I love R2R. They do an amazing job getting riders ready for the MS150.

Here we go again...another wet Saturday morning, then a cold and windy Sunday. It's time to bring back out the trainer. That spin class doesn't look so bad now..."CycleBar" anyone?

I will see y'all at the Grand Fondo tomorrow.

Just got back from the Katy Ram Challenge ride. The intermittent light rain wasn't bad, but the thunder and lightning would not move out of the area. They finally called off the ride when the forecast said it would continue for at least the morning. Here's hoping it clears out for the Gran Fondo tomorrow.

At the captain's meeting Tuesday night, they stressed the fact that the ConocoPhillips lot closes to traffic at 6:00 am. So, you will need to arrive before then, or use the Addicks Park and Ride lot.

La La La La La I can't hear you. La La L a La La.

Seriously, I am not taking anything for granted about the weather until the 26th. I am more worried about tomorrow and the Gran Fondo Texas. 44 degrees and a 10-15 mph headwind for the majority of the first 34 miles (44 for the longer routes). The tailwind will make the back half of the ride easier though.

Got 50 in this weekend. Felt ok, so doubling it should be fine, right? lol

Going to bike commute through wednesday, then take thursday and friday off.

Wasn't gonna ride the MS this year, but a buddy took ill and I am going to ride in his stead. Weather forecast looks absolutely perfect. Fast Fast Fast! I'm halfway tempted to just ride it in a day!

It will be fine if you take it easy. And if there isn't a big head wind.

My longest ride this year has been 63 miles. I'm debating where I'll start, Park Row or Rhodes. If the wind is good I'll do the 100.

I have been hesitating posting about the weather, but since y'all started it...

I am looking forward to two days of tailwind, even if it is kinda mild at less than 10 mph. The 65 mile route for the Gran Fondo was tough. I blame the cold and headwind. The hills weren't doing me any favors though. With the favorable winds, I may actually do the challenge route this year. The roads are new and smooth, so it might be fun.

Fundraising is easy this week (possible 4x of every dollar donated)
 

X2: Team match
X3: Company match
X4: MS Anonymous Donor match (up to 250k)

Yeah I saw the forecast. It's still early but a 10 ESE tailwind would be ******. Last year first day was mostly a crosswind. And we all remember day two of misery. Honestly I'll be most happy if the weather is just sunny and not raining or cloudy. Tailwind is just a bonus.

Which roads are new and smooth? Bastrop Park?

Yes, brand new super smooth asphalt pavement on the road through the parks.

planning on doing the park route day 2 - i hear its lots of quick steep ups and downs

I was planning on it until I drove it. We went out with our team and camped in Buescher State Park a couple of weekends ago. We were supposed to ride the park road Saturday morning as part of our ride route, but it was closed due to downed trees from the overnight storms. I have gained quite a bit of weight back that I had lost, and even though I feel strong, steeper hills just gas me right now. My granny gear right now is a 36x25, so I don't have the low gearing to just grind them out like I would on my old 34x28.


Sunday am, my wife wasn't feeling that well so we drove the road from Beuscher SP to Bastrop SP, and all I can say is "damn". Some of those hills are steep AND long. Two years ago I would have been all over it, but this year I just don't think I am ready for that much pain as part of day 2. Yes, I know that makes me a wuss...a flat ground, tailwind loving wuss...but it is what it is this year. Maybe next year.

The bypass route skips both parks. Once you enter Buescher SP, you are going all the way through to Bastrop SP. The first part of the challenge route leading to the parks is hilly, but not as much as the route actually within the parks. You have the option to go straight and bypass the parks altogether at Smithville, or you can turn right and enter the park. But once you enter the park, there is no option to cut out and bypass it.

The MS 150 site lists 3 routes: Bypass, Express and Challenge.

I just want to do the hilliest one. I've never done it before.

Pretty sure you know this by now and hopefully you turned left..

Express - Right turn out of Fairground and Ride 71
Challenge route - left turn out of fairground
Bypass - at the end of the challenge route keep straight for the bypass (puts you on 71) or right turn into Buescher State Park

I had an good day one, despite my lack of training. I found a good group of riders and averaged 19.4 mph into Bellville from Waller. The milled roads and rumble strips not only vibrated me, but I found my front skewer had flipped open when I arrived in Bellville That could have been ugly. The hills at the end were murder as usual. I ended up at about a 17.4 mph by the time I got into La Grange. We actually had an RV and tent to arrive to in La Grange, so we handed out some beer and ate some food. Our overnight accommodations were at a youth camp 10 miles down the Express route. The trip back to La Grange was at 5:00 am, so I took a pass. Day two for us was a short 52 miles.

I enjoyed the ride into COTA and I liked the layout better than Austin. Having a tent city for us smaller teams was a great idea. I like having a place to go and grab some post-workout snacks and cool down. The parking situation was a bummer though. That hill was no fun and the mile plus walk was no fun.

Finally was able to load the ride from my garmin into Strava...

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