Good morning everyone. Posting to let everyone know the MS150 is two weeks away in April 29-30. This is the second year we'll finish in BCS and last year was a ton of fun for the riders. I talked to riders all along the route last year and all were excited about finishing in Kyle Field and comments afterwards were about how good a job A&M did with the finish, seeing themselves on the Jumbotron, etc.
There have been some minor changes this year designed to boost participation but the route itself into BCS is unchanged. The changes have to do with adding a 50 mile route on Saturday into La Grange from both Houston (actually Bellville) and Austin (Webberville). Then on Sunday they're apparently going to bus some riders from La Grange to Burton for a shorter route to BCS. Those changes will hopefully draw in some people that have figured out they want to participate but that 80+ miles on back to back days is a whole lot of cycling.
The start from La Grange is at 645 and it's 80 miles so I'd expect riders into the area by noon give or take. That's four hours and a pace for about a 5 hour finish. I maintain a good but not great pace and last year I started Sunday at 730 and finished in 6 hours or so.
Quick reminder on the course in town.
- We'll enter on 60 from Snook. Last year they had the right lane of eastbound 60 blocked for us so I'd expect the same this year.
- We'll exit 60 at Easterwood and turn left towards Traditions. This could impact you if you're coming into town on 47. I THINK last year 47 was closed onto eastbound University and they were forcing folks to go to the right turn onto westbound University. If you're coming in from 21 on 47 that day I'd turn onto Villa Maria and avoid the 47/60 interchange.
- We'll turn right onto F&B and cross 2818 on our way to Agronomy. Riders will be more or less single file and there will be thousands of us from probably 12-3 pm. the officers are told to try and prioritize riders all along the route so expect delays here.
- A right turn onto Agronomy to the next choke point at University which will look a lot like 2818/Agronomy.
- From University the pace will slow down as we go to Albritton Tower then under Wellborn, between the A&M Hotel and MSC and into Aggie Park. No Kyle Field finish this year due to construction.
I'd be remiss if I didn't mention this is a massive fundraiser with a goal of $10m this year. Riders actually have to raise $400 by ride day to even start the ride and that's in addition to the $100 registration fee. To that end if you feel so compelled to help a rider raise some money I'd ask that you donate to an American hero doing his first MS150 this year.
Ray Lake is a retired Army Green Beret that I met in January at a Veterans event on campus. He'd never been to the area and after a week here for the event he fell in love with it and now says he wants to move here and use the rest of his GI Bill money to further his education and become an Aggie.
Ray's fundraiser can be found on Facebook
https://www.facebook.com/donate/513855294260169
My clients have been more than generous and I'm well past my goal already so again if you'd like to help out please donate to Ray.
It seems like most everyone knows someone with MS and I personally have two family members with it. Part of the fun factor is that riders ride in honor of someone with MS. That person signs an event provided bandana and we give it back to them when it's over. This year I'm riding for Shamika Sorrells who is a Dallas Rapid Transit Police Officer whose had it for 8 years. Ray will be riding for my sister, Tiffany Lamb.
Thanks everyone. I know this thing can be annoying for drivers but it's only a few hours and the route is pretty easy to avoid with some planning. Be patient and give us some space. We'll be finished by probably 4 on Sunday.
There have been some minor changes this year designed to boost participation but the route itself into BCS is unchanged. The changes have to do with adding a 50 mile route on Saturday into La Grange from both Houston (actually Bellville) and Austin (Webberville). Then on Sunday they're apparently going to bus some riders from La Grange to Burton for a shorter route to BCS. Those changes will hopefully draw in some people that have figured out they want to participate but that 80+ miles on back to back days is a whole lot of cycling.
The start from La Grange is at 645 and it's 80 miles so I'd expect riders into the area by noon give or take. That's four hours and a pace for about a 5 hour finish. I maintain a good but not great pace and last year I started Sunday at 730 and finished in 6 hours or so.
Quick reminder on the course in town.
- We'll enter on 60 from Snook. Last year they had the right lane of eastbound 60 blocked for us so I'd expect the same this year.
- We'll exit 60 at Easterwood and turn left towards Traditions. This could impact you if you're coming into town on 47. I THINK last year 47 was closed onto eastbound University and they were forcing folks to go to the right turn onto westbound University. If you're coming in from 21 on 47 that day I'd turn onto Villa Maria and avoid the 47/60 interchange.
- We'll turn right onto F&B and cross 2818 on our way to Agronomy. Riders will be more or less single file and there will be thousands of us from probably 12-3 pm. the officers are told to try and prioritize riders all along the route so expect delays here.
- A right turn onto Agronomy to the next choke point at University which will look a lot like 2818/Agronomy.
- From University the pace will slow down as we go to Albritton Tower then under Wellborn, between the A&M Hotel and MSC and into Aggie Park. No Kyle Field finish this year due to construction.
I'd be remiss if I didn't mention this is a massive fundraiser with a goal of $10m this year. Riders actually have to raise $400 by ride day to even start the ride and that's in addition to the $100 registration fee. To that end if you feel so compelled to help a rider raise some money I'd ask that you donate to an American hero doing his first MS150 this year.
Ray Lake is a retired Army Green Beret that I met in January at a Veterans event on campus. He'd never been to the area and after a week here for the event he fell in love with it and now says he wants to move here and use the rest of his GI Bill money to further his education and become an Aggie.
Ray's fundraiser can be found on Facebook
https://www.facebook.com/donate/513855294260169
My clients have been more than generous and I'm well past my goal already so again if you'd like to help out please donate to Ray.
It seems like most everyone knows someone with MS and I personally have two family members with it. Part of the fun factor is that riders ride in honor of someone with MS. That person signs an event provided bandana and we give it back to them when it's over. This year I'm riding for Shamika Sorrells who is a Dallas Rapid Transit Police Officer whose had it for 8 years. Ray will be riding for my sister, Tiffany Lamb.
Thanks everyone. I know this thing can be annoying for drivers but it's only a few hours and the route is pretty easy to avoid with some planning. Be patient and give us some space. We'll be finished by probably 4 on Sunday.
The federal government was never meant to be this powerful.
