Line up EARLY. People start lining up well before the start time. As far as clearing out, normally it is kind of busy all the way to the lunch stop. After the Bastrop stop, it typically clears up nicely (plus you aren't confined to the shoulder of 71).

My friend and I hung out in the tent until after the "start" officially happened, a solid 15 minutes or so. We got in line and it was still a good 25-40 minutes (can't remember, it just took forever it seemed) before we got close to the start line. They do a stagger start. If you want to avoid the crowds, get up and on the bike before the start, and just walk the bike around the start group, head out on your own. Then again, a ton of people do that, so it will still be a bit crazy. Just be mindful for the rumble strips on the shoulder. Those can damage a wheel really quickly if you aren't careful (I normally bunny hop over them if I need to move to the lane).

My 60+ mile solo this week should take me from home to Fulshear, Brookshire, Stephen F. Austin Golf Course, maybe all the way to I-10, and back again. I tend to like out and backs more than loops. That way I can watch for things both ways. This will be a cadence driven ride. I bonked my last ride and didn't even know it until I saw my computer. I felt like I was pushing near my max HR but it was at 155. It didn't help that I was having some stomach cramps as well. I guess I didn't eat enough for breakfast that morning and then the energy chews didn't sit well with me. Hopefully this week will be better.

My first MS150 consisted of nothing but 20-30 mile training rides. I did one 40+ mile ride and then did the MS150. You should be set.

I'm just off of S. Fry myself.