2021 MS150 1st May - Houston / Austin to College Station

GENERAL RIDE INFO

What are the dates for the 2025 Texas MS150?

• Saturday, April 27^th and Sunday, April 28^th.

Why should I ride the Texas MS150 with SCC?

• We provide companionship and support along the ride.
• We provide food, refreshments, and a covered place to store your bike in La Grange.
• We have our lunch food at the finish.
• We take care of our riders!

What are the basic requirements for riding the Texas MS150 with SCC?

• You MUST have completed a GRS course within the last three years.
• You MUST raise at least $400 for the National MS Society (SCC encourages a goal of $1,000/rider)
• You MUST earn two volunteer points during the season to support club activities. Volunteers run our club. If you cannot volunteer, you can have others volunteer for you, such as a significant other, sibling, parent, friend, neighbor, etc.
• You MUST complete your safe cycling quiz on the Texas MS150 website.

How do I train for the MS150?

• Attend a GRS course as early as possible. If you are new to cycling, the earlier in the season, the better, as you will use the information you learn during this course throughout your training.
• Participate in weekly club rides and other suggested rides.
• Weekday training is recommended two to three times during the week (on your bike, on an indoor trainer or stationary bike, in a spin class, or other aerobic exercise).

What is involved in the SCC Texas MS150 training program?

• Our Texas MS150 training season consists of weekly club rides every Saturday from the first Saturday in January until the Texas MS150 weekend. A few weeks before the Texas MS150, the club hosts a weekend campout at Lake Sommerville, where we ride on Saturday and Sunday. Depending on the year, we have at least 14 to 15 club rides to prepare you.

How do I meet the fundraising minimum?

• Use the Texas MS150 Participant Center to email friends, relatives, and co-workers for donations—no amount is too small.
• Use social media to your advantage.
• Talk to our Fundraising Coordinator for other ideas.

I signed up for the Texas MS150, but I won't be able to make it. Can I cancel my registration?

• You can cancel your registration online via your MS150 member’s profile. However, you will forfeit your registration fee. Your SCC membership will not be refunded as you are still a club member even if you don’t ride the Texas MS150. You are liable to meet your minimum pledge if you do not cancel your Texas MS150 registration.

SCC RIDE LOGISTICS

Packet Pickup

• Everyone is responsible for picking up their rider packet from the National MS Society—review dates and locations on their website.

What should I bring?

• Try to pack in one or two bags.
• A sleeping bag and pillow.
• An inflatable mattress, foam pad, or folding cot.
• A ground tarp large enough to have your inflatable mattress, foam pad, or folding cot on and still have room for your luggage. When you wake up, the ground will be wet, and you do not want to get your socks wet before starting day 2.
• Toiletries (shampoo, conditioner, and soap) and a towel for the shower trucks in La Grange and College Station. I recommend using a shower caddy to put everything, including your clothes, in when you go to the shower trucks. Shower shoes or flip-flops are highly recommended.
• Fresh clothes and regular shoes for Saturday night in La Grange.
• Charger for your cell phone, lights, bike computer, etc.
• Riding attire for Sunday (shorts, jersey, and new socks).
• Fresh clothes and regular shoes to change into when you finish in College Station.
• Texas weather changes every time you blink. Be sure to check the forecast and bring what you may need: a rain jacket, arm/leg warmers, foot covers, and Ziplock bags to keep your phone from getting wet.
• You should bring earplugs for sleeping. Remember that you will be sleeping with around 100 of your closest friends in the Team tent.
• Nasal strips if you are prone to snoring. Please be kind to your teammates if you snore.
• Complete emergency information on the back of your rider number.
• Mark bags with your name and rider number.

SCC Start Location

• SCC no longer has an offsite start location. We will start at METRO’s Addicks Park & Ride. Please arrive between 5:00 a.m and 5:30 a.m. This is necessary to allow plenty of time to get everything and everyone ready. There will be many people, and you do not want to be stuck in traffic. Our team truck will be parked closest to the IH-10 frontage road.

Other Ride Start Locations

• If you are starting from a different location, email someone so we know where you are beginning. The Texas MS150 offers several starting locations on Saturday: Royal High School, Bellville High School, the Texas State Capital, and Webberville Park. These locations provide a shorter distance on Day 1. 
• If you start at a different start location, you may drop off your luggage at the team truck. Our truck will leave the park & ride by 6:00 a.m. to avoid traffic, allowing plenty of time to get to LaGrange. 
• You may also put your bags on the MS Society’s Luggage Transport. They will take your luggage to a central drop location at the La Grange Fairgrounds. You must haul your bag(s) to the SCC tent if you utilize the MS Society’s trucks. That could be a hassle for you, but it's your choice. You will ONLY be allowed two pieces of luggage UNDER 25 pounds each on the MS Society’s Luggage Transport. This includes your cot.

Start Timeline

• 5:00 - 6:00: Arrive at the Addicks Park & Ride early to get those jitters out. Load your luggage in the Team Truck. Do your ABC quick check. Make sure your tires are adequately aired.
• 6:00: Team photo at the Team Truck.
• 6:15: Line up in the corral. The earlier you line up, the closer you are to leaving first.
• Once it is safe, the Ride Marshals and Police Officers will let waves of around 100 riders leave between 6:30 a.m. and 6:45 a.m.

RIDE WEEKEND

SCC Provisions

• In LaGrange, we will have a Team tent to sleep in, private port-a-lets, food, drink, and private massage therapists.
• In College Station, we will have a private tent with food and drinks along the chute. This allows your friends and family to hang out at the Team tent and cheer you on as you finish Day 2.
• Mechanical support in La Grange.
• Transport your bags directly to the SCC tent in LaGrange on Saturday and to the luggage corral in College Station on Sunday.

What kind of sleeping accommodations can we expect in LaGrange?

• We have a large team tent. Riders provide their own sleeping bags, air mattresses, or cots.

Is transportation back provided for riders and bikes returning from College Station?

While SCC does not provide transportation back to Houston, a few options exist.

• Personal ride back with family or friends.
• MS Society’s bus transport. To reserve your seat, purchase bus transportation from College Station to your start location (including bike transportation). Last year, tickets were $40 online before the ride and $60 on-site.
• Have someone follow you to College Station on Friday to park your vehicle in Lot 62 so you can drive back with your bike on Sunday. Of course, they will need to drive you back to your house, and you will need transportation to your starting location.

How much will the massage cost (or how much was it last year)?

• A 30-minute massage costs $50. Please tip. After riding from Houston to La Grange, it’s the best money you’ll ever spend.