I'm doing the MS150 this year also. I was also worried about the 2nd day of riding last year but I ended up having a faster average the 2nd day. They will have free massages when we arrive in Key Largo, so take advantage of that. The beach party that night was also a lot of fun. Oh, the faster you get there the better location you can pick for your tent. :)

That's funny. Even though I was sore I also finished quicker on the second day. I guess knowing that it was going to end gave me that extra push.

At least you didn't toss your cookies! (or maybe you did :o )I googled the Houston MS150 to read past ride reports, and some guy wrote up this big ol' list of stuff he ate for lunch. He wrote later how he got sick soon after crossing the finish line. No wonder! You wanna spread out the food part during the ride and not sit down and eat a ton mid-way through your ride.

I did my first MS150 last year in Dallas. It was a great experience! It was a great challenge mentally and physically so start training now. But it's amazing how much and how far a positive mental attitude will get you!

I'd suggest a good pair of cycling shorts and a tube of Butt Butter because the chaffing on the inner thighs by the groing hurt me more than the mileage! Ugh!

I bought my first road bike in Feb of last year and rode the MS ride in May. We rode every weekend including 25-30mile loops and a few 62-65 mile oragnized rides to build up our miles. I felt that if I could do 65 miles, an extra 10-15 more wouldn't kill me. During the week we ate, well... better than usual, and jumped on the bike trainer 2-3 times during the weekday. The CTS and Spinerval dvd's were really helpful and still are. I bought the best one I could afford and it came with the CTS Time Trial dvd. It helped a lot. I also lifter some weights and strengthened the core muscles. I actually went from 180lbs down to 163lbs by the MS ride.

The main thing, though, is getting lot of miles under your belt. Or as many as you can get. Because believe me... for a first timer, it wasn't a cake walk!! And with good training going into day 2 wasn't that bad. You just need to prepare yourself mentally and drink lots of water during the week and during the ride. I used the mantra: " I will not be beat!" to get me through the hard times.

Here is my blog of the training we did for the MS Ride so you get an idea of what we did:

http://garylee333.blogs.friendster.com/my_blog/

Good luck! It was certainly tough but worth it. Moreso because I rode for a freind who had MS. So instead of just challenging ourselves it became very personal. :)

So now I'm training for the MS Ride (Waves to Wine) in San Francisco since I moved out of Texas. I was told that this year's ride is going to be really good including a start over the Golden Gate bridge down to Sausalito, over parts of the Tour of California route and so on. The hard parts... A month ago I was back up to 180 and I was told there will be 7000 ft of climbing on the first day. Good thing it's in September so I have time to get back into biking shape (not this round shape I've become!).

Oh yeah, there will be all kinds of people in all kinds of shapes and sizes so don't worry about going slow. Just go at your own pace and stop to eat sensibly and drink a lot.

You will be fine and have a blast. I am grew up down there, and am flying down for the ride. Ya team Tar Peddlers

Yeah, I ate at every rest stop. But even then I was starving at the end. I didn't get sick at all. I had been training for a while so I knew what foods to avoid.

I think this is one of the best pieces of advice from personal experience I have heard so far. You cannot stress enough getting the milage under your belt. Also, getting a good fit on a bike and riding it plenty to get very well used to it is a plus. So, get that darn PF built already and get it on the road!!!!!!!!!!!:D :D :D

I've done about 10 MS 150s and raised over 440Kin the process. My rides have been in GA and FL. The first one I did, in GA, when I was about 55 was the worst as I didn't train for it. I guess I thought I was still 19! My leg tendons gave me hell after the first day - 80 miles and I only completed 20 on the next day.
After that I trained for about 6 weeks before each ride and had no problems. As others have said, train, plan your nutrition just before and during the ride and pace yourself. In FL it's wind that you might have to contend with. The 150s are very well orgainized. You'll love it. I'm now 66 and wouldn't hesitate to do another one. Depending on wind/hills I average 14-16mph. Good luck.

It's a lot of fun and as long as you take some time to get yourself used to being in the saddle you'll be fine. My first year I was on an old Kmart type bike with only 3 working gears. I only did 3 rides prior maxing at 30 miles. I only did day one, but it was fine. Second year, new Giant hybrid, did both days. My legs hurt at the end of day one, but once I got going on day two I was faster as well. Last year new road bike, my team (met the year before and added to them) averaged 16 mph both days, and one of the guys only rode his bike 1/4 mile down the road and back to train (!) and rode both days. Of course that is INSANE and he cramped up several times, but still made it to the free beer at the end! I hope you have great weather! We had hard rain almost all of the second day last year and none of the guys had rain gear and were freezing- plan ahead in case a storm sneaks up on you! Best of Luck! :)

Let me start by thanking you all. I cannot beleive all the support on this thread, makes me glad to be a BF member. I just got my new frame in the mail today, I took part in the group buy from PF. Hopefully I can get it built by next weekend and start training on ot. Till now, I have been riding a home-made (for lack of a better term) single-speed Bianchi. I have been doing 25 mile rides averaging about 17mph. The gearing is pretty tough at 53/16 and fighting a headwind is really a chore. As for riding gear, I do have some, but its nothing fancy. I have a pair of Cannondale shorts, a Jersey or two and some Shimano R098s. I hope this will do.

I was actually considering doing the ride on the SS, but after this weekends, had a change of heart. I hit a strong headwind on mile 20 and It stuck with me till I got home. It really stunk not having a gear to bail to... and by the end, my legs were shot. Do you all agree that the smarter thing would be to ride a geared bike, it would probably increase my chances of finishing?

I'm pretty excited about the ride, and really looking forward to riding a lap in the Homestead motor complex, which is the local Nascar track. I'm not a huge Nascar fan, but the thought of taking a high-banked turn seems pretty cool. It will be on day two, so hopefully my endurance and mental state will allow me to enjoy the experience.

Thanks again to all who have posted and for all the well wishes.

Peace.

I would definately go with the gear options, will keep your legs fresher. Stop briefly at all the rest stops even if you don't necessarily feel like you need to, will help you in the long run. Grab small bites of food at the stops to keep fueled up and stay hydrated. I actually carbo loaded before last years and feel like it helped me. BTW, if you raise enough money they will give you a jersey for the ride! I got a yellow one last year. :)

Stylo, let me know how your training is coming a long. I'm in Weston and i've been looking at that MS150 ride also. right now i'm doing much shorter rides but I have managed to get up into the low 20 miles range after only 5 weeks of having the road bike. My only problem is the "fee". they require a min amount of $250 I think it was and I'm not the type of person that likes asking people for $.

as for someone that mentioned climbing...this goes from miami area into the keys. the only climbing we'd be doing is the draw bridge just before Key Largo and maybe an overpass here and there. haha.

We should all meet at the start and 1/2 way point of this thing and have a BF party down there. I am also looking forward to riding around Homestead. It will be like the worlds largest velodrome for a few hours.

I've been on a couple tracks on a motorcycle. i'm not sure how exciting it will be to ride around that track on a bicycle. :( something to tell the grand kids about though I guess.

I was like you, my first year I was lucky enough to have one person donate enough for me to ride. Last year I collected $1,200. This past year I got my boyfriend to ride with me (his first time) and he didn't want to ask anyone either, but I said just put something up at work- and he was surprised to find out how many people's lives were affected at work by MS and they were happy to donate. I found the same thing, people are willing to help when you tell them what you're going to do. Good luck!

unfortunately there are only 4 people in my office. :) if it comes down to the $ I might just put it in myself. the food, drink, support, hotel and dinner would be more than worth the $250. Plus I get to beat up on my legs too. :D

Hotel? Why don't you camp out with the rest of us? :)

is that what they are doing down there? that works for me too.

alright I have to get in shape for this now.

Yea, the whole camp ground is open to us at Pennekamp. The truck will bring your stuff both ways.

I had that same number last year in my office. Do you hang out anywhere? Anywhere you know people is a good place to talk up what you're doing. I used to bartend and they still all sponsor me when I go in to visit. Of course last year they made it contingent on me eating a "Cannibal sandwich" which to me is repulsive, but it made me $200 for the cause and I figured a day with MS was worse than stomaching one 2x2 square of raw high quality ground beef. When people ask what you're up to say "Oh, I'm training for the MS150" which leads to "what's that?" and then "my mom (sister, aunt,cousin) has MS, I'll sponsor you". The MS website has a lot of ideas for generating $$'s as well. I made it into a competition with one of my teammates, he beat me by $10, argh! Best of luck!

No way not for me. After that many miles I want a nice room with a bath and a bed. Plus this year I'm taking my wife and kids so were making it a mini getaway.

As far as the fund rainsing portion, I work in a hospital and will be adding a link to my signature line in outlook. That usually generates a bit of attention. I'm also hitting up everyone I know; all four of them better donate...

I'm starting to get psyched. I usually HATE the trainer, but I jumped on last night.