I decided not to get a road bike just for the MS150, so I converted my geared hardtail just for that ride. It looks kinda funny, but it works. I noticed I'm much faster now that I'm rolling on road slicks, and lowered and locked the fork down.

I figured I'll use my singlespeed as my primary mtb bike for now.

You can check out my gallery to see the 'before' pics of this bike.

Any tips from anyone who's done the MS before? This is my first time riding it and I just hope to make it through the first day with enough energy to make it to Austin on the second day. I think our team has a tent, but I'm not too keen on sleeping on the ground in a sleeping bag. I might have to spring for an air mattress or sumthin'. ;)

Now I just need to find some groups to do my training rides with. :D

It is an EXTREMELY easy ride, I was surprised just how easy, before I did it when I was 12 I had only ridden about 15 miles before. If you mtb regularly it should be no problem, But the best way to do it IMHO is to only stop at 1 rest stop each day but take a couple little brakes throughout the day, the rest stops get really crowded and it can take up to 20 mins at each one. Also you will arrive before alot of other people that way so you wont have to stand in line for 2 hours to have a shower.

Also remember that 95% of the poeple riding it are afraid to roll over a 1 mm twig and they will quite happily swerve around it without looking, and alot of them have no clue how to ride in a pack, so it can be quite dangerous. And last year some people spread tacks all acroos the road at one point causing a few wrecks. Be carefull and have fun! I will now get off my soap box :)

but not really hard either.

Some simple math might help you grasp what you are up against. When I go for a mtb ride it's usually a 9-12 miles loop, if I have extra time or I'm feeling frisky I'll do another loop. So say 20 miles. What is the most in mileage you have ridden in one day? Go out this weekend and put in your max mileage, go home and sleep on the floor, or out in the yard, and then wake up early and do it again! :)

When I started riding road I found that what used to be a decent heart pumping rate on the MTB was now a pretty relaxing taking it easy kind of pace.

Any way you slice it, it's 180 miles over 2 days, after $hitty sleep on day 1.

I love these MS150 tours because I have the badder control of an 8 year old girl and I love to eat! 2 days of back to back riding stopping every 10 miles to take a piss and get something to eat! What could be better?! ;)

Good luck.

Just make sure you train your butt off. Like TnTaylor said...it is NOT an easy ride, especially on a mountain bike. Make sure you hydrate properly, and you eat enough. This shouldn't be a problem with all the rest stops they offer along the way.

Beware of stupid people who don't know the rules of group riding. Last year, I decided to pass a woman on a cruiser bike. I said "On your left," and began to pass. Well, she decides to swerve sharply to her left, which put both of us on the ground. If I had the power to DQ her from the ride, I would have done it in a heart beat.

Yea it feels hard during it but after i still wanted to ride some more. And try to make freinds with someone that has a huge rv, makes sleeping really nice.