Houston to Austin MS 150

[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!

[Aggie_Ama]

Wow, they didn't even open registration until 10:15 CST this morning. You are going to have so much fun!!! The bluebonnets and wildflowers are awesome in April, I am excited for you. I love this ride just can't quite swing the fund raising.

Logistically, I would fly to Houston and then bus back to Houston. Or better into Houston out of Austin, might not be too bad on cost to do it that way and then you can see my fair city before leaving to go home. You finish VERY near the Texas Capitol building (you can see it riding up), take your bike there for a great souvenir photo!

Best thing if you can afford it is to book the headquarters hotel, it is really nice, there is an expo and a cool atmosphere with bikes all over the place! Then you can probably hook up with people to ride to the start or do a renegade start. I am not fond of the renegade starts, even though you wait for a long time there is really good energy at the start lines. I have done both official start and started off site but on the course. Can you tell I get excited just thinking about my two rides of the MS150?

[katluvr]

Yep...already booked host hotel!
Definitely want to spend some time in Austin...we will have a rental car so we can drive back there is we want. Also figured we can make transportation changes later.
Yes, very excited. Already over 10,000 signed up now. I think it may be full in less than 24 hours. WOW! We have a triathlon here that fills up in less than 24hours and I thought that was pretty impressive.
Thanks for all the info. I'll be in touch as time draws near.
K

[polly4711]

Kat-

This is my first year of doing a MS ride ever!!!! i'm doing the MS 150 from houston to austin also. I'm so excited, but nervous at the same time. I'm a little out of shape... and need to get back into it! Any tips?!?!

JP

[Aggie_Ama]

Polly,

The first time I did this ride I decided in January to do it and it was only my third organized ride. I was in shape from running 4x a week but was a nervous wreck thinking about a ride of this length. And BTW running fitness does not mean you are in shape for long distance cycling.

What did I do? Rode, rode and even when I thought I might have rode enough I rode more. You have 6 months to train, you will be able to be ready. Look for organized rides that are designated as training rides. Maybe organize or find a local group. If you like find a century training program, I am not into anything that structured myself. I only did one organized 76 miler after signing up, all other rides were on my own. I would do short 12-15 milers after work and long rides on the weekend. I averaged about 100 miles a week and still ran 3x a week. I was still nervous but prepared. The first time was a great time (as was the second year using same method). Others on my team who had rode just on weekends and shorter rides on the weekends felt miserable. IMO getting time in the saddle is the #1 thing.

[katluvr]

Hey Polly...let me know if you hook up w/ a team. I will start looking for one soon.
I have done LOTS of MS 150's over the past 5 years. By spring I am normally in pretty OK biking shape. Running doesn't always translate to biking, but I have really good endurance. Slow but steady.
Amanda gives good info.
Here is my take and recommendation...WHATEVER you do to train DO a distance LONGER than 75 miles (or whatever the max distance is on one day). You NEVER know when things are tougher or longer than originally mapped out...or in my case when you end up on the Century route by accident. 2 years ago we had a team of newbies. Every weekend we would plan a ride. One day long and one day short. WE TRIED AND TRIED to encourge thes folks to ride w/ us. Most of them had never done 50 or 75 miles by the tmie we got to MS150 day. Yes, they survived, Had fun....but could of have more fun, etc. SO the next year we thought the would wise up and train better...NOT! They think we are "die hards" and even "hammer heads" (OK usually my avg speed in in the 15mph range unless drafting w/ a moderately faster group--and usually only hit 20 mph going down hill! or w/ tail wind--hammer head my arse!).
Time in the saddle...for tehe tush and privates--they just have to get used to it. And for the shoulders/neck...again time in the position makes it much more bareable.
And Amanda is right...you have time. And an indoor bike on a trainer is great for working on strength, etc. I felt much better prepared for spring riding by diong hard DVDs on the bike!
Good luck and let's stay in touch.
Right now I am training for a 1/2 marathon, so not much biking. But that will change soon enough!
K