MS-150 Packet Picked Up & Ready To Roll April 16 & 17Packet

MS 150 rider packet and goody bag

Went to Memorial Park and got my rider packet for next weekends MS-150 ride.  This year with Houston's petroeconomy in the tank raising the required $400 minimum was much harder.  I also heard ridership will be down to about 11,000 riders.  I''m looking forward to seeing if I notice a difference on the roads with less riders.  Also with the Waller County Sheriff announcing his deputies won't support the ride, and his new zeal for ticketing cyclists, it could make that part of day 1 interesting.  I'm not going to mention his penchant for losing machine guns or the very tragic death of Sandra Bland in his jail.

Waller Sheriff ready for the MS 150

Route map

BPMS150 Bike Inspections Free Until April 8th

If you are riding in the BPMS 150 ride this year, now is the time to get your bike inspected.  Inspections are free until April 8th at all official MS 150 Bike Shops.  After April 8th the inspections are $15.  Once your bike passes inspection they will put a sticker on your stem and the sticker entitles you to free labor on any repairs you may need during the ride.  Last year I didn't get an inspection and when the cleat came off my shoe a guy working a repair booth screwed it back in at no charge.  So I'm not sure how important the sticker is, but if you have some free time, why not get the bike looked at for free?

Yesterday I got my inspection at the shop where I bought my bike The Bike Route in Sugarland.  When I dropped it off I told them the derailleur was missing every once in a while when shifting and they went ahead and fixed it.  I have to admit I cringed a bit when paying $15 for them to tighten a cable I could have done myself.  But after riding today, my bike is so damn quiet and smooth, I would say it purrs but that's too loud.  It feels like a brand new bike again.  Greg at Bike Route does some damn good work and sometimes you do get what you pay for!  So get your inspection and hopefully enjoy a smooth ride.