New Riders

new_riders

So you want to do the MS 150 or join the team, but you don't know where to start. Maybe you have been riding casually or haven't been on a bicycle since that first time you learned to ride. This guide is for those who are new to the team, cycling, or the MS 150.

Getting Started

Make sure you are familiar with safety on the bike and on the road. Take your bicycle to one of the local bicycle shops to get inspected. The MS 150 has a map of recommended bicycle shops here. After you are sure that your bicycle is safe, make sure that you are familiar with road safety. The League of American Bicyclists, in cooperation with the National MS Society, has created a course specifically for riding in groups called "Group Riding Skills". Visit the Safety page for more information

Rider Requirements

All new riders are required to complete a hands-on Group Riding Skills Training Course.

The MS 150

What to pack
With your overnight bag:
  • Luggage tag with your rider number (Provided with your MS 150 Packet)
  • Sleeping Bag (camping or team tent)
  • Pillow (camping or team tent)
  • Overnight Clothes
  • Toilettries
  • Medications
  • 2nd Jersey, Shorts, Socks
  • Optional: Recovery drink mix
  • Optional: Ear plugs
  • Optional: Eye covers
  • Optional: Small Flashlight
With you on your bike:
  • 2 water bottles
  • Sunscreen
  • Sun Glasses
  • Helmet
  • Gloves
  • Cell Phone (off)
  • MS 150 Rider Bib
  • Portable Bicycle Pump And/Or CO2 Pump
  • Spare Tube
  • Tire Boots
  • Small Multi-Tool
  • Additional Snacks (Examples: Gu, HammerGel, Pickles...)
  • Optional: Camel Pack or other large water storage device
  • Optional: Electrolyte Mix of your preference if the chosen mix by the MS Society is not your preferred or practiced mix.
Schedule
Day 1

You have multiple Houston options for starting the MS 150.

Start with the ExxonMobil Cycling Team - Addicks Park & Ride (Energy Corridor) to La Grange: 100 miles - Century Route fueled by CITGO. Other shorter options include:

  1. Royal High School to La Grange: 75 miles
  2. Bellville to La Grange: 50 miles

If you choose not to start with the ExxonMobil Cycling Team you will need to give your equipment to the National MS Society luggage trucks located at each of the start locations. Once you arrive at the fairgrounds you will need to go to the MS Society Pickup Location.

Local area motel rooms can be booked separately. EMCC does not provide hotel lodging. See the MS Society website for optiosn and bus transportation details. If you require a room for medical reasons we urge you to book a hotel/motel as soon as possible. Medical devices do not have guaranteed power in the team tent.

Day 2

You will have multiple options for getting from the Fairgrounds to the finish line in College Station. See the Texas MS 150 website for the latest route options and distances.

  1. Via FM 2145 - Carmine: 80.2 miles
  2. Via Texas 237 - Round Top: 77.8 miles