The ExxonMobil Cycling Team is ready to start training!

Training Ride Programs

The ExxonMobil Cycling Team is collaborating with the Chevron Cycling Team, and other area teams, to hold a training ride series.  This will allow team members to ride in larger groups to practice cycling skills and hopefully find someone that rides at your level.  The rides will be set up so that riders are separated by skill level and 'Ride Marshalls' will control the group and give cycling skill pointers.  The team organizing the ride will provide SAG support and light snacks.  Each ride will start with a safety briefing.

There will be no additional charge to our Team members and all members are encouraged to participate in as many of these rides as possible.  The training schedule is posted on our "Team Calendar" page.

Our Training Goals, in preparation for this year's MS 150, are:

January: "Get comfy with the saddle". Target distance between 20 and 45 miles

February: "Build endurance". Slowly build the ride distance between 30 to 60 miles, with possible moderate hills near the end

March: "Build strength and more endurance". Distance should be around 45 hilly miles, or 60 - 75 flat miles

April: "More strength while maintaining endurance". Distance of up to 75-80 miles of combined hills and flats

Please let us know if you would be willing to help out with a training ride as we need experienced riders to lead groups (serve as 'Ride Marshalls' for our training rides) and volunteers to provide Support and Gear (SAG) and help out with break points during the training rides.

MS 150 Recommended Rides

The MS 150 Recommended Rides schedule is well loaded this year.  All rides are also conveniently listed on our Team Calendar

Popular Cycling Routes in the Greater Houston Area

If you need some ideas for where to ride so that you can do some training on your own, here are some popular cycling routes in Houston. Click one of the links below for maps and driving directions to:

Bellville

Brookshire

Katy Mills - Fulshear

Magnolia

Montgomery Loops

Rider Training/Conditioning

In order to complete a two-day tour like the MS 150, you have to be in pretty good shape.  Even people who cycle regularly may not be able to complete a ride of this magnitude. It takes trainging and preparation to get ready.

If you are wondering how to get ready for the ride, the MS 150 group has a recommended Training Plan on its website.

If you want a more detailed plan, there are several on the web that will help you get ready for a Century, or 100 mile, ride.  Since that is basically what the first day of the MS 150 is, add some longer Sunday rides, and you will be getting ready!

All experienced riders know that training and conditioning is more than just accruing miles on the bike saddle.  You have to treat your body right to get to the finish line.   Hydration is very important to successful riding.  Most excercise experts recommend a minimum of 16 ounces of water per hour of riding.  You also need to get nutrition regularly during a ride.

Please review the MS 150 information regarding Hydration, Cycling Nutrition and Heat Acclimatization

Other Riding Opportunities

Team In Training®

Ready for a new challenge in 2010?  Do you want to get in shape, make new friends, travel the country, and support a great cause?  Join Team In Training as we head west to gorgeous Lake Tahoe for America’s Most Beautiful Bike ride on June 6.

Through Team In Training, the world’s largest endurance sports training program, participants receive a four month comprehensive training plan, experienced coaching along with FREE travel and accommodations to Lake Tahoe.  In return, participants help in the fight against leukemia, lymphoma and myeloma by raising funds to support blood cancer research, education and services for patients and their families.

This program is geared toward everyone from beginners to seasoned athletes!  If you are ready to make a difference this year, Team In Training is right for you!  To learn more and register for an information meeting, visit www.teamintraining.org/txg or call 713-680-8088.

Indoor Training - Spin Classes at Downtown YMCA
In past years the Downtown YMCA has allowed our members to participate in spin classes without being full members.  This has been a great benefit to several of our members.  The Y has reviewed there policies and have determine they are not being applied consistently.  Accordingly, there is a change this year.  They will offer each paid EM Cycling Team member a one-week guest pass.
After that, you would need to each join the YMCA as a facility member.  You would have the option of cancelling your membership after the MS150 if you no longer wish to use the facility - you will just need to provide a 10-day notice to cancel.  The Y is offering to waive the joining fee for our members.  Additionally, your Downtown YMCA membership gives you access to all Houston-area YMCAs, so you can train at the Y closest to your home. To obtain one of these one-week guest passes, which are only good for a short time period, you must contact Team Captain Eric Powell.

Last Updated:  17 January 2010

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