Depends on your fitness level, and, more importantly, your comfort level on a road bike. There aren't many rides once June hits, but keep your eyes out, do the ones you can, and slowly increase the mileage you do as you get more comfortable (nearly all rides have short, medium, and long options - ranging from 20 miles to 80) Most anyone in reasonable shape can get through the MS150 (especially if there's a tailwind) - it's not as daunting as a marathon, you can hop off your bike every hour or so and hit a rest stop. Some people burn through the ride in a single day, some need sunup to sundown each day. The biggest issue with new riders isn't whether they get through, but if they understand how to ride in a large group. WAY too many people out there are clueless and inconsiderate - making it difficult to pass them, and not calling up as they pass others. Stay to the right, be aware of everyone around you.
anyone know if the bechtel challange route (hilly route day 2) is a lot harder than the other routes?
Did it last year by accident because I was just following the big crowds haha, it was hilly for sure but shouldn't be too hard considering the tailwinds we should be having. Sometimes it felt like uphill the entire way
Challenge route definitely lives up to its name - and like Donnymost mentioned, it can be very dangerous - you will hit a couple steep drops on a narrow road with a curve at the bottom. If alone, not a big deal - but you will be in a crowded pack all day each day, and too many folks drift from side to side or are riding their brakes downhill while over to the left. Also mentioned - the bypass is sucky. It isn't a flat ride itself, you will be riding with more of the (annoying) super-casual riders that don't observe proper riding etiquette (force you into traffic to pass them)....and you've got a busy highway of traffic buzzing by you - not the most relaxing way to go. My advice: keep a relaxed casual cadence the first 15 miles of the day, stop at the Park Entrance rest stop, and stretch and loosen up before tackling the park. It's actually the nicest rest stop on the MS150 course, IMO. When you hit the challenge course, the trick is all about using the full extent of your gears. Don't kill yourself - if you need to drop into the low gears of your small ring...DO IT. You shouldn't be straining your back and knees.
I'm riding as well. Challenge route is worth it. You get to go down the Smithville hill and the park is the best (and hardest) part of the ride.
thanks guys for the help, i guess the wet roads wont help the dangerous factor. Im a novice rider on a hybrid bike...i guess we'll decide when we get to that point...
I did the Challenge Route through the park, was the best part of the whole ride! The whole weekend was a great experience, i would recommend it to anyone...
