Houston to Austin MS 150

[katluvr]

Ok, I am already "planning" ahead next springs cycling events. We always do "our" MS 150 in Florida and one in another state. I have heard this is the "biggest" MS 150. So we are thinking of doing this one. Anyone done it? I also heard that registration sells out in a few weeks...anyone know if that is true and when/how do you hear about when registation opens? Also, any idea what the dates are for 09? Lastly as a "flatlander" from Florida--what kind of "hills" am I in for?
Any info at all will be helpful!

[amelia05]

I've done it the past two years...2007 was great, 2008 was miserable. Wind made all the difference--this year it was headwind the whole way, for the first time in over 10 years. My friend quit at noon the first day, I bagged it at lunch on the 2nd day.

It does sell out really fast--registration opens in October, and last year it sold out in 11 days. Corporate teams sometimes have reserved spots if you miss the general registration, but unless you work for a company with a team or know someone that does, I wouldn't count on that option.

The ride dates for 2009 are 4/18-4/19, but I'm not sure when registration opens. In the past, it's been early-to-mid October, so I would keep an eye on the website starting late this month. (http://ms150.org/ms150)

As for hills...there are some rollers on the first day, but they're in the 2nd half of the route...from Houston to the lunch stop in Bellville is fairly flat. Most the hills are on the 2nd day, and you have a choice of going straight up Hwy 71 (higher traffic, no shade, but more gradual hills) to the lunch stop or going through the state park (lots of short steep rollers). I've done both, and prefer the park. The uphills are hard, but you can really pick up some speed on the descents. There's also an option to go toward the park but then short-cut across and go straight into Bastrop. I've heard that route is kind of a happy medium between the "lunch express" (Hwy 71) and the "challenge route" (park), though I've never done it. The elevation maps for the route are here.

Unless there's a change in route from 2007, there's a good set of big rollers coming into Austin also. They look nasty, but you can get enough momentum going down to make it most of the way up the next one without an enormous effort.

Finally, about finding a place to stay. If you're not planning on riding with a team or camping at the fairgrounds in La Grange, plan on booking your hotel/lodgings EARLY. Most more affordable hotels are booked solid right after the previous MS150 (people I've talked to have said that those that stay there just book every weekend for the month of April in the next year, then cancel the other weekends once they know the event dates). Sometimes you can get lucky and find something after the cancellation deadline in March, but to be safe I would start looking for a room now. This page will tell you which hotels have shuttle service to/from the fairgrounds, but be forewarned--you may get a driver that has no idea where your hotel is. Those volunteers come from all over, and may not know the area any better than you do. I stayed at the Hyatt Lost Pines last year, and the shuttle bus ride there was 2 hours long, with half the passengers having to tell the bus driver where to turn to get to their hotels. Not fun. (That hotel was nice, btw, but I won't be staying there again. Too spendy.) RV parks are another option...I have a friend who went in with a group renting an RV the last two years, and he highly recommends it. Ends up being about the same cost as local hotels, and a lot less hassle. There are several parks around the fairgrounds...not sure how fast they fill up, though.

[Aggie_Ama]

The MS150 is one of my all time favorite rides. I have done it twice and both experiences were great. Amelia gave you the run down and I agree with her description. Coming into Austin the hills can be brutal only because you are tired, normally you wouldn't think much of them.

Things to know:

1. Don't let the challenge route (AKA The Park) scare you, you will really miss out of the absolute best part of the ride. Yes the hills of the park are hard but it is the prettiest part of the ride. The first year I was freaked out by the stories of it (hilly, some inexperienced riders, etc) and almost backed out. I am so glad my husband gently urged me to take it. They are steep but the first year I had less than a year of riding and was living between Austin and Houston, all we had were very gentle rollers.

2. Texas can be miserably hot in April, one year (2006) it was a scorcher. Houston is humid as all get out so day one can be a bit trying on you if you don't do heat well. But you're from Florida so you can probably handle that.

3. Camping in the fairgrounds is more fun than it sounds. We never stayed in the hotels. They have movies in the park plus about 10,000 of your closest biking friends. Also there is a kind of fair where you can find ice cream and other goodies after riding 100 miles on day one (depending where you started).

4. Find a team if you can. Many will let anyone join and help with logistics. I did it with a team both times and it was a good experience. The first year it was just volunteers from my old job but they have set up our tents and made us dinner when we got to the fairgrounds! The team I rode with last time will take anyone, it is Ol' Army Cycling, they are Texas A&M Grads but we had some non-Aggies ride with us. That was 2007 so double check on that.

Finally, I believe registration is usually open October 1, I would double check because I expect it will sell out in a week or less.

[katluvr]

Thanks to both of you for the info. Hopefully I'll see you there.
As for HEAT...I live in Florida.
I like to plan early so I'll keep an eye on the website and also about booking hotel.
At least I know this winter I need to plan/train for hills!
Thanks again. I may be back in touch once if and when I register!
K

[Aggie_Ama]

Kat- Just got the email that registration will open October 15, 2008. I would expect it to sell out in a week, probably even less. It sold out QUICK last year.

[DrBadger]

Kat-
I did my first Houston-Austin MS 150 last year (yes, the he!! year of 2008 with headwinds the whole way!). It was a blast. I think that you have been given the important information already. i would agree with Aggie Ama....try to ride with a team. I work for BP and ride on their team (we are title sponsors so there are some additional perks as well riding with them). If you know someone at any of the companies you can usually get on the team that way (ie. if any of you are interested in riding on team BP, PM me and we will talk).

Anyway, have fun, and hopefully I will see you here in Houston in April!
Ellen

[katluvr]

WOW... it is a long way off but I am getting excited already.
Love new adventues and all the feedback here has been wonderful AND makes me more sure this I the ride I want to do this year.
Yeah, registration fee is more than I normally pay and the minimum $$ to raise is also up a bit. But I think it will be all worth it!
Thanks again!
I'll be in touch. I have the registration opening day on my Outlook Calendar w/ the "alarm" set! I am sure to get in!

[Aggie_Ama]

Kat- FYI I got an email from my old team saying it sold out in 11 days last year, after selling out in 30 days the year before. Good thing you have the alarm! I would expect it to sell out in single digit days if not opening day.

I feel the ride is worth it if you can commit to fund raising and the travel. It was $50 last time I did it (I think) and I thought that was a fair price. You get a t-shirt and water bottle, plus a good lunch both days (not common in TX), dinner Saturday and breakfast Sunday if you are at the campgrounds. The campgrounds are fun and if you are on a team you will have a big covered tent which everyone bunks in. It was weird for me but really fun, I highly recommend the campground experience but then again we like camping anyway.

[katluvr]

I am in!!!!
It is 1:45 PM EST and there are already 8600 riders registered! WOW!
Of course was not sure if I want to fly into Houston or Austin...so did I want transportation to or from...etc. But can worry about that later.
PLUS...hope to find a team.
But the exciting part is I am going to join 13000 riders in this great event.
Whoohoo!