Team Houston Methodist

Team Houston Methodist
2016 BP MS 150 Event Road Map
On behalf of Team Houston Methodist Cycling Committee, we extend our sincerest appreciation for your
support in the upcoming 2016 BP MS 150 ride to benefit the National Multiple Sclerosis Society (NMSS) and
the more than 2.3 million people affected by MS worldwide. It’s the reason we ride!!
Many of us have family and friends, coworkers and neighbors diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis. Learn more
about MS, current research and treatment, and how you can help in the effort to fight this condition by visiting
the NMSS website at http://www.nationalmssociety.org.
This event road map will answer most questions and contains important must-read information regarding
Team logistics for the weekend of April 16-17. This document, as well as additional information, will be posted
at the Team website at www.houstonmethodist.org/ms150. Be sure to explore the BP MS 150 website for
details about the route, safety and training, and other critical information you need to know about the event.
If you have questions not addressed here or on the websites, email to [email protected].
Team Coordinators / Site Captains –
 Nicole Hadnott
HM West & Austin
 Brenda Moore
Volunteers
 Layne Schramm
HM West & Camp Schramm
 Ana Gordon
Camp Schramm
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
832-360-0023
832-867-9779
979-966-3527
713-203-6025
Important – Every rider must register on the Team website at www.HoustonMethodist.org/MS150. We use the
information you provide on that site to plan the weekend event. If you didn’t register yet, hurry! Go now to the
website and complete the brief rider registration survey. Volunteers can also sign up on the Team website.
Thanks for helping us to ensure a fun and safe MS 150 weekend experience for you!
We look forward to seeing you on the road!
Kevin Burns and Dr. Bill Bryan
Team Houston Methodist MS 150 Captains
Team Houston Methodist
2016 BP MS 150 Event Schedule
Saturday, April 16
Starting at
5:30 am
Houston Methodist West Hospital: 18500 Katy Freeway
 Drop off luggage at luggage truck
 Check in at registration tables
 Enjoy biker breakfast foods
6:45 am
Team Photo – Wear your 2016 Team jersey
6:55 am
Team prayer led by a Houston Methodist Chaplain
7:00 am
Team Houston Methodist departure begins with security escort
11:00 am
First wave of riders begin arriving at Camp Schramm
1:00 - 8:00 pm
Massage therapists will be available between 1:00 – 8:00 pm
DJ entertainment starts at 2:00 pm; dinner starts at 4:30 pm
9:30 pm
Lights out at 9:30 pm so everyone can be well rested for Day 2
Sunday, April 17
5:30 – 6:30 am
Breakfast provided at Camp Schramm
6:00 am
Riders drop off cinch bags (change of clothes, toiletries) no later than 6:15 am for
transport to Austin. The van will leave at 6:30 am.
6:45 am
Riders drop luggage (sleeping bags, cots, air mattresses) by 6:45 am for transport
back to Houston Methodist West Hospital
6:45 am
Riders begin departing for Austin
11:00 am
First wave of riders begin arriving in Austin (based on rider speed)
Upon arrival in Austin, look for the Team Houston Methodist tent in the Green Zone
at Congress Avenue and 18th Street. A catered lunch is provided for all Team
Houston Methodist riders, volunteers and family members/friends who are meeting
riders at the finish.
10:00 am
BP MS 150 Chartered buses begin boarding for departure from Austin to Houston.
Be sure your bike gets loaded onto a box truck for the return trip. Riders who started
from Houston Methodist West Hospital should take a bus to Tully Stadium where
Houston Methodist vans will be available to transport you back to HM West Hospital.
5:00 – 11:00 pm
Rider luggage returned from Camp Schramm will be available at Houston Methodist
West Hospital for pick up from 5:00 pm to 11:00 pm.
2
Team Start – Saturday, April 16, 2016
Location - The official start location for Team Houston Methodist is at Houston Methodist West Hospital,
18500 Katy Freeway. Free parking is available in the campus parking garages or surface lots. A campus map
is included with this packet for your reference. Team picture will be at 6:45 am and Team prayer at 6:55 am.
The official start will begin at 7:00 am and will proceed in waves, with security escort, for a distance of 3.5
miles to join the official BP MS 150 route at Clay Road.
Alternate start locations - You may choose to start from one of three BP MS 150 official start locations.
Important: If you choose this option, be sure to read the rest of this packet for information about luggage and
return transportation.
 Tully Stadium, 1050 North Dairy Ashford Road, Houston – 6:45 am
 Rhodes Stadium, 1733 Katyland Drive, Katy – 6:45 am
 Waller Stadium, 20950 Fields Store Road, Waller – Rolling start time between 8-10:00 am
Check in – All riders must check in on arrival with the volunteers stationed in Medical Office Building #1
(MOB1). If you prearranged to pick up a jersey or other items, these will be available at the check-in location.
Coffee and light breakfast snacks will be provided.
Luggage - Trucks and volunteers will be available starting at 5:30 am to load your luggage for transport to
Camp Schramm (see enclosed recommended packing list). Your luggage needs to be tagged with your name
and cell phone number. Tags will be available at the trucks in case you forget to do this ahead of time.
If you plan to start from another location, we suggest you first drop off your luggage at Houston Methodist
West Hospital. This will ensure your belongings will be at Camp Schramm when you arrive.
Sunday morning, all luggage must be loaded onto the trucks by 6:45 am for transport back to Houston
Methodist West Hospital and will be available for pick up between 5:00 pm – 11:00 pm. Any luggage not
picked up on Sunday by 11:00 pm will be stored in a locked room. All luggage must be picked up no later than
5:00 pm on Monday, April 18. To arrange pick up on Monday, please call Layne Schramm at 979-966-3527.
Cinch bags – On check-in at Camp Schramm, you will be provided with a cinch backpack to pack a change of
clothes and other necessities you want to have available on your arrival in Austin. This is the only piece of
luggage that will be transported to Austin. Your cinch bag must be on the transport van Sunday morning by
6:15 am. We recommend including a change of clothes, shoes/sandals, and toiletries for a shower in Austin.
Camp Schramm
Location - Team Houston Methodist riders will NOT have a Team tent in La Grange. Instead, our Team will
camp at the Schramm Farm, 5519 FM 153, La Grange, TX 78945. Riders are encouraged to ride directly to
Schramm Farm. Our route will deviate from the BP MS 150 route beginning at Hwy 77: Instead of turning left
toward La Grange, our riders will turn right to the Team campsite. Directional signage for Team Houston
Methodist riders will be posted along the way. A pocket card with directions and emergency contact numbers
will also be provided at the official team start. If you are not starting with the Team at Houston Methodist West
Hospital, you can download a copy of the card at the Team website or refer to the map and directions included
at the back of this document. Important: Due to heavy traffic in La Grange, NO scheduled shuttle service will
operate between the La Grange fairgrounds and Camp Schramm. If you choose to ride to the fairgrounds with
the rest of the BP MS 150 riders, you will need to ride later to Camp Schramm for the amenities provided there
for the Team and overnight accommodations.
3
Sleep accommodations - Three large sleeping tents, restrooms and shower facilities will be provided at Camp
Schramm. A very limited amount of sleeping space is available for family members of Team Houston Methodist
riders. To ensure there is enough space for everyone, all riders must complete the rider survey on our team
website at www.houstonmethodist.org/ms150. As an option to the Team tents, there is some limited space
available for erecting a small personal or family tent. If you plan to bring your own tent, please advise the
planners ahead of time at [email protected].
No RVs or campers - We are unable to accommodate campers or RVs at the camp site. RV parking is available
on a first come-first serve basis in 2 areas around the Fayetteville County Fairgrounds. No hookups are
available. More information can be found at the BP MS 150 website. If you choose that option, please be sure
your driver has a vehicle available to provide transportation to Camp Schramm for showers, food and
entertainment, and to start with the Team on Sunday morning. Remember: NO shuttle service will operate
between La Grange and the Team camp site.
Cots - When completing the rider survey, you have the option to reserve a cot. A limited number of cots are
available at no charge to riders, volunteers and their guests. We strongly recommend that you reserve a cot by
registering on the team website at www.houstonmethodist.org/ms150. You may bring your own cot or an air
mattress with your sleeping bag/bedding as part of your luggage. Any unreserved cots will be available at the
campsite on a first come-first serve basis.
Massage therapists - Massage therapists will be available for a fee of $35 for 30 minutes. Riders will be seen
on a first come-first serve basis. To ensure all riders have an opportunity for massage, they will be limited to
30 minutes. You should bring cash to pay for this service. We have a plan to accept credit cards, but cannot
guarantee the credit card machine will work at this rural location.
Charging your phone - Plenty of electrical outlets will be provided for charging cell phones. Please be
courteous! Remove your phone as soon as the battery is fully charged so your neighbors can charge their
phones. Chargers are not provided, so remember to bring your own.
Late riders - Anyone still on the Day 1 route at 6:30 pm on Saturday will be picked up by BP MS 150 SAG
vehicles and transported to the fairgrounds in La Grange. If you arrive at the fairgrounds for this reason, we
won’t leave you stranded! Please call John Walters at 832-435-6967 or Ana Gordon at 713-203-6025. A driver
will be sent to pick you up and bring you to Camp Schramm. Again, there is no scheduled shuttle service
between these locations. This is only for riders who are picked up on the route after 6:30 pm.
Meals – Two meals will be provided at Camp Schramm: Dinner on Saturday starting at 4:30 pm, and breakfast
on Sunday morning starting at 5:30 am. Riders and volunteers eat free of charge. There is a charge of $5 for
guests. In the Rider Registration on the Team website, you will be able to indicate how many guests you will
have and pay for their meals online. Payment will also be accept onsite, but by reserving the meal online, we
will know how many hungry people to plan for and will be sure to have plenty of food on hand.
Security – The camp area is bordered by a fence with only one access gate. For added security, an off-duty law
enforcement officer will be on site. NO FIREARMS will be allowed on the property. Please do not include
firearms in your luggage. Appropriate signage will be posted at the gate.
Team Celebration in Austin
Team Tent - Team Houston Methodist will have a welcoming tent at the finish line in Austin. The specific
location will be announced at a later date. Each rider MUST check in at the Austin tent so we know you arrived
safely. A catered lunch will be available at the tent for riders and guests meeting them there.
4
Return transportation to Houston
Some riders have friends or family who meet them in Austin and take them home to Houston. Hooray for
friends and family!! For bus transportation, we were unable to secure Team buses at rates comparable to
those chartered by BP MS 150. So we ask that you take advantage of the BP MS 150 buses at a fee of $35
per participant. That fee also covers the cost of transporting your bike separately via large box trucks. We
recommend you reserve your bus transportation in advance at the BP MS 150 website. You may also purchase
your transportation on-site at the Bus Depot in Austin. They will accept on-site payment by check for $35, or
any of these credit cards: Visa, Mastercard, Discover and American Express. No cash will be accepted.
Bus transportation: For those who start Saturday morning with the Team at Houston Methodist West Hospital,
you should take the bus from Austin to Tully Stadium. The first bus leaves Austin at 10:00 am and the last at
7:00 pm. There are no scheduled departure times. Buses leave as they are filled.
Shuttles from Tully Stadium to Houston Methodist West Hospital: Two clearly marked Houston Methodist vans
will operate between the hours of 12:30 pm to 9:30 pm to take you from Tully Stadium to Houston Methodist
West Hospital. There is no cost for the shuttle. There will not be room for your bike on the shuttle, so after you
retrieve your vehicle and luggage at HM West, you will need to return to Tully Stadium to pick up your bike. The
distance is 6.4 miles and takes about 12 minutes to drive. A map is included in this packet for your reference.
Bikes: Bikes will be securely held at Tully Stadium until 11:00 pm. Any bikes not picked up by 11:00 pm will
be taken to the National Muscular Sclerosis Society office at 8111 N. Stadium Drive (near Reliant Center) and
secured there. They will be available to pick up the following Wednesday, April 11, when the office reopens.
Did you start from another BP MS 150 location? If you started from the Waller or Katy start locations and left a
vehicle there, you will take the bus back to your start location and then come to Houston Methodist West
Hospital to pick up your luggage.
Safety
In order to ensure a safe event, please remember the following:
 Complete the online Safe Cycling Challenge at the BP MS 150 website.
 BP MS 150 strongly recommends all riders obtain a bicycle equipment safety check before the event.
You can take your bike to any one of the BP MS 150 official bike stores between February 8 and April 8
for a free inspection. Team Houston Methodist is a Bike Barn sponsored Team. You can get your safety
inspection at any of their 8 locations in the Houston area.
 SAG (Support and Gear) stops are usually located near the exit of the breakpoint. SAG vehicles are
available to riders who need a lift to the next stop. REMEMBER: Pull off the road and remove your
helmet as a signal that SAG assistance is needed. Mechanical support and first aid stations will be
available at all breakpoints. Official BP MS 150 Breakpoints will be available every 8 - 15 miles.
 Remember to check in on arrival at both Camp Schramm and Austin so we know you arrived safely at
both locations. Methodist employees: Check in is REQUIRED if you plan to log this event to earn Pick
Up Your Pace credits. Refer to your Team emails for more information.
5
Meals, snacks and beverages
For all Team Houston Methodist riders and volunteers, coffee and light snacks will be available Saturday
morning at the team start at Houston Methodist West Hospital.
Official MS 150 Breakpoints will be available every 8 - 15 miles and will include water, sport drinks, fruit and
other snacks. Lunch on Saturday will be provided at the Bellville break point and lunch on Sunday will be
provided at the Bastrop break point.
Dinner on Saturday evening and breakfast on Sunday morning will be available at Camp Schramm. We will
have a catered lunch available at the Team Houston Methodist tent upon your arrival at the finish in Austin on
Sunday.
Fundraising and packet pick up
All riders (team captains, team members and individual riders) are required to pay a $100 registration fee
($130 as of February 15) and raise a minimum of $400 for the 2016 BP MS 150. Donations are due before or
at the time you pick up your rider packet. NOTE: If you do not meet the minimum, you will not be able to pick
up your packet and could be barred from future BP MS 150 events. If you decide not to ride, you can contact
the BP MS 150 at [email protected] to cancel your registration. Please make every effort to meet your
fundraising commitment.
NOTE: All riders are responsible for picking up their own BP MS 150 Rider Packet. Given the record level of
Houston Methodist riders, we are not able to arrange a team packet pick up. Locations and details can be
found at the BP MS 150 website on where and when to pick up your Rider Packet.
Team jerseys
On Day 1, please wear your 2016 Team Houston Methodist Jersey for the Team picture. If you have a Team
jersey from a previous year, wear that on Day 2. Or, you can wash out your 2016 jersey and hang it out to dry
overnight for Day 2.
6
Helpful links
You can find this “event roadmap” and other information on the Team website.
Team website –
www.houstonmethodist.org/ms150
Team Facebook page –
https://www.facebook.com/groups/103062363186886/
BP MS 150 website –
http://main.nationalmssociety.org/site/TR/Bike/TXHBikeEvents?pg=entry&fr_id=27003
Other BP MS 150 links –
Here are a few additional helpful sites. Click on any of these from within this document, or simply browse the
BP MS 150 website where all this information can be found.
Participation requirements
Safety and Training
Safe Cycling Challenge
Group Riding Skills Course
Lodging in La Grange and Austin
Route maps and support information
Packet pick up
Reserve bus transportation - Austin to Houston
7
MS 150 Recommended Packing List
Each rider is allowed a maximum of two pieces of luggage. This includes your air mattress/cot/sleeping bag
and suitcase.
Luggage Guidelines:
 No more than 25 lbs. each
 Put a personal luggage tag with your name and cell phone number on each luggage piece
 Place MS 150-provided luggage tags on luggage handles
Items needed on the route:
 Helmet – REQUIRED
 Rider Numbers and wristband – REQUIRED
 Padded bike shorts and jersey
 Cycling gloves and shoes
 Sunglasses, lip balm and sunscreen
 Tire patch kit, spare tubes and CO2 cartridges or portable tire pump
 Identification (driver’s license and insurance cards)
 Emergency cash and credit card
 Water bottles/hydration pack
 Jacket/rain poncho
 Cell phone and camera
Suggested Items in luggage (This will be returned to Houston Methodist West Hospital on Sunday):
 Sleeping bag/bedding, air mattress or cot; pillow; extra blanket if weather is to be very cool
 Travel alarm
 Towel, wash cloth for shower
 Toiletries, including soap, shampoo and contact/eye glasses supplies
 Medications
 Change of clothes for Saturday evening
 Plastic cover for bike seat on Saturday night (or it will be wet in the morning!)
 Riding clothes for Sunday
 Change of clothes for trip home
 Comfortable shoes for downtime
 Other suggested items: small flashlight, ear plugs, mosquito spray
 Cell phone charging cord & plug
 Mobile charger
 Cash for a massage at Camp Schramm
Reminder – A small cinch bag will be given to you in La Grange and is the only bag that will be transported to
Austin. Items you may want to pack in this bag:
 Change of clothes
 Credit card to purchase a bus ticket back to Houston, if traveling on BP MS 150 buses
 Necessary personal items, such as medications
8
Team start location on Saturday morning, April 16, 2016




On arrival, park your vehicle for free in the parking garage behind Medical Office Building 1.
(Note: Riders who plan to start from another location in Waller or Katy may proceed directly
to the luggage truck.)
From the parking garage, take your luggage to the truck stationed in the parking area in front of
the Medical Office Buildings. Be sure your luggage is tagged!
Next, check in at the front lobby of Medical Office Building 1. If you are picking up a jersey, they
will be at the check-in location. Team socks will be on sale for $7.50 / pair.
Enjoy a breakfast snack until time for the Team photo, Team prayer and departure.
Note: Restrooms are located in Medical Office Building 1.
18500 Katy Freeway
Houston, TX 77094
Houston Methodist West Hospital
Directions – from I-10 East or West
From either direction, take Exit 748 to Barker Cypress, and turn north at the intersection. Turn left onto Park Row
and then turn left into the first entrance to the hospital campus.
9
Directions to Camp Schramm
The official BP MS 150 route will bring riders down FM 2145 toward La Grange. At Hwy 77 the route turns left to
the BP MS 150 Day 1 finish line at the Fayetteville County Fairgrounds – approx. 2 miles. The route for Team
Houston Methodist riders is as follows:
 At Hwy 77 intersection, turn right on HWY 77(the rest of the BP MS 150 riders will be turning left here)
 About 1.6 miles from the intersection will be a Houston Methodist Team final rest stop
 From the rest stop, continue on Hwy 77 and turn left on FM 153
 Continue on FM 153 approx. 5.2 miles to Camp Schramm, on the right, marked by a large
Houston Methodist banner
NOTE: Do not turn on Schramm Road, which is before you reach the camp.
Camp
Schramm
Total distance from
intersection of FM 2145 &
Hwy 77 to Camp Schramm
is approximately 10 miles
Turn left onto
FM 153
Approx 1.6 miles to
Team rest stop
Intersection at FM
2145 & Hwy 77 –
turn right to
Camp Schramm
Camp St. Mark’s
& Fayetteville
County
Fairgrounds in
La Grange
A pocket-size direction card will be available for riders at the Team start at Houston Methodist West Hospital.
For riders planning to start from a different location, the card can be downloaded from the Team website,
or take these directions with you.
10
Shuttles from Tully Stadium to Houston Methodist West Hospital: Two clearly marked Houston Methodist vans
will operate between the hours of 12:30 pm to 9:30 pm to take you from Tully Stadium to Houston Methodist
West Hospital. There is no cost for the shuttle. There will not be room for your bike on the shuttle, so after you
retrieve your vehicle and luggage at HM West, you will need to return to Tully Stadium to pick up your bike. The
distance is 6.4 miles and takes about 12 minutes to drive.
Bikes: Bikes will be securely held at Tully Stadium until 11:00 pm. Any bikes not picked up by 11:00 pm will be
taken to the National Muscular Sclerosis Society office at 8111 N. Stadium Drive (near Reliant Center) and secured
there. They will be available to pick up the following Wednesday, April 11, when the office reopens.
Houston Methodist West Hospital
1800 Katy Freeway, Houston
Darrell Tully Stadium
1050 North Dairy Ashford Road, Houston
Directions: Houston Methodist West Hospital to Tully Stadium
Park Row Dr – Turn right from the north
side of the hospital campus.
Barker Cypress Rd – Turn right.
I-10 East – Pass under the freeway and
turn left onto the frontage road. Take the
on-ramp to merge onto I-10 East.
Exit 753B – Go 2 miles and take exit 753B
toward Dairy Ashford.
Dairy Ashford – Turn right, go ½ mile and
make a U-turn to Tully Stadium.
11
Volunteers and guests traveling to “Camp Schramm” from Houston,
Please DO NOT follow the same route as the riders. Following are 2 alternate routes to “Camp Schramm.”
Route 1 – Guests and volunteers traveling to “Camp Schramm”
The starting point is Houston Methodist West Hospital and is good for anyone who plans to travel along I-10.
 I-10 East
 In Columbus, Exit # 695 onto Hwy 71, going north/west
 2-Mile Lane (FM 230), just past Smithville and the Colorado River), turn right toward Buescher State Park
 FM 153, turn right
 Follow FM 153 for 10.5 miles to “Camp Schramm”, on the left side, marked by a large Team Houston
Methodist banner. You’ll know it by all the tents and activity.
For greater detail, copy and paste this route link into your browser:
https://www.google.com/maps/dir/Houston+Methodist+West+Hospital,+18500+Katy+Freeway,+Houston,+TX+77
094/5519+FM153,+La+Grange,+TX+78945/@29.8347284,96.4255451,10z/data=!4m19!4m18!1m10!1m1!1s0x8640d8e6102b85a9:0x814598a8ac8a1237!2m2!1d95.697588!2d29.7872279!3m4!1m2!1d97.1574225!2d30.0340983!3s0x8644816ab4a3f27d:0x3a6bd5fc596f1e00!1m5!1m1!1s0x864478f5bbed14af:0x2b
6de4c788f4e114!2m2!1d-96.9657887!2d30.0020071!3e0
12
Route 2 – Guests and volunteers traveling to “Camp Schramm”
The starting point is Houston Methodist Willowbrook Hospital, on Hwy 249 in the Willowbrook area, and is
convenient for anyone leaving from the north side of Houston.








Hwy 249 North (or proceed via best route to Hwy 290 West and continue west to Giddings)
Exit to Boudreaux Rd, turn left
Rocky Road, turn right
TX-99, turn left on the frontage road and merge onto TX-99
Exit toward 290 West (Follow the frontage road to first on-ramp to merge onto 290 West toward Austin)
In Giddings, turn left onto US 77 S / S Main St
FM 153, turn right
Follow FM 153 for 5.1 miles to Camp Schramm, on the right, marked by a large Team Houston Methodist
banner. You’ll know it by all the tents and activity.
For greater detail, copy and paste this route link into your browser:
https://www.google.com/maps/dir/Houston+Methodist+Willowbrook+Hospital,+Houston,+TX/5519+FM153,+La+
Grange,+TX+78945/@30.0444381,96.4461625,10z/data=!4m19!4m18!1m10!1m1!1s0x8640cdee203ed2e3:0x8d804191ffac33fe!2m2!1d95.5499977!2d29.9675376!3m4!1m2!1d96.8945244!2d30.1759353!3s0x86446fc361e4db99:0x68f053314cf7368b!1m5!1m1!1s0x864478f5bbed14af:0x2b
6de4c788f4e114!2m2!1d-96.9657887!2d30.0020071!3e0
13