MS 150 - A New Appreciation for Quality Equipment

Wow, epic ride, Ted. Thanks for the writeup. Glad that setup is working out for you.

that write up sucked, gotta root for the underdog, i wanted the guy on the unicycle to win

Quoted post said:

Originally posted by fushman
that write up sucked, gotta root for the underdog, i wanted the guy on the unicycle to win

Here's your patron saint...

And yours truly on Day 2...

Incidentally, I was one of only two souls riding tubulars I saw amidst the thousands. He was riding Zipp 404s (so why was I doing all the pulling??).

ya i was gonna ask first off, why did you even see tho guys huffing and puffing on their blue light specials to begin with, i figure if you had any fitness you shoulda only seen those people at the start line.

but really, its a charity event, i guess its good youre more thankful youre able to buy yourself nice stuff, but more power to all the people out there cause that arent jans former lieutenants, and just support the cause

Quoted post said:

Originally posted by fushman
ya i was gonna ask first off, why did you even see tho guys huffing and puffing on their blue light specials to begin with, i figure if you had any fitness you shoulda only seen those people at the start line.

Well, it would be rather convenient to get started with the 'fast riders' as some other events allow. Unfortunately however, there were multiple starting locations (some being 20mi or more down road), and the start at the location where I was lasted some 2 hours or so, with all the corporate teams being given a clear head start. As a result, with 13,000 riders, they stretch as far as the eye can see in either direction...all day long. Some of the most fit riders actually avoided the crowds by completing the second stage on the first day as well, but did not have the benefit of road closures and assorted support.

Yes, it was for a good cause, which is why I traveled 7 hours to participate, not to mention that I contributed a considerable sum to do so. Seeing people who were obviously stricken with MS cheering along the side of the road as I whizzed past them certainly provided inspiration.

Quoted post said:

Originally posted by Ted B
Well, it would be rather convenient to get started with the 'fast riders' as some other events allow. Unfortunately however, there were multiple starting locations (some being 20mi or more down road), and the start at the location where I was lasted some 2 hours or so, with all the corporate teams being given a clear head start. As a result, with 13,000 riders, they stretch as far as the eye can see in either direction...all day long.

Yes, it was for a good cause, which is why I traveled 7 hours to participate, not to mention that I contributed a considerable sum to do so. Seeing people who were obviously stricken with MS cheering along the side of the road as I whizzed past them certainly provided inspiration.

aight, sorry for judging you btw, i just wanted to be an ass and give you perspective, and i think you actually ended up doing that for me

NICE BIKE - YAY BIANCHI!!! 😄 ('02 Imola here)

That was a good, amusing write-up - thanks. I'll be attempting my first charity ride (50 miles) this June during the Colorado version of the Tour de Cure...

Hey hope you had fun. I've ridden with TeamBP for the last 3 years. Even though we leave from Tully Stadium first, by the time we hit the road there are thousands who have started 'unofficially' by just skipping the official start. This year when TeamBP left their building to go to Tully, me and 3 other riders left and started the ride. We left about 6:25 rather than the usual 7:15 from Tully, even though the official start is supposed to be 6:45. Even worse, those who start from Rhodes Stadium in Katy are 15 miles closer and they start at 6:35. The usual jam at the merge point for those who leave at Tully and Rhodes was not a problem and it was open roads with only the hardcore riders. We only stopped for a total of about 22 minutes at 2 rest stops and were in La Grange at 11:25. No lines for the showers and plenty of time to relax.

On day 2 you have to get up early and get lined up by about 5:45 for the 7:00 start so you can leave close to the front in the first group. Then when you go through the parks and hit the roller coasters you have only top riders again to contend with. You get in early and miss the lines at the showers again.

It's a great experience though is'nt it. Good luck next year.

Uh, ok, so you've got some fancy equipment, and others don't.

Quoted post said:

Originally posted by warpdrive
Uh, ok, so you've got some fancy equipment, and others don't.

Um, no. My 'fancy equipment' wouldn't be worth a damn if it was poorly maintained and didn't fit correctly, nevermind if my own physical condition was obviously questionable. No one with any sense would advise embarking on the same for a 180 mile ride.

There were free equipment/fit checks offered prior to the event, but judging from what I witnessed, many of those who would surely have benefitted from such a service conveniently skipped it.

Quoted post said:

Originally posted by davidbod
We left about 6:25 rather than the usual 7:15 from Tully, even though the official start is supposed to be 6:45...The usual jam at the merge point for those who leave at Tully and Rhodes was not a problem and it was open roads with only the hardcore riders. We only stopped for a total of about 22 minutes at 2 rest stops and were in La Grange at 11:25. No lines for the showers and plenty of time to relax.

Thanks David, that sounds like a solid plan. I will take your advice and apply it should I attend next year. As for my experience this year, while it was enjoyable, the crowds were HUGE, to the point of being unwieldly. While this is great for the cause, it tended to be just a bit too crowded for comfort.

Quoted post said:

Originally posted by Ted B
I recently made what is the largest (or one of the largest) benefit rides in the nation - The Houston -> Austin MS 150 (180 miles - ~290km). This two-day event draws some 13,000 riders out of the woodwork, and you can only imagine some of the things to be seen 'gracing' the roads. All it takes is a bit of a spirited pace, and you'll be rewarded with a virtual treasure of bewildering sights and sounds as you pass riders with aplomb....all day long.

First of all, there were some things to behold, such as a group of 'skateresque' men attempting to do it all on rollerblades, one guy on a unicycle, and a guy on one of these really old time bikes, you know with the huge front wheel and tiny rear wheel. I couldn't help but become concerned about them all as I descended into one long steep section where I reached some 41+mph.

Now, maybe I'm jaded because I've got a top pro-level setup, but I wouldn't be setting off to bike such a long distance with some of the equipment I saw any more than I would attempt to sail a long distance in a Haitian refugee boat. I saw load after load of 'junque', much if it adorned and amended with all sorts of add-on trinkets and gadgets, most of it being cumbersome and inefficient, as well as heavy. Compound all of this rolling salvage with the incredibly poor, inefficient fitting jobs, and no doubt the chiropractors and orthopaedists of Texas will be enjoying great windfalls. I saw terribly low seating positions, knees hanging in the wind, and I know damn good and well they all had sore butts...judging from the frequency of regular clothes being worn and the sold-out status for padded saddle covers I noticed (with much amusement) at the overnight stopping point.

And if the first 100 miles wasn't enough, I witnessed many if not most of them embarking for the more difficult (hilly) of the two course options on the second day (80 miles). While I hit the steep sections on the fly, downshifting to my 39X23 and diverting my attention from the difficulty of the effort by imagining myself on the slopes of Alpe D'Huez, I couldn't help but notice the droves of would be riders, trudging along on foot as they towed their 35lb scrap metal machines over each hill, catching their breath on the crests and making excuses to kill time by making a cell phone call. While I was rejoicing in the benefit of my pricey lightweight wheelset (Hyperons) I was having to shout "On Your Right!" with every breath (which undoubtedly adds to one's aerobic conditioning - try it sometime), while occasionally hearing a half-hearted plea for a 'tow rope' or something similar from a distressed rider.

On the descents, the combination of heavy frames, poor brakes and cheap tires resulted in a good few crashes...I witnessed two broken collarbones in the making on that day. Enough said.

It is because of such experiences that I say to all of thee who make great sacrifices for the sake of investing in quality hardware to enhance his own cycling experience as well as indirectly enhancing the same for all of those around him...

God Bless You!!

Ted,
That was a great write up! and by the way, the Bike with the Big wheel and little wheel is called a "Penny farthing" after the British Penny ( a large coin and Farthing, a liddle coin)...trivia for ya...

Anyway, my wife and I are going to do the SoCal MS150 in October, I'm looking forward to it...

Are there any tips you can offer?

Quoted post said:

Originally posted by Jaguar27
Ted,
That was a great write up! and by the way, the Bike with the Big wheel and little wheel is called a "Penny farthing" after the British Penny ( a large coin and Farthing, a liddle coin)...trivia for ya...

Anyway, my wife and I are going to do the SoCal MS150 in October, I'm looking forward to it...

Are there any tips you can offer?

are we reading the same write up? i thought he was mostly saying how he hates people who arent into cycling and only support the cause against ms. not even that well written stylisticlly

Quoted post said:

Originally posted by fushman
are we reading the same write up? i thought he was mostly saying how he hates people who arent into cycling and only support the cause against ms. not even that well written stylisticlly

Apparently not, I can't find the Post you're refering to....I was replying to Ted's post, I certainly couldn't find the word "hate" in it's content...or even anything close...

Actually, I appologize, maybe I should have been more explicit in my reply to Ted, I work for a Major Multi National Corporation in Southern California and this year I'm "events Director"...the SoCal MS150 is to be one of our major events, I've spoken to our local MS Chapter and they've been more than helpfull, however, as an avid Road Biker and Member of this Board, I thought I would take an opportunity to ask for any tips or advice from someone who has done it....

Our Goal is to raise/contribute at least $20,000 to the MS Society, it's a lofty goal (a long steep hill), so we need all the help we can get...any help or advice will be greatly appreciated.

Quoted post said:

Originally posted by Jaguar27
Apparently not, I can't find the Post you're refering to....I was replying to Ted's post, I certainly couldn't find the word "hate" in it's content...or even anything close...

Actually, I appologize, maybe I should have been more explicit in my reply to Ted, I work for a Major Multi National Corporation in Southern California and this year I'm "events Director"...the SoCal MS150 is to be one of our major events, I've spoken to our local MS Chapter and they've been more than helpfull, however, as an avid Road Biker and Member of this Board, I thought I would take an opportunity to ask for any tips or advice from someone who has done it....

Our Goal is to raise/contribute at least $20,000 to the MS Society, it's a lofty goal (a long steep hill), so we need all the help we can get...any help or advice will be greatly appreciated.

i suggest you dont be such a douche bag like ted and let the riff raff contribute if they want to, even if they arent all fitted out in team bianchi gear

Quoted post said:

Originally posted by Jaguar27
Ted,
That was a great write up! and by the way, the Bike with the Big wheel and little wheel is called a "Penny farthing" after the British Penny ( a large coin and Farthing, a liddle coin)...trivia for ya...

Anyway, my wife and I are going to do the SoCal MS150 in October, I'm looking forward to it...

Are there any tips you can offer?

Penny farthing eh? Hmmmm, that is a clever name.

Going to do an MS 150? I can definitely offer a few worthwhile pointers:

(1) IMO, the phrase, "The More, the Merrier", does not necessarily apply if the riding crowd exceeds maybe 8,000-10,000. If so, be prepared to wait in long lines to the toilets, food/beverage, and showers. Rest stops will be very crowded.

(2) In addition to having a proper bike fit and clothing suited for the long haul, be sure that your bikes don't have loose screws or other fasteners that will cause parts to fall off during the ride. I witnessed people losing everything from cleats to computers while on the road.

(3) Be on the lookout for road hazards. I saw a total of maybe two dozen dropped water bottles lying smack in the middle road, just waiting to cause a crash.

(4) PLEASE check your tires before the ride. I saw probably at least a hundred people waiting in lines to have tires/tubes changed at various points along the ride. The en-route bike repair guys were enjoying *plenty* of business during the ride, so if you have a problem, be prepared to wait in line.

(5) And finally, if you fumble a Hammer Gel, Gu, or similar, do not let it go unattended at the overnight stop. One lucky rider who fumbled a gel and smeared it all over her handlebars checked on her bike after a stop, only to find her handlebars serving as the backbone of a new bee colony. There must have been a thousand bees hanging from the handlebars of her parked bike! A local beekeeper had to be called in to resolve the problem. This is no joke! I hope one of my friends got a photo of that one...

If you do experience a problem, fortunately there should be some 'riff-raff' like myself in the vicinity, who is astute with a compact tool set, and can help you on the spot like I did for many grateful riders. 😄

Quoted post said:

Originally posted by Jaguar27
Our Goal is to raise/contribute at least $20,000 to the MS Society, it's a lofty goal (a long steep hill), so we need all the help we can get...any help or advice will be greatly appreciated.

Oh yes, and on fundraising....

I created a concise, friendly writeup which I emailed to everyone I knew and asked them to pass it along. I was sure to mention that even small donations were helpful, and that seemed to bring more donors out of the woodwork. Apparently my friendly donation request worked, as this 'douche bag' in Team Bianchi gear was able to generate about double his target amount.

If it helps you, here is a copy of my donation request email. Feel free to use any or all of it if you find it helpful, have your employees distribute theirs to everyone they know, and ask the recipients to pass it along as well:

Subject: 180 Miles of Pedaling for MS

Dear Friends & Family Members,

On Saturday and Sunday, April 17 - 18, 2004, I will be joining over 10,000 other cyclists riding 180 miles from Houston to Austin in the annual BP MS 150 Bike Tour. The tour is a charity fundraising event supporting the National MS Society's fight against multiple sclerosis. It's a 2-day ride, and it will be physically demanding.

I am asking each of you to contribute just a little something on my behalf to the National MS Society. Even $5 - $10 is great, and donations are tax deductable. By making a pledge, you are supporting MS research, programs and education, and you are also helping me achieve my fundraising goal.

You can use the following link to donate online in my name. You can "cut and paste" the below link into your web browser to go to the BP MS 150 site, where donating is fast, easy and secure. At the website you will be able to choose an amount to donate and make the donation immediately. I will be notified via email as soon as you make your pledge.

[They provide you with a fundraising page and a link]

Be sure to fill in my name and email address so I will get credit. If you would like more information about the tour and about MS, the site has a wealth of information. Thank you!

Sincerely,

Ted

Quoted post said:

Originally posted by Ted B
Penny farthing eh? Hmmmm, that is a clever name.

Going to do an MS 150? I can definitely offer a few worthwhile pointers:

(1) IMO, the phrase, "The More, the Merrier", does not necessarily apply if the riding crowd exceeds maybe 8,000-10,000. If so, be prepared to wait in long lines to the toilets, food/beverage, and showers. Rest stops will be very crowded.

(2) In addition to having a proper bike fit and clothing suited for the long haul, be sure that your bikes don't have loose screws or other fasteners that will cause parts to fall off during the ride. I witnessed people losing everything from cleats to computers while on the road.

(3) Be on the lookout for road hazards. I saw a total of maybe two dozen dropped water bottles lying smack in the middle road, just waiting to cause a crash.

(4) PLEASE check your tires before the ride. I saw probably at least a hundred people waiting in lines to have tires/tubes changed at various points along the ride. The en-route bike repair guys were enjoying *plenty* of business during the ride, so if you have a problem, be prepared to wait in line.

(5) And finally, if you fumble a Hammer Gel, Gu, or similar, do not let it go unattended at the overnight stop. One lucky rider who fumbled a gel and smeared it all over her handlebars checked on her bike after a stop, only to find her handlebars serving as the backbone of a new bee colony. There must have been a thousand bees hanging from the handlebars of her parked bike! A local beekeeper had to be called in to resolve the problem. This is no joke! I hope one of my friends got a photo of that one...


If you do experience a problem, fortunately there should be some 'riff-raff' like myself in the vicinity, who is astute with a compact tool set, and can help you on the spot like I did for many grateful riders. 😄

Hi Ted,
Thank you SO much for taking the time to write such a comprehensive reply full of great tips!

I would never have thought about the Gel/Goo had you not pointed it out.....

I'm really looking forward to it, I've hired a pro coach who is going to help everyone get ready for this worthy cause plus quite a few non riding (up untill now) Employees have said they're going out to buy Bikes to enable them to join us, so the benefits to them will far outlast the MS150!!

The fund-raising e-mail is also absolutely awesome, thanks for the permission to use it....I'll copy/ paste and make a few changes such as the date and location etc...we don't want anyone showing up 1500 miles away from the event...

Oh, and by the way, as far as the Penny Farthing thing goes, I don't want you to think I'm super smart, It's just that I'm British, so I'm SUPPOSED to know stuff like that 😉

Thanks again!!
Peter