the latter. You will use all your gears.

I know it caused alot of bad feelings when they first implemented the $400 minimum, but it came about mostly due to the restriction on the number of riders. TxDOT limits them to 13,000 riders due to some of the roads we go down and the amount of traffic chaos the ride causes in the places we pass through. Also, construction at the fairgrounds in LaGrange has limited the available space there as well. Given that the event is first and foremost a fundraiser for the National MS Society, they put into place the minimum to make sure that people signing up and taking up the limited number of spots in the ride actually did raise funds for the cause. Up to that point, they annually had a lot of people sign up early to get a spot, and then never ride or raise any funds, or ride and take up resources, but not fundraise. Meanwhile, there were others wanting to ride and raise funds who were unable to get a spot. It really isn't that hard to raise $400...just put up a sign beside your desk and ask coworkers. Put a link to your donation page at the bottom of your email signature. Ask for donations instead of birthday presents from family.

The great part about the ride is that you don't really have to ride 83 miles...you have to ride about 10-11 miles 8 times. The breakpoints are frequent enough and you can grab some food and refill your bottles and get back on for another 10 mile ride. If you break it down in your mind like that, it becomes much more manageable mentally. Nothing but saddle time will really make it more manageable on your back side though...Good Luck!

If you are looking for a good hill training group ride, the Head for the Hills ride in Chappell Hill next weekend is a very good one. Lots of good hills that are as hard or harder than what will be in the MS150 and hopefully some prime wildflower viewing as well.

You guys keep mentioning this Head for the Hills ride in Chappell Hill...makes me regret that I signed up for the Ridiculous Obstacle Challenge next weekend in Baytown.

Absolutely invaluable advice to anyone that has never ridden in the MS150 before and/or attempted to ride that many miles in one day.

Thinking about getting to the next rest stop not only helps it seem manageable but also helps time go by a lot faster. It also helps you enjoy each stage and feel like you accomplished something along the ride.

My bike failed inspection last night.

I took it to Planetary Cycles 2 weeks ago to get a spoke replaced and asked them to check it out for the MS 150 (they aren't doing official inspections). They replaced the rear brake pads and adjusted the front derailleur and said it was good to go. So last night I went to the Saint Arnold team inspection party expecting it to pass, but they told me it needs a new chain, new cassette and new handlebar tape.

Now I'm not sure where I can get all of that done and inspected before the ride.

Any advice?

Those seem like an odd set of components to warrant failing the inspection. Who was actually doing the inspection? Was it a shop that was just trying to sell parts and services? Do you have an opportunity to take it to a different shop that does inspections to see if they might pass it? If they don't, they will have the parts you need right there and will be able to make the repairs and then give you the sticker.

Oddly enough...I just ordered a new chain and cassette from Nashbar and they'll arrive on Saturday. Both components are just plain old and need replacing. I also just replaced my bar tape a few weeks ago when I re-did some brake/shifter cabling. The total tab for the chain and cassette was $87. My guess is the shop price for a new chain, cassette and bar tape would be about $150 depending on the components.

I took my bike to a shop in Austin 3 weeks ago. I do all my own wrenching plus I do a few weird things with my cable routings, so I was expecting them to hem and haw about that. The mechanic threw it up on the stand, ran it through all the gears, made a small adjustment to the front derailleur and then said "Well...the tires look a little worn and your back wheel could use some truing". Then she took it off the stand and looked at the brakes and discovered that the rear brake cable housing was too short so that when the bars were turned hard light, the rear brakes engaged. I managed to convince her and her shop manager that I would remedy those things and they just shrugged, said "okay" and stuck a sticker on my stem.

Good luck!

Thanks. The inspection was done by Bicycle World of Houston. They didn't offer to fix it, and when I called today to see if they could schedule me they couldn't guarantee that they could fix it before the ride. I'm about to take it to Houston Cycling Centres and get them to fix it. The handlebar tape is torn up a bit, and I knew the chain was worn. These are good repairs to have, and I would try to do them myself if I had more time. I'm still a novice.

new handlebar tape? Seriously? to ride in a charity event?

Yeah, I was surprised by that. It is pretty torn up, but not in the places where my hands go. New tape will be nice. Sigh.

Hey, didn't get your text until late last night. training is good. haven't done a long ride since bluebonnet, but a few short rides with the wife. we're looking forward to it. met with the team last night and got our packets and swag. going to start from waller. you still owe me a GBP/THP out and back ride out here :)

I have ridden a number of MS150s in central Indiana and once traveled to Texas for the Houston to Austin ride.

My biggest surprises on the Texas ride were that we covered about 85miles the first day instead of the 75 I planned for and there were lots more hills and more wind than I expected. The lesson for me was to study the route distance and terrain for each day and train accordingly.

A pleasant surprise at the end of day 1 was the tent for receiving a complimentary massage. I truly needed relief after riding more miles than expected on a borrowed mountain bike with knobby tires. A friend (?) provided the bike, and I wasn't about to reject it after traveling from Indiana to Houston for the event.

The MS150s support a wonderful charity to help find new treatments and patient support programs. Have fun and raise lots of money!!

Your statement is true, but 83 miles in a day with hills is a challenge that shouldn't be understated. Its a real test for one's legs and sitter that should be appropriately prepared for.

SwampDude...that's pretty gutsy to ride the MS150 on a borrowed bike without really knowing the route! The route I'm taking starts from Katy TX, which makes the first day an even 100 miles. The second day is either 77 or 66 miles depending on the route chosen. I'll see how I feel when I wake up Sunday morning. The 77 mile route is very hilly for the first 30 miles then flattens out bit for the final stretch into Austin. So it technically will be either the MS177 or MS166 for me! I will certainly have cash available for the masseuses!

I was starting to get concerned about the ride until last weekend when I did 80 and 60 mile rides on Saturday and sunday. I felt pretty good at the end of both days so now I'm a lot more comfortable about the upcoming event. I plan to do 80 miles tomorrow and then maybe a recovery ride on Sunday and then ride one more time on Wednesday for an hour or two.

I was really happy with my legs and cardio...most of my concern was with some chafing problems I was having with my bibs...and I ended up having to get a new saddle last week too. That's a risky change to make this close to an event but it appears to all be working out.

I think I'm going to start in Katy at Rhodes Stadium. The MS 150 site says it starts at 6:45 am. What time should I plan to get to the stadium?

Getting ready for this is starting to feel like more work than actually doing it.

The mountain bike was supposed to be a decent road bike, but the number of out-of-state visitors in our group outnumbered the road bike supply. My bike was a last minute fill in. That first day almost did me in, seriously.

You are ready, and your outing should be enjoyable if the weather cooperates. Many who are not so well prepared will struggle, but the cause is well worth the effort.

I also had my bike inspected the other night at Saint Arnold, but they didn't do an thing to it at all. I was the second person to go through, and they had just brought out a pitcher of beer for the mechanics. Maybe that had something to do with it.

Also was standing outside with my buddy when his bike went through, and the only thing they did was re-wrap a small portion of his handlebar tape so it was a bit tighter. Nothing else.

Never got the feeling from them that they were trying to generate business for repairs or that they were being overly meticulous. Then again I was only there for two inspections, both done by the same guy (the guy on the left closest to the brewery entrance).

You don't have to pass inspection to ride in the MS 150; you only need the inspection to get free roadside repairs during the ride.

Yes, I understand, but so many people get intimidated by the total mileage. Only focusing on the current stage during the ride helps ease the psychological challenge of it all.

The same dude did my bike. I was probably 10 people behind you. The pitcher was still mostly full when I got up there.

I don't disagree that my chain is stretched and my tape is ragged. Replacing them is the right thing to do. It's just a pain to try to get it done right now. I wish the first shop I took it to would have said something. I would have paid them to do it.

If you are starting in Katy, Day 1 will only be about 83 miles. It is right at 100 if you start down at Tully Stadium at I-10 and Dairy Ashford.

I am more familiar with starting at Tully than at Rhodes, but the answer will mostly depend on how long you take to get ready once you get there and how close to the front you want to be at the start. Due to traffic and such around the parking area, I would start by adding 10-15 minutes to how long it would normally take you to get there. Also factor in lines to use the restroom (remember...always take a pregame...) and time to get setup in the dark. I would not plan to arrive any later than 6am, and if I were starting there, would probably shoot for getting there around 5:30. That assumes you already have your numbers on your jersey and bike and such, but need to do things like air up tires and strap on an underseat bag. You can always nap in the car for a while if you find yourself with a bunch of extra time, but you don't want to be late and end up at the back of the start line behind a huge number of slow riders.

That is another benefit of doing an offsite start with a team in the energy corridor...don't have to mess with the crowds and waiting in line to start. My wife and I start from our house which is only about 2 miles from where the route goes by Queenston on Clay Road, so we don't have to mess with any of it anymore.

And as Swamp said...thanks to all of y'all for riding and fundraising! It is a very good cause!

Yeah yeah yeah, but I get beer. :)

Sounds like next year we should do the team inspections a few weeks earlier to allow for repairs.

Might be something we should bring it up with Lennie.

Believe me, it will all feel worth it when you ride through Fayetteville on day 1 and when you get within a couple of blocks of the finish in Austin on day 2. I wish I could bottle the feeling I get riding through Fayetteville...but it would probably be considered a PED or controlled substance by somebody.

We get beer...and ice cream sandwiches!

If anyone is starting at/near Rhodes and wants to miss the crowd, do what we did last year and start in the Katy Mills Mall parking lot. You have to go through one stoplight at the edge of the parking lot, ride a few hundred feet, cross under I-10, and you meet up with the Rhodes route about half a mile from the start line. Only downside is you can't leave your car there, but if someone is just dropping you off it's a great place to meet up.

I'm starting to get nervous because we haven't been able to train as much in the last few weeks as I wanted. Due to weather and work I was never able to do a back to back long ride, just a single day. I think I can do it, but I'm still nervous. But at the same time I'm really excited. We just bought a kick ass tent, too. We were finally able to reach the $400 minimum funds raised too. Barely.

And we're going to start from Waller, and the map on the MS150 site says the site opens at 7am. I plan on getting there around 6:30-6:45. I'm worried about not getting a place.

I believe fhe waller start is a rolling start...so you can start anytime you want after something like 8am.. Lots of space out there and lots of folks start fairly late there.