Houston to Austin MS150
 

I didn't see this posted anywhere, so I thought I'd pass it along.
The Bike Barn site says that registration begins on 10/15 @ 10:15 AM. I'm pretty stoked, as this'll be my first one. I had planned on testing my current ability during the Bike Around the Bay, but I'm pretty sure that'll be called off, even though they're still talking pretty positive on the website.

Thanks for passing this on. Do you know if there is a need to register early? Is there a cap on the number of riders?

Yes there is a cap, and you usually have about a month to register before it fills up.

-Nate

You DEFINITELY need to register early. Last year, the ride filled up in about two weeks.

Anyone who does not ride it can still volunteer to work a break point. (feed/water/rest/repair point) It is still pending whether we work a break point next year; my wife wants to switch groups, or possibly give it a pass in 2009.

Does anyone have any recommendations on teams? A friend that I'm planning on riding with said he may have a line on a small team, but I'm wondering if is better to sign up with a bigger team like Sun & Ski or Bike Barn. Thanks for any info.

I heard there are more Bike Shops jumping on board this year. Also the list of the "recommended" rides got longer.

My wife (as of 10/11/08) and I will be riding in it. We rode last year for the first time and had a great time despite the wind! Be sure to register shortly after the open as it does fill up quickly!!

Thanks for all the info. You don't have to ride as part of a team, do you? It's just a matter of raising the $400 minimum pledge, right?

You got it Joker, riding with a team is purely optional, but definitely worth it. If it's your first ride, I'd recommend a ride team like Sun and Ski - it's a big team and VERY well supported. You definitely get a lot of bang for your buck. I rode with them this past year and my ride buddy and I are planning to ride with them again in 2009. $75 bucks got you a jersey and registrations for 4 of the training rides - killer value. There are smaller teams that are more personal and all that I'd assume as well. I even won a free jersey at their meet and greet night raffle!

As for the registrations, this past year's ride sold out in exactly 11 days. I missed the deadline, but got in with a ride team that also had registrations with the MS Society, so it worked out. This past year was my first MS150, and I had a GREAT time, despite almost freezing in the team tent at LaGrange (I was right on the edge of the tent next to the flap) and not getting any sleep, and the wind was pretty stiff on both days. However, NOTHING can prepare you for how good you feel when you roll into the UT Campus and cross that Finish Line. What an experience!

I'm riding in the MS150 this weekend as well (Bike to the Beach) from San Antonio to Corpus by myself - ride buddy couldn't make it. I'm hoping for warmer temps and not so many hills....

Good luck and don't forget to register early!!!
-TB

I would register right on the 15th; it filled in 3 weeks last year, and they haven't increased the cap at all for this year.

Chinotex and I rode last year with Memorial Hermann. It was $40 and you got a jersey, place to crash, great food, and beer. All of the Hermann people were super nice, and you don't have to work for the hospital system to get on their team.

-Nate

I'm going to do the MS150 this year. One of my friends may fly down from Indiana and do it with me. :)
I think it'll be a really nice birthday present to myself... Turning 21 on 4/15 and doing my first MS150 four days later? Hopefully my hangover will be gone by then. ;)

Any good training rides coming up?

One tip I can give you is at the start get off the line quickly and stay ahead of the "herd". The MS150 in recent years has collected more than it's share of "yahoos." Riders who are inexperienced in riding long distances and just don't get the fact that you have to be at certain geographical points at certian times of the day if you're going to make La Grange in time to have dinner and a shower before bedding down for the night.

MS150 posts their "recommended rides" at this link. Not updated for 2009 yet, but you'll notice that almost all of them take place after the first of the year.

I think I've decided to go ahead and sign up with the Bike Barn team. I think the store is great, at least the Westheimer one, so I would imagine the MS150 team is just as good.

Hmm, seems like the MS150 site is being hit hard by people trying to register, keep trying!

^^^ I'm in. The rest of you better hurry. :)

Looks like we crashed the server for a while, there. Now it's back.

I'm in, but joined some Hospital's team basically as the only real cyclist (as a favor for a friend - their are four hospitals in the area and apparently this team needed some support, and it's my bosses' girlfriend, so... might as well).

A little worried but I have heard that the roads are so packed that this isn't really the kind of ride that you want to race through unless you have a great group lined up - and my local group is just a tad fast for me (they average about 26 mph, I almost always fall off the line at about mile 40 of 50.. sigh)

So instead (and I'm a little nervous about this) I will be organizing this team and hopefully teaching them to work in a paceline, and pulling the entire way. Of course, I imagine we'll be going about 15-16 mph so... shouldn't really have any issue since I currently do solo 50-60 mile rides and average about 18 mph. I just hope I don't have too many dropouts.. I've already heard things like "I haven't been on my bike in a year"... urgh..

Oh well, it'll give me a chance to work on my leadership skills and also my motivational ones. Plus, I'll probably live in Austin by then, instead of Houston where I live now.. so maybe I'll be able to ride straight home =p

You better hurry and register. As of 5 mins ago, they have reached 70% of their limit (9064 out of 13000) already. I think registration will close FAR earlier than last year's 3 weeks. Might even close as early as tonight or tomorrow.

This is my first time, too. A couple of close friends did this last year and have recommended it as being a fantastic experience. My LBS is also a strong supporter of the race and the cause.

Bharat

Wow, people may not even be able to sign up after they get home from work today at the rate it is going. It does appear to be slowing down but I can see them getting the next 2500 riders this evening when people get home.

man that's amazing; the spots went from 6400 when I checked this morning to 10,000 in the past hour! I registered NOW to make sure I secure my spot for my first one of these. I joined the Sun Ski Sports team because I buy a lot of supplies and gear from them and they've been a great resource for me as a new cyclist (2 years). I've finished a couple century rides but I know i've got to train for this one. I'm really looking forward to it!

Sooo, by the time registration rolled around, I still wasn't sure what team I wanted to join and since slots were getting filled FAST, I registered without first selecting a team as I was sure I'd be able to join up after I register.

I'm nervous that this is not the case because I can't find an option ANYWHERE. Help?

88% at 2:15pm (4 hours from the time they opened registration). UNBELIEVABLE !! Those waiting to register tonight after getting back home / dinner might be disappointed.