:10p - Confirmed: Day 2 of BP MS 150 Rolls from La Grange to Austin
Starting at 8 a.m. Sunday, April 19

The 2009 BP MS 150 will roll from La Grange to Austin on Day 2. The annual fundraising ride begins with a rolling start for cyclists from 8 to 9:30 a.m. Sunday, April 19, at the Fayette County Courthouse in the town square of La Grange.

It's on like Donkey Kong!

edited to add email update:


BP MS 150 UPDATE

Confirmed: Day 2 of BP MS 150 Rolls from La Grange to Austin
Starting at 8 a.m. Sunday, April 19

The 2009 BP MS 150 will roll from La Grange to Austin on Day 2. The annual fundraising ride begins with a rolling start for cyclists from 8 to 9:30 a.m. Sunday, April 19, at the Fayette County Courthouse in the town square of La Grange.

* Houston-area riders are urged to carpool to La Grange. Tully Stadium will be open at 4:30 a.m. Sunday so participants can park and carpool together; it will remain open until 11 p.m. Sunday.

* Expect delays into La Grange with traffic and parking. Add extra time accordingly into your travel plans.

* Transportation will be available for cyclists and their bikes from Austin back to La Grange and Tully Stadium.

* Each rider is strongly encouraged to exercise his or her best judgment in assessing cycling skills and comfort level in riding Sunday. The safety of all participants -- including riders, volunteers, their supporters and all personnel -- is the priority this weekend; we will continue to act in the best and safest interests of everyone involved.

* Registered BP MS 150 participants who choose not to ride Sunday have the option of riding in two weeks in the Lone Star Chapter's second fundraising ride of 2009, the Bike MS: SAM'S CLUB from Frisco to downtown Fort Worth on May 2-3 (more details on this May 2-3 ride (http://e2ma.net/go/1918918826/1757630/65372717/goto:http://www.nationalmssociety.org/chapters/sams-club/index.aspx)). For riders who choose this option, there will be no additional registration fee and their donations will still apply toward their BP MS 150 fundraising accounts. If you would like to take advantage of this ride option, please contact us (http://mail.novyinvestments.com/scripts/mail/compose.mail?compose=1&.ob=e22525c6e0f5e5bf47cbd4c51e59e5b3a851c53f&composeto=ms150info@ms150.org&composecc=&subject=May%202-3%20ride&body=).

The BP MS 150 Web site is your primary resource for links/maps to Day 2 Start Line information and other details. Visit the BP MS 150 Web site now. (http://e2ma.net/go/1918918826/1757630/65372716/goto:http://www.nationalmssociety.org/chapters/bp-ms-150/about-the-ride/weekend-update/index.aspx)

While Texas weather -- like MS -- is unpredictable, the reason for this ride remains the same as it has for 25 years: to raise funds to support MS research and services for 20,000 Texans dealing with the daily challenges of MS. We sincerely thank and appreciate all our participants this weekend for their patience, understanding and dedication in moving forward to help Texas families living with multiple sclerosis.

I'm still riding, as it most of my team. Apparently my company has 4wd school buses (which I didn't even know existed) that they use to shuttle land crews out to work sites, so they've brought a few to our offices to shuttle us to La Grange.

Even then, a few of my teammates rode today anyway (I didn't find out until this video was posted, or I would have gone with them!)

http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-4935995576447921334

I'm gonna turn in, so I can be up in time to catch the bus in the morning. I hope the rest of you guys manage to group up at tulley and make the trip.

Then again, less traffic in the park is a good thing.

Teeleton

Dear Brightroom, your number plates are dumb.

Anyone got any pics of their rider numbers in place?

So, here I am, all bummed out that I can't ride... when my team captain sends me a link to a video of members of our team called 'the goats' that rode to LaGrange in the rain

The Goats (http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-4935995576447921334)

Now I'm upset that I'm not one of the cool kids. My wife is happy that I wasn't riding in the rain, since on the way to drop off my bike at the company, I was almost T-boned by a van running a red at ramming speed right behind our building.

I decided not to ride Day 2 also. As a previous poster said, it wasn't right to make my wife get up at o'dark thirty and fight traffic driving to La Grange then on to Austin to wait around for me. The 8AM start time would have pushed back arrival even later.
Oh well, I may try next year, but clearly I was a jinx since the first year I sign up they have to cancel part of it for the first time in 25 year.

I decided not to ride Day 2 also. As a previous poster said, it wasn't right to make my wife get up at o'dark thirty and fight traffic driving to La Grange then on to Austin to wait around for me. The 8AM start time would have pushed back arrival even later.
Oh well, I may try next year, but clearly I was a jinx since the first year I sign up they have to cancel part of it for the first time in 25 year.


+1... As I was looking at the updated forecast about 3 am I was thinking I could still get my stuff loaded and make it to La Grange in time for the start. Then I thought about having to wake up my wife and her getting ready, her driving from La Grange to Austin and waiting around and then driving back home; I decided to let her sleep. I will try again next year also and I have the same jinx as this was my first year to sign up. Oh well, there is still the MS 150 Ride to the River in October.

I'm still riding, as it most of my team. Apparently my company has 4wd school buses (which I didn't even know existed) that they use to shuttle land crews out to work sites, so they've brought a few to our offices to shuttle us to La Grange.

We have four of them, they are being converted into mobile intensive care units so we can manage patients that are to critical that can't be flown until after the hurricane is done. They will also be used to evacuate hospitals. They've bought trailers that are being built out as well. One will be a kitchen, another sleeping quarters with showers, a third will be a small shop to repair and store parts, and a fourth will be dispatch. This is in addition to the two RV's for command.

On another note, I'm kind of wondering why the MS Society didn't think to have buses shuttle people from Houston to La Grange to reduce the amount of traffic and make it easier on people. Get on a bus at 4:30, sleep up there, ride, and continue on with your plans. They have buses from Austin to La Grange.

-Nate

I was hoping that's what they were doing, which was reported on KHOU on Friday afternoon. I never heard anything else about it until I read on the MS site that there were buses for the Austin people.
Well, maybe the silver lining is that it'll cause the organizers to come up with a contingency plan just in case this happens again.

What sucks for me was that I took a bus to houston. then it was cancelled 3 hours after I was there. Was trapped, no access to bike even though I wanted it. I had to pay for a second night of the hotel then ride half the ride. I raised $2k for the MS society, they should allow me to credit this fundraising to another ride.

What sucks for me was that I took a bus to houston. then it was cancelled 3 hours after I was there. Was trapped, no access to bike even though I wanted it. I had to pay for a second night of the hotel then ride half the ride. I raised $2k for the MS society, they should allow me to credit this fundraising to another ride.

Sorry to hear about this bad experience. In case you didn't see it, they did publish that you can ride the Dallas MS150 for free and that your donations will count.