Wednesday, April 15, 2009

20 Great Rules for Riding the MS150

I'm not riding in the MS150 this year, but I still get cycling e-mails from my cycling friends. This one came this morning from Richard Chesney of the Woodland Cycling Club with 20 great rules to follow when riding in the MS150. For the most part, they're also a great primer on rules to follow when cycling in general.

1> Bring a little cash, if you had your bike inspected prior to this ride and you need mechanical assistance along the ride, you will not be charged labor if your bike has the official inspection sticker attached. Tips are always welcomed.

2> Be prepared to change your own flat and carry at least two tubes and a supply of CO2 inflator and cartridges (Wal-Mart 50cents each), I like to carry a small hand pump for backup.

3> Move your hands on your handle bars OFTEN, I know a few individuals who have long-term problems with their hands because they failed to change their hand position often during this ride.

4> Use Body Glide or Chamois Butt'r or another cream or lotion wherever you expect fabric and skin to rub. Do not wear underwear underneath your shorts.

5> Use sunscreen, a few years ago I was using sunscreen liberally all weekend, after arriving in Austin and showering I forgot to apply a new batch of sunscreen and gor REAL burnt in those few hours of sun in Austin.

6> Be prepared for whatever the weather may throw upon us. In prior years when the weather was cool in the morning but warmed up fast, I have witnessed many cyclist still wearing these multiple layers of clothing in the afternoon because they had no place to put these extra layers of clothing. I told them just make a donation at the next rest area.

7> Leave the headphones at home!!!!

8> Obey all traffic signs and signals.

9> Thank the volunteers and officers along the route for doing what they do.

10> Enjoy Fayetteville, TX and its citizens

11> Be careful thru Industry, TX

12> DO NOT CROSS THE SOLID YELLOW STRIPE IN THE CENTER OF THE LANE. We do not need any head-on collisions this weekend.

13> Pass on the LEFT only!!!!

14> Ride no more than two abreast

15> Allow riders to pass you on the left and stay in communication with those in front and beside you as to your moves.

16> Call out BOTTLES / HOLES / GRAVEL etc..........

17> Ride friendly, some of the small towns welcome us, while others do not want us there.

18> Most important - you most likely will not be the first to arrive in LaGrange or Austin or even the last, enjoy the ride and be careful

19> If you come up behind someone who's shorts might be "a little thin" - I will quickly pass the rider but let him know that he/she is showing a little too much crack (it will happen) if you know what I mean.

20> Along the route individuals with MS will be on the side of the road thanking you for riding - remember though, "Two days of pain - we are the lucky ones"


Best of luck to the riders this weekend. I wish I was with you. Next year...

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