muralironaldo7

Hello All,

This is a totally new world for me. I have a friend who has MS and I wish to ride the MS 150 for the cause. This is my first time riding a bike and I have no experience what so ever. No training also. I wish to start training and ride the whole race on April 12. I guess it is enough time to train.

Just to give a background, I am not in the perfect shape but I play regular soccer at a competitive level. I do have some strength in my legs. I bike 3-4 times a week for about 10 miles on my mountain bike and finish it off anywhere between 40-43 mins. That is all the biking i am doing

Any tips on how to train, lessons on riding a road bike, eating habits and anything relevant would be of great help and highly appreciated.

Thanks

Ron

StephenH

The MS 150 is 150 miles over two days, right? So only 75 miles a day.
I'll bet right now, you could take your mountain bike and go ride 75 miles. You might not be the fastest person out there, but you sure wouldn't be the slowest, either.

Anyway, if you're not training for races or something like that, just go ride a bunch and have some fun with it. On longer rides, pace yourself, don't go hammer and tongs for 20 miles, then collapse on mile 21. A road bike'll speed you up some. If you're overweight, then losing weight always helps. During a longer ride, eat when you're hungry, drink when you're thirsty. Work in some 50-60 mile rides before the event. Figure out how to avoid leg cramps.

10 Wheels

First Day Is close to 95 miles.

muralironaldo7

The MS 150 is a little over 150 miles. Its a 100 mile course on day 1 and a 75 miles on day 2. Like you say I dont wan to be the fastest rider there but i surely dont ant to be the slowest either. And most important of all, I need to be able to finish the 175 miles, all of it. I am not overweight (152 lb, 5'6" tall) but surely I have some to lose which I figured i would when I train enough. I do not look at this as a one time event and possibly might make it into racing and riding more with the confidence I would gain from completing this event. Thanks for your input.

2592

I would suggest that you join one of the many teams. If your company doesn't have one, most of the local bike shops do. Look for a team that has a training program. A road bike is not necessary, but if you choose to ride your mountain bike get slick “road” tires. Check out the MS150 web site for other helpful hints. There are usually discussions over at the Texas forum as well.

donalson

i'm planning on doing the ride as well for '14...

you do have a few ride length options... as low as 76 miles the first day
https://biketxh.nationalmssociety.org...df?docID=66351

skiffrun

Stephen, I'm sure you meant "eat before you're hungry and drink before you're thirsty" to stay on the good side of Velocio's shade.

aggiegrads

I don't see a problem here. Who do you think is riding around on 700cm wheels?

skiffrun

Obvious brain-fart. Read "70cm," but brain interpreted as "70mm." Realized after I logged out and doing other (real ?) stuff, but I couldn't get back in time to erase the brain-fart text before ...

msd3075

There is a recent discussion about the MS 150 in the Texas section:

https://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php/920035-Ms-150

There is some good info in here about what to expect and a few pointers to help you out in your training and while on the ride.

If you are in half-decent shape and learn how to stay fed and hydrated, you should have absolutely no problem completing the ride.