the sci guy 

i know critical mass would be a disaster. hell its a disaster downtown as it is. it just sticks in my craw these guys are being such dunces about it. the fact that one hiccup in communication has thrown a decades long tradition of many rides into chaos is absurd.

aggarcia

As a MS150 Ride Marshal we do not have that authority to remove any one from a ride despite some needing it. The most we can do it capture the rider number and report it on Monday. We are the MS150 safety ambassadors and try to educate riders on the correct and safest way to ride in the difference situations they encounter on the road.

No one likes the it's a rules or law approach. We are doing what we can to assist riders.

The bike police could do more to improve actual rider behavior as they are actual LEO, but there are fewer numbers of them than Ride Marshals.

To improve this situation in Waller and the general perception of bicycles on public roads, Cyclists need to obey the traffic laws when applicable. Riders would never cross the middle line period. We need fellow rider to comply with the laws to help all cyclist. A few bad riders impacts all cyclist. That not saying that all drivers respects cyclist, but if each side shares the road and is considerate of others this would go a long way to improve the situation.

txags92

aggarcia,

Let me start by apologizing if I offended you by what I said.In looking back at it, I see that I sounded like I was unhappy with the current activities of the Ride Marshals, and that is not true.Y’all do a great job at what you are asked to do by the MS Society.What I am unhappy with is the role that the ride organizers allow the Ride Marshals to play. I would like to see them get y’all much more involved in policing the dangerous acts of other riders on the road. I understand that LEOs are the only ones who can legally pull somebody off the road.But what I would like to see is more of a real time feedback mechanism, where you guys could call in a rider number and location, and have an LEO waiting at the next break point to give them a stern warning about their conduct or some other clearer message about their bad behavior.Calling in a number on Monday morning really does nothing, because at best, any “punishment” that rider has coming from the MS Society will be at least one year away.It would be wonderful if all the riders listened when y’all told them to move over and ride safely, but for those who refuse or who repeatedly ignore guidance, there needs to be a more effective real time mechanism for getting them to ride safely than hoping an LEO on a bike happens to roll by.

Scott P

What type of food and drink will be available to riders not in team tents when you get to LaGrange? I'm trying to figure what to pack nutrition-wise. I like a post workout shake and protein before bed. I have plenty of sample packets, but can't exactly pack a cooler with milk. I can use water, but it isn't my preferred option.

the sci guy 

txags92

If you look on the ride website (ms150.org) under the news tab, there is a "ride program" I believe that includes a list of what they are providing with the evening meal. The only beverage I saw listed for dinner was iced tea, but they will have milk available at breakfast along with coffee and orange juice. If you are dead set on wanting milk that evening, I would either have a friend meet you there and bring a cooler or work out a deal with a friend riding on a team, and get them to let you put some in one of their coolers.

George

They do have milk that doesn't have to be refrigerated.

Scott P

As far as my desire for certain foods, I am aware that it is totally mental. I know I will survive just fine without my traditional post-workout shake and pre-bed casein protein. I know that I will still be able to get up on Sunday and finish the ride into Austin. It's just a habit that I've gotten into in the past few years of exercising and losing weight. I remember they had Muscle Milk at the break points, so with luck, they'll have some at the finish as well. I might just grab one for the road at the last break point. In theory, I could put a cool pack lunch bag cooler in my suitcase with some milk, but it isn't that important to me to take up bag space.

I am just way overthinking things here.

memebag

I will be having boudin, fajitas and a lot of beer in La Grange.

the sci guy 

forecast not looking great for the 2nd year in a row for MS150 weekend.... sadface.

txags92

What do you mean? It looks awesome! Did you see that double digit tailwind in the forecast? If you ride faster than the wind, the rain drops don't hit you, right? RIGHT?

Scott P

I've been doing a few Sufferfest videos. I can out ride any lightning bolt at this point. And if not , my rubber tires will insulate me...right?

Saturday night however in the Academy campground might get a bit dicey. I might buy some self inflating mattress pad I saw at Costco to serve as a life raft.

the sci guy 

it also helps if your bike is red because red bikes go fastest

EthanHawley

The forecasted tailwind is about my average speed, which means I should complete the ride in about the same time WITHOUT HAVING TO PEDAL. How awesome is that?

txags92

I wonder if these guys can get a bike here before Saturday for me?

txags92

I do remember riding one year where we had a really stiff wind from the NNE. It was a crosswind pretty much all day until we made the turn to the south right before La Grange. I remember turning the corner at the bottom of the hill coasting at about 18mph. My wife got caught behind me when the cop directing traffic stopped them to let some traffic go. I decided to just coast until they caught up. I coasted for over a mile before she caught up and never dropped below 18 mph. After riding in the crosswind all the way, it was a glorious couple of miles to the finish line.

aggarcia

Sat weather looks ok if your in LaGrange by mid afternoon. The chance of rain gets worst and by evening we will have rain.

Sunday we are almost guaranteed rain. Bring your rain gear for Sunday. The tail wind all weekend should help. Hope to keep from being totally drenched by the finish in Austin.

I rode the MS150 the year of the wind. It was a horrible head and cross wind once you get out of Houston. That was a long day in the saddle. Once we made the left headed to the fairgrounds we had a nice short stretch of favorable winds.

Scott P

I never ride in rain, so I don't have rain gear. I have a Columbia rain coat, but that is it. I'll pack it, but it isn't exactly a cycling jacket. The wifey is meeting me in Austin, so I do know I will have dry clothes waiting for me when I get there.

txags92

I will bring a jacket, but depending on how warm it is, usually I will just ride in a long sleeve underlayer and a jersey even if it rains. If I wear a waterproof jacket for too long when it is warm, I will end up just as wet as I would be if I were getting rained on. I might consider just taking the sleeves off of my jacket and wearing it as a rain vest.

txags92

MS Society just posted an update saying ride is a go for now (See below). I suspect the update tomorrow morning will tell us whether day 2 is a go or not. If there is a more than insignificant risk of severe weather along the route before about 2pm, I suspect they will cancel based on similar conditions and decisions in the past with the Dallas ride. Enjoy that tailwind on day 1!

EVENT WEEKEND UPDATE - THURSDAY
Updated | April 14, 2016

At this time, the BP MS 150 will commence as scheduled. We are continuing to monitor and evaluate the weather for each day, and are encouraged by Saturday’s forecast at this time there may some rain but there is still that tailwind! We know many of you are keeping a close eye on the forecast as well, and may be concerned about the weather for Sunday. BP MS 150 organizers are working diligently to make preparations should there be any impact on the event. The safety of everyone - cyclists, volunteers, supporters and staff - is our primary concern. We’ll continue to provide updates to help you best decide your personal readiness for the weekend. We know our cyclists have put in a lot of training and fundraising efforts, and we want to provide the best experience for a safe, fun and rewarding weekend. We will provide another update on the BP MS 150 Facebook and at www.bpms150.net by 10 a.m. CST on Friday, 4/15. You can stay connected over the weekend through text message alerts text BP to 68686 (standard message & data rates may apply). Recorded updates will also be available on the BP MS 150 Hotline - 844-490-9653. Your continued patience, understanding and support are greatly appreciated!

Scott P

The bike shop gave my bike a quick once-over and tuned up the front and rear derailleurs this afternoon. I bought some new Lizardskins and will install them tomorrow. The maps are loaded into the Garmin already. I've never used that function and know I won't need to, but I thought it might come in handy for break point distance. I'm sure I'll forget to do or pack something tomorrow. We are leaving out of Waller, so hopefully I'll avoid Sheriff Roscoe P. Coltrane.

SAGit

1 day of riding is better than 0. You think Tully will be crowded since some riders may want to get some more miles?

EthanHawley

Glad to hear the first day is a go. While I'd love to finally be able to do the whole ride some day (last year's shortened ride was my first MS 150), at least I can look forward to completing my first century.

Scott P

I have a bad feeling about Sunday. I'm sure the announcement will come after we are all cold and wet from out night of camping in the rain and thunder. Hopefully those Academy tents are waterproof.

txags92

Day 2 cancelled details to come...