Team Chronicle has been riding and supporting the MS 150 since 1999.
FAQ’s for the Houston Chronicle’s MS 150 Team
What is the MS 150®?
The BP MS 150 is a two-day bike tour from Houston to Austin benefiting the National Multiple Sclerosis Society. It is the largest MS 150® in the nation with 13,000 cyclists raising $13.5 million in 2007. The Tour starts at Tully Stadium and Rhodes Stadium in west Houston and travels about 180 miles to Austin, with an overnight stop in La Grange. There will be a third starting point this year, but we’re going to stay with our start at Rhodes stadium. There are breakpoints every eight to fifteen miles and a lunch stop at the midpoint of each day. There are approximately 2,500 volunteers who make this event possible. The BP MS 150 provides meals, water, support vans, police, medical and emergency services, shuttle bus services in La Grange, and transportation to and from Houston and Austin.
When is the 2008 BP MS 150?
The 2008 BP MS 150 will be held on April 12 & 13, 2008.
Why join Team Chronicle?
There are several benefits to join our team. The first and most important is that we like to have FUN! We also have several different levels. From beginners, intermediates to the advanced. Each year we have at least 15 brand new people that literally start from scratch.
FREE STUFF: A FREE jersey and a Tent to sleep in at La Grange! Just one simple rule for the free jersey … you have to ride in the event and raise the minimum pledge.
MASSAGE THERAPISTS available at our tent for $30 for a 30 minute massage, with times of 30, 45, or 60 minutes!
VOLUNTEERS to help us out and provide the tent with munchies and drinks.
TRAINING: Starting January 26th, there will be a training ride every weekend up to the event.
GROUP FUN!: From co-workers to friends, our team is filled with fun, health conscious people. PLUS, when you ride with a group it’s more motivating and plain easier! You are able to draft off of your teammates which makes it overall easier to ride!
TEAM WEBSITE: This year we’ll try to keep everybody up to date by posting information to a Team Chronicle web site, http://teamchronicle.wordpress.com
MEALS: we have some awesome volunteers that will prepare a VERY nice dinner AT OUR TENT Saturday, and a great breakfast on Sunday morning.
How do I register for the MS 150 and what is the registration fee?
If you haven’t … you can’t!
What is the minimum pledge?
The minimum pledge per rider is $400. Please note that the minimum pledge is due in May.
What are the items that are necessary to have when cycling?
Bike, helmet, gloves, water bottle, glasses, cycling shorts. And a GREAT ATTITUDE!!!
What other items should I consider?
A hydrating system like a camelbak, a cyclometer (measures speed and distance), power gels and cliff bars, clipless pedals and shoes.
Who can ride in the Tour? Are there age restrictions?
The BP MS 150 is a fun and accesible challenge for cyclists of all ages and abilities. Cyclists participate on mountain bikes, road bikes, hybrid bikes, recumbents, hand cranked bikes, unicycles. This year you won’t see the roller bladders, they are not allowed. If you are riding on a mountain bike, I’d recommend to purchase some “slick” tires.
Riders must be 10 years old in the year of the ride to participate and all riders under 18 must be accompanied by a guardian and must turn in a notarized parental waiver.
Where and when does the Tour start?
The ride starts at Tully Stadium on Dairy Ashford at I-10 West or Rhodes Stadium (this is where we’ve started the past 4 years) at 7:00 a.m. sharp. The gates open at 5:00 a.m. and riders are encouraged to arrive early. The four largest teams will start first so if you are riding on one of these four teams, please plan to arrive early and line up at the team start line with your other team members.
What is the route the cyclists will take?
The BP MS 150 is a one way Bike Tour from Houston to Austin. The ride starts at Tully Stadium or Rhodes Stadium and proceeds north to FM 529. Lunch is served in Bellville where the route picks up on 159 and heads into La Grange. The finish line this year is at the Texas State Capital in Austin!
How can I get a list of hotels for Saturday night?
Team Chronicle will stay in a large circus type tent, but if you’d like to do the hotel thing you can.
The best advice for getting a hotel room is to call as soon as possible. Most hotels in the La Grange and surrounding areas are booked a year in advance. Some hotels will put your name on a waiting list in case of cancellations. See the ms150.org website for details.
What are the overnight accommodations in La Grange on Saturday?
The BP MS 150 camps out at the Fayette County Fairgrounds on Saturday. Riders are welcome to sleep in our circus-size tent, so please bring a sleeping bag. You may also bring your own tent. Hint: wrap your sleeping bag and tent together and count it as one of the two permitted pieces of luggage.
How often are the stops?
Breakpoints are set up every 10 to 15 miles along the route. On Day One, there is a lunch stop in Bellville after about 50 miles. We stop overnight in La Grange after 98 miles and serve dinner and then breakfast. We will have dinner and breakfast at our tent again this year, thanks to Tracy Patrick, and a special thanks to her sister for the donation of the food! On Day Two, there is a lunch stop in Bastrop after 40 miles. The finish line is in Austin, about 80 miles from La Grange.
Do I have to wear a helmet?
Yes. All riders must wear a helmet on the MS 150 route. As a safety precaution, we suggest that riders also take their bikes to an official MS 150 bike store to be inspected before the tour.
How do I signal the Support And Gear (SAG) Wagons?
To signal Support And Gear vehicle drivers follow these three steps:
1. Off Road: Move out of the path of other riders.
2. Off Bike: Stand or sit nearby.
3. Wave Helmet: Let the SAG drivers know you aren’t just taking a breather.
Do I have to carry my overnight gear on my bike?
We will transport up to two pieces of luggage per rider to LaGrange on Saturday. Luggage must be tagged with the tags included in the Rider Packet. Each piece of luggage may not weigh more than 35 pounds. We will not transport the luggage on day two. We will take advantage of the MS luggage support on that day.
Do I need to bring food and drink with me?
Food and drinks will be available at each breakpoint and at lunch (breakpoints are spaced every 8 to 12 miles). However, be sure to bring a water bottle in a water bottle cage on your bike ( I carry two water bottles – one always with water, the other with a mix of Gatorade and water ), a hydration system such as a Camelbak, or both. Each rider wearing a 2008 BP MS 150 wristband is entitled to lunch and dinner on Saturday and breakfast, lunch and dinner on Sunday. Small items such as energy bars can be placed in jersey pockets while riding.
How do I get back to Houston on Sunday?
On Sunday, the tour offers passenger bus service from the finish line in Austin to Tully Stadium & Rhodes Stadium in Houston. This cost is not included and must be paid before the ride. You can do that at packet pick-up. They will transport you, luggage and bikes back to Houston.
How do I get my bike back to Houston on Sunday?
Bikes are carefully wrapped, padded and loaded onto our moving vans in Austin and are available for claim at the Tully Stadium Starting Line in Houston on Sunday. It’s important to remember to get all of your personal items off of the bike, before handing it over to be loaded onto the trucks.
Where do I leave my bike on Saturday night in La Grange?
You can secure your bike in a corral at the Fayette County Fairgrounds. As soon as you arrive on Saturday, take your bike to the Bike Compound where it will be safely stored until Sunday morning. You will need your wristband and rider number (bib) to retrieve your bike on Sunday morning. Tip: place a plastic bag over your bike seat or remove your bike seat to keep it dry during the night. Condensation can sometimes make your bike seat wet and uncomfortable.
We have been able to keep our bikes at our tent the last few years, we will have to see how crowded it is before suggesting you take it to the corral.
What transportation services are available on Saturday night in La Grange?
They offer shuttle busses to local hotels and camps as well as a Shower Shuttle to a local high school for those who plan to camp with us at the Fayette County Fairground.
Be a Champion against MS – and How do I sign up to be one?
The Champion against MS Program has become one of the most important links between BP MS 150 cyclists and people with Multiple Sclerosis. It is an excellent opportunity to put a face with MS! If you are a cyclist, it is an opportunity to ride for a person with MS. For many cyclists the Champions Program creates an extra motivation to reach the Finish Line. A bright red bandana, signed by your Champion, will accompany you throughout the Tour. You can sign up through your team captain to be a pedal partner.
Bike Inspection
Bikes should be mechanically inspected by a professional mechanic prior to the tour. The Official 2008 BP MS 150 Stores will inspect your bike free of charge and put an Official 2008 BP MS 150 Inspection Sticker on your bike. Inspections begin March 1st … I think! http://www.ms150.org/ms150/riding/official_bike_stores.cfm only. It is very important to have your bike inspected because it will make your ride safer and more enjoyable for you and those around you. If you need mechanical assistance during the Tour, there will be no labor charge if your bike has the 2008 inspection sticker from an Official MS 150 Bike Store.
Aggieland Cycling
817 Tx Avenue South
College Station
(979) 696-9490
Bay Area Schwinn
2049 South Richey
Pasadena
(713) 472-6651
Bay Area Schwinn
16864 Hwy 3
Webster
(281) 332-6433
Beaumont Bicycle Sports
2770 I-10 East
Beaumont
(409) 860-5959
Bicycle Sport Shop
10947 N. Research Blvd
Austin
(512) 345-7460
Bicycle Sport Shop
517 South Lamar
Austin
(512) 477-3472
Bicycle World and Fitness
851 Dairy Ashford Suite A
Houston
(281) 556-0923
Bicycle World of West U
2519 Rice Blvd
Houston
(713) 529-0140
Bike Barn
617 Mason Rd
Katy
(281) 492-7433
Bike Barn
7083 Hwy 6 North
Houston
(281) 463-2200
Bike Barn
2422-B Bay Area Blvd
Houston
(281) 480-9100
Bike Barn
12118 Westheimer
Houston
(281) 558-2234
Bike Barn
6135 FM 1960 West
Houston
(281) 440-3555
Bike Barn
5925 Kirby Drive
Houston
(713) 529-9002
Bike Lane
376 FM 1960 West
Houston
(281) 440-6100
Bike Resource
4747 Research Forrest Drive
The Woodlands
(281) 367-9495
Bike Route
2633 Town Center Blvd
Sugar Land
(281) 265-3900
Bike Werks
4554 Kingwood Drive
Kingwood
(281) 361-7171
Lone Star Bicycles
26084 NW Freeway
Cypress
(281) 256-2400
Northwest Cyclery
17458 NW Freeway
Houston
(713) 466-1240
Nelo’s Pro Cycles
3010 West Anderson Ln Ste H
Austin
(512) 338-0505
Pearland Cycles
2205 North Main Street
Pearland
(281) 485-6874
Southwest Schwinn
6607 South Braeswood
Houston
(713) 777-5333
Spring Valley Bicycles
9414 Gaylord
Houston
(713) 464-8277
Sun & Ski Sports
6100 Westheimer # 126
Houston
(713) 783-8180
Sun & Ski Sports
900 Gessner # 612
Houston
(713) 464-6363
Sun & Ski Sports
5503 FM 1960 West
Houston
(281) 537-0928
Sun & Ski Sports
1355 West Bay Area Blvd
Houston
(281) 316-1365
Sun & Ski Sports
5000 Katy Mills Circle #505
Katy
(281) 644-6040
Sun & Ski Sports
2438 West Anderson Ln
Austin
(512) 467-2782
West End Bicycles
5427 Blossom
Houston
(713) 861-2271
