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Each year, we have 5,000 to 7,000 new participants join the BP MS 150. This means we have a great mix of riders with different experience and skill levels on the road together. To help ensure that everyone has a great ride and arrives safely at the finish line in Austin, together we’re creating a culture of safety for the BP MS 150.

• For Riders – we want to ensure everyone has a great ride and arrives safely at the finish line in Austin
• For Teams – enhance the image of your team (company) among the ride participants and the communities that support us along the way
• For the BP MS 150 – it advances the mission of the National MS Society, attracts and retains more fundraisers, and increases the event’s reputation within our communities

Developing a strong culture of safety will have the single greatest effect on ensuring that everyone arrives safe and happy.   Organizations with a strong safety culture typically experience fewer at-risk behaviors; consequently, they also experience low accident rates.

A culture of safety is a shared value and belief among all participants that the primary goal is ensuring that everyone makes it home safely every day. It’s a culture in which the existence of risk is acknowledged and injury prevention is recognized as everyone's responsibility.

A strong culture of safety can help minimize risks and errors that lead to injuries. The constantly changing environment in which we ride requires a proactive approach to safety, with commitment that extends to all involved, riders, volunteers and staff.

• Safety Week - Day 1 (Jan 24): Safe Cycling Challenge - Accept the Challenge
  

  Welcome to BP MS 150 Safety Awareness Week.  We’ll share information and resources each day as we build a culture of safety in our communities. We’ll also share what to expect during the BP MS 150 and suggest a cycling skill to practice this weekend.

  A safe, confident cyclist is knowledgeable in road rules and cycling etiquette, has the proper equipment and is prepared physically to cycle, and is experienced riding in groups when participating in events such as the BP MS 150.

  Today, we’ll introduce you to our Safe Cycling Challenge.  This online tool contains safety-related questions to give you a good idea of how prepared you are to make a positive contribution to our culture of safety.  If you miss a question, you will have the opportunity to learn the most appropriate response or action.  Is there a passing grade required – need to confirm!

  We encourage you to be knowledgeable in road rules and cycling etiquette early in the training season. Doing so will help you have a positive experience preparing for the BP MS 150 and participating in our 2011 Recommended Rides.

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• Safety Week - Day 2 (Jan 25): Etiquette + Group Riding Skills

  Cyclists need to have basic bike-handling skills and safety knowledge to keep themselves and others around them safe, especially while participating in group cycling activities like the BP MS 150.

  It is important that all riders -- veteran or new -- understand the courtesies involved with a ride of this size. Know and practice these helpful safety ideas to make your ride more enjoyable.

  The Basics of Riding in a Group

  Cycling in a group places added responsibilities on each cyclist, so all must understand and practice the principles of group riding. To ride safely in a group, you should first be familiar with the techniques for riding predictably, on public roadways, as an individual – skills such as proper lane positioning and emergency bike handling.   You can learn these skills in the Group Riding Skills course and develop them on Recommended Rides.

  • No matter what your pace is, do not be in a hurry at the start. This is a ride, not a race.
  • Be aware of others around you. Ride with your head up. Know what’s happening in front, behind and all around you.
  • Use gestures and verbal commands to alert others around you of your intentions, and call out hazards around you. Know the lingo.
  • Know your bike-handling limits. Recognize and respond appropriately to situations beyond your skill level. Don’t ride closely to others who are unfamiliar to you..
  • Passing on a bicycle is a two-way event. The passer and the passee both have responsibilities that will make the pass safe and friendly. The passers have the responsibility to ease up as they approach and wait for safe conditions to pass. The passees have the responsibility to listen, hold a steady speed and line, and go to single file to make room for the passers to get around.
  • Common group riding mistakes include riding in pacelines when you are inexperienced with the general process, overlapping the wheel of the rider in front of you, riding more than two abreast and crossing over the center stripe.

  Enjoy the BP MS 150 ride. Remember: this is a fundraiser to help persons living with MS, not a race.

  Cycling Etiquette

  When you are riding with many others, there are cycling customs and etiquette points we all must follow:

  • Riding safely in big groups requires a mature, positive frame of mind. Always be a smart, safe rider.
  • Riding safely in group rides requires communicating with others around you. Check out our tips. – HYPERLINK TO Vocal Warnings.
  • Maintain your personal space, avoiding proximity to other bikes.
  • Avoid sudden sideways movements; be predictable and always hold your line.
  • Be considerate of slower and faster riders.
  • Be careful, signal and let others know when you’re slowing or stopping.
  • Passing and being passed is a critical skill. Please review these passing tips.

  The bottom line is to ride friendly and respect the communities that welcome us on ride weekend.

  Good Neighbor Policy

  We are all ambassadors for safe cycling and the National MS Society as we travel along the roadways and through various communities along the way. This includes club training rides, Recommended Rides and, of course, the BP MS 150.

  Be especially considerate of our friends and neighbors who are gracious enough to share this special route with us.  Among other things, this means carpooling to ride locations, parking considerately, and letting residents get to and from their homes along the route. This also means you should use proper restroom facilities provided along the way and not the shrubs. Remember to treat others and their property with respect.

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• Safety Week - Day 3 (Jan 26): Bikes, Gear, Nutrition & Hydration

  All cyclists are responsible for keeping their riding equipment in good working order. Safety, comfort and performance are all determined through proper equipment, so please take this seriously.  The BP MS 150 is a long-distance fundraising ride of up to 182 miles on a paved surface.  To successfully complete your journey, you need the right equipment.  If you have any questions or concerns, visit your local Official Bike Store to discuss your needs; Bike Store personnel have experience that is specific to this ride and have worked with thousands of riders.

  Get Your Bike Properly Fitted

  Being fitted to your bike is just as important to your comfort as having the right kind of bike.  It should be appropriately sized for you.  The saddle, stem and handlebars should also be properly adjusted.  All Official Bike Stores offer bike fitting.
  
  

  Helmets

  Helmets are designed to prevent serious head injury.  A serious fall or crash can cause permanent brain damage or death.  Bike crashes or collisions can happen at any time, so ALWAYS WEAR A PROPERLY FITTED, DAMAGE-FREE HELMET. Adjust your helmet in six easy steps or consult with your local Bike Store if you need support:
  
  

  Cycling Shoes

  Use cycling shoes for comfort and performance.  Cycling shoes have stiff soles to prevent foot flex and fatigue.  Special cleats lock into pedals, keeping the shoes from slipping and adding increased cycling efficiency.  Shoe straps and/or buckles allow tightness adjustment in case of foot swelling on long rides.
  
  

  Cycling Shorts

  Use padded cycling shorts with a high-quality chamois.  In addition to providing comfort and performance, they are breathable, lightweight, stay dry to inhibit bacteria growth, and reduce pressure points and chaffing.
  
  

  Cycling Eyewear and Gloves

  Proper eyewear is important to protect your eyes and field of vision from airborne objects discharged by a cyclist in front of you or by a nearby vehicle.  Cycling gloves will keep your hands warm during cold weather and will protect your hands in the event of a crash.
  
  

  Cold Weather Gear

  If you’ve never cycled in cold weather before, you will be surprised at how warm you will get!  Cycling is an aerobic activity, which means that your body will produce heat more than walking.  Most first-time cold-weather cyclists find that they have overdressed and are too hot.
  
  

  It's more than likely that you already have clothes that will work for your legs and torso.  Your extremities – hands, feet and head -- are the most challenging to keep warm and may require something extra. Read these Cold Weather Gear tips.

  Listen to Your Bike

  Unusual sounds – such as squeaks, popping, grinding, creaking or rattling – are warning signs of a problem and should be inspected.  A complete overhaul is recommended annually.  Official Bike Stores offer free, professional inspections, along with estimates on routine maintenance or repairs for your bike.
  
  Know how to check your bike quickly before each ride to ensure it will get you to the finish smoothly. Learn how to do an ABC Quick Check here.
  
  

  Nutrition, Hydration and Heat Acclimatization

  Do you “bonk” or completely run out of steam prior to finishing a ride?  Do you feel “blah” the day after a ride?  Know your cycling HYDRATION and NUTRITION needs.
  There is always a good chance we will ride in warm weather in April. Do you see drastically different results when riding in the heat?

  • Heat acclimatization or adaptation is the single most important thing you can do to avoid dehydration problems during the ride.
  • It takes 10-14 days of daily heat exposure while exercising to acclimatize.

  Are you aware that the body efficiently adapts when properly exposed to heat while exercising?  Test your cycling acclimatization knowledge.

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• Safety Week - Day 4 (Jan 27): The Big Weekend: What to Expect
  At the Start

  Regardless of where you choose to start, you must expect a lot of riders. Most choose to start the ride from one of the three official Start locations:

  Tully Stadium (98 miles to La Grange)
  Rhodes Stadium (76 miles to La Grange)
  Waller Stadium (56 miles to La Grange)

  A number of teams choose to start from off-site locations.  This is acceptable; however, be aware that if you choose to start your ride before the official start time, there will be no support on the route. In addition, if you choose to start from a location that is off the route, you will be unsupported until you join the regular route; for example, there will be no police at intersections and no SAG vans. As bicycles are vehicles, you must obey all traffic laws unless otherwise instructed by a law enforcement officer. If you are not on the BP MS 150 route, there will be no law enforcement officers, so you will be expected to stop at all red lights and stop signs.

  Regardless of where you choose to start, be sure to arrive early so you will have plenty of time to get your gear ready for the day ahead. You should be well-hydrated, as you will have been hydrating during the week leading up to the ride. If you are at one of the official start locations, drop off your luggage (properly tagged) at the designated luggage drop-off area.  If you need to top off your water, there will be hydration stations set up at the start. Official Bike Stores will be on-hand to help with any last-minute adjustments your bike might need (make sure you get your bike inspected before the ride), or can supply you with any gear you might be missing and need to purchase.

  On the Route

  There will be lots of riders and there will be times when you will need to slow down because of congestion. If this occurs, be patient and allow the traffic to open up again. Always ride to the right, preferable in single file; this will allow faster riders to pass you safely. If you are a faster rider, please be sure to call out as you approach riders you intend to pass, then give them time to safely move over, if necessary, and then pass safely. Do not fan out across the entire lane and definitely do not cross the yellow line to pass riders.  It is legal to ride two abreast on Texas roads; however, during the BP MS 150, you are safer riding in single file, so faster riders can safely pass slower ones.

  Follow the instructions of Ride Marshals and other officials along the route. They are there to help keep you safe. If you have any problems along the way, safely pull off the road (calling out as you slow and stop).  Pull COMPLETELY off the road (do not stand on the shoulder, as there will be riders there) and, if necessary and safe to do so, even into the grass. If you need assistance, be sure to remove your helmet and wave it at passing Motorcycle Marshals, Ride Marshals or SAG vehicle personnel who will patrol the route.  If you are stopping to take a break, be prepared to respond when passing riders and officials ask if you are OK; they are watching out for you and your well-being. A “thumbs-up” gesture works well in communicating that you are taking a break and do not require assistance.

  Cell Phones

  For your safety and the safety of your fellow participants, do NOT keep your cell phone on during the ride. You can always turn it on and check for messages when you safely stop to take a break. Be aware that cell towers along the route can get overwhelmed by the demand on ride weekend; also, as signals are difficult to obtain during the ride, your battery will last much longer if you keep your phone off while on your bike. REMEMBER: NEVER ANSWER OR USE YOUR CELL PHONE WHILE RIDING!  If you need to use your phone, you must pull safely and completely off the road before taking or making a call. You will be reminded by Ride Marshals and other officials of this if you are seen talking on the phone while riding. It is not safe, so consider your safety and those around you by refraining from using your phone while riding.

  Breakpoints

  If you choose to stop at one of the many well-appointed breakpoints along the route, please be sure to follow the instructions of the breakpoint volunteers who will direct bike traffic in and out. DO NOT STOP ON THE ROAD. Be sure to call out to other riders that you are slowing and planning to stop. Pull all the way off the road and into the breakpoint area before stopping your bike. Look around you as you stop, so as not to cause a crash. Leave your bike in the designated bike area, then enjoy the wonderful snacks provided by our great volunteers at the breakpoint. When you leave the breakpoint, watch the bike traffic as you depart, so as not to cause a crash.

  Lunch

  The official lunch stop is in Bellville. If you do NOT intend to stop at the Bellville lunch stop, move to the left and safely pass the riders who will be slowing for the turn into the breakpoint. If you are stopping, call out as you slow down and turn all the way into the breakpoint before you stop your bike and dismount. This will make it safer for all involved. Enjoy the wonderful sandwiches in the pavilion, and remember to stop and pick up your ice cream sandwich for dessert.

  La Grange

  The arrival into La Grange is always very exciting. There will be thousands of people lining the route just inside the fairgrounds and they’ll all be cheering you in to the Day One finish. Ride all the way into the fairgrounds and well past the announcer/finish line chute before stopping and dismounting. There will be lots of people milling around, so it’s best served to walk your bike to your final Overnight destination in the fairgrounds. If your team has a tent on-site, check out a map ahead of time and locate the tent. (ADD HYPERLINK TO TENT SITE MAP) 

  There will be a monitored bike parking area just to your right after you dismount. You can leave your bike there overnight.  Your bike will be stored safely and will be released only to you on Sunday morning; officials will check your ride wristband. Be sure to bring along a plastic shopping bag to cover the saddle, as it’s common for dew to collect overnight (quite an unpleasant start with a wet seat!).

  Sunday morning

  Participants will start lining up at the start line VERY early. For going above and beyond in raising funds to help persons living with MS, 300 Club members (and one guest each) have a designated start area set up for them at the front of the line.  These top fundraisers have earned this special perk through their dedication toward helping others, so please do not cause a disruption if/when they pass you to get to the front of the line; thank them for going the extra mile to fuel our mission.

  Ride Marshals and other officials will work the start line to keep order. Please be considerate and follow their instructions. No matter how exceedingly efficient our organizers are, it always takes about an hour to get everyone safely out of the fairgrounds on Sunday morning. Relax and enjoy the camaraderie with your fellow riders waiting for the sun to come up.  

  Bechtel Challenge Route

  Riders taking the Bechtel Challenge Route (or the traditional route, as some call it) will take a left out of the fairgrounds to head toward Bastrop and Buescher State Parks. It is a wonderful, challenging ride. If you choose to take this route, watch for riders around you. As you approach the hills, riders will be going at different speeds; some might even be walking up a steep hill. You are responsible for keeping yourself and the riders around you safe, so stay to the right if you know that you will take a hill slowly. This will allow faster riders to pass you safely while they pedal up the hill as well.

  Fedex Lunch Express Route

  If you do not feel up to taking on the steep hills and prefer rolling hills, take a right out of the fairgrounds and follow Highway 71 into Bastrop. The first seven miles or so are a bit challenging, as the road surface is a bit rough. Once past that stretch, however, it is a nice ride up and down all the way into Bastrop. Stay on the shoulder and ride single file. We will share the road with lots of cars and trucks. If you ride single file, it makes it easier for other cyclists to pass you safely without having to go into traffic.

  Finish into Austin

  The route after Sunday’s lunch is along a fairly narrow road with little to no shoulder. It is imperative that all riders stay to the right and ride single file. We cannot take up the entire road, as we share it with other vehicles.  Please be considerate and safe as you cover the last few miles into Austin. Once inside the city limits, you’ll spot traffic safety cones; these have been set up by the City of Austin. Stay inside the cones and be sure riders around you are aware of their presence. The traffic safety cones are fairly tall and easy to see, but, in crowded conditions, they can be hard to spot in advance. Once you arrive at the University of Texas campus, you are almost to the finish. Be prepared for a very exciting ride into the heart of Austin, right in front of the Texas State Capitol and the Bob Bullock Texas State History Museum. There will be tens of thousands of spectators lining the streets to cheer you across the finish. Enjoy the moment. Ride past the finish line, take a final left and continue all the way down to the bottom of this last hill; when you do, please slow down and stop safely. Follow the instructions of ride officials who may, for your safety, advise you to continue a bit further before stopping. Be alert for slowing bike traffic and pedestrians that may attempt to cross the road past the finish.

  Once you safely reach the area to stop and dismount, the bike trucks will be directly in front of you and you can load your bike if you are sending it back to Houston. NOTE: BE SURE TO PUT YOUR BIKE ON A TRUCK THAT IS GOING TO THE SAME PLACE YOU STARTED. As there are three official start sites, there are three locations where you bike can be delivered. Know  where you want to send your bike, so it will be waiting for you upon your arrival back in Houston.

  We hope you have a fun and SAFE ride!  Be sure to refer to the 2011 BP MS 150 Rider Manual for more information about what is available to you during event weekend. It is available online at www…………

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• Safety Week - Day 5 (Jan 28): Skill to practice for this weekend’s ride on Jan 29/30th

  As Safety Awareness Week draws to a close, it's time to safely take to the road and apply some of the skills you read about this week. The key to safe cycling is practicing these skills so you are familiar and comfortable with them, and can use them each time you ride.

  Most riders are just beginning their training for the 2011 BP MS 150, so the first skill to practice is riding in a group safely and courteously. There will be approximately 12,000 riders on the road to Austin, so you want to practice the following basic group skills this weekend:

  1. Maintain Your Space: When you ride, you need to maintain enough space between you and the riders around you to allow time to safely avoid any road hazards as well as unexpected moves by other riders. The space needed will vary based on your experience and familiarity with the riders around you. If you are a new rider, leave at least 3-4 feet between you and the bikes in front of you. If you are not familiar with the riders or they are riding unpredictably, leave a little more room. This will allow you time to safely slow or move over should the need arise.

  2. Ride Predictably: Don't make any sudden changes while riding. This means you should pay attention to the riders and conditions around you, and anticipate the need to change speeds or change your path. If you do need to slow down, first call out "Slowing" and then gradually slow down. The same applies to moving left or right; before you change paths, call out the need to move over, look to ensure it is safe to proceed, then make a gradual move as needed.

  3. Communicate: This is probably the most critical skill of all. When you are riding, monitor the road and riders around you, and communicate clearly and concisely to others. If you see a crack, pothole or other roadway hazard, call this out. Let cyclists know that a car is approaching by calling "Car back."  Practice this frequently and, while practicing, concentrate on maintaining steady speed and not suddenly slowing in response to a rider calling out. There is a tendency for new riders to be startled and slow down when someone calls out. Practice communicating and being communicated to frequently so you will get used to riding predictably while communicating.
  
  Remember that communication goes both ways; when you ride, it is just as important to listen and be aware of your surroundings. If riders are approaching and communicate their need to pass, you should hold your pace, gradually shift to single file if needed and allow the riders to pass.

  Finally, it's a great idea to practice using the words "Thank you" frequently and sincerely. You will be pleasantly amazed at what a difference this makes in the enjoyment on your ride.

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The BP MS 150 is all about having a great time while raising money to help everyone served by the good works of the National MS Society. In the past week, we have embarked on a journey to raise safety awareness for all riders. We learned about the education, equipment and experience needed to promote a cycling culture of safety.

We must commit ourselves to making safety a top priority individually and as team members. When we collectively decide to practice safe cycling skills because we care about our safety and the safety of everyone around us, we can all enjoy the ride even more. Together, we can build a culture of safety in our communities.

Ride safely and have fun on our shared journey toward a world free of multiple sclerosis!