Bike Around the Bay at Houston, Texas, United States

Still missing the MS150? How about the next best thing – Bike Around the Bay! This is a fantastic, fully supported two-day, 148 mile bicycle ride around Galveston Bay showcasing the natural beauty of Galveston Bay and benefiting the Galveston Bay Foundation. The ride starts in Anahuac, (east of Baytown, west of Beaumont) and continues along a scenic route that includes many fascinating sights and highlights. Riders will spend the night in Galveston where they will enjoy an informal Beach Party at Moody Gardens’ Palm Beach. Day 2 (Sunday, October 17) will bring riders north along the west side of Galveston Bay where they will ultimately finish outside of Baytown, Texas. You get to ride over the Galveston Causeway and take the ferry on your bike… How often do you get to do ‘that’? Since the event is so large we’ll be organized in a “Here’s what we are doing, everyone’s welcome to come” organizational style. Everyone will be responsible for their own accommodations and transportation but fear not, there’ll be plenty of carpooling and pooling of resources to get everyone there. Also, a note that if you want to reserve a hotel room, do it early – they may get booked! http://www.bikearoundthebay.org/

The Itinerary: Saturday morning: Carpool and/or meet at Fort Anahuac Park, Anahuac, TX Saturday: Ride! Saturday evening: Dinner and the beach party at Moody Gardens in Galveston (additional fee of $20). Dinner will include a full buffet spread with pasta, chicken, shrimp, vegetables, dessert and drink tickets. Kelly McGuire will be providing entertainment. Sunday morning: Riders leave Moody Gardens Sunday: Ride! Sunday at finish (Houston Raceway Park – Baytown): Take complimentary shuttle back to Fort Anahuac Park to get vehicles, then home!

The Quick and Dirty: REGISTRATION: $120 registration July 16-September 30, $140 registration after that – until October 12 (no race day registration) TIME: Saturday = meet at 7:30 a.m., set off at 8:00., Sunday = meet at 7:00 a.m., set off at 7:30 a.m. PLACE: Saturday: Fort Anahuac Park, 1704 South Main, Anahuac, TX; Sunday: Moody Gardens Resort & Entertainment Center, Galveston, TX PACE: All accommodations! We’ll split into groups as the ride progresses. DISTANCE: 74 miles daily for a total of 148 miles (Saturday + Sunday) FOOD AND DRINK: Organized rest stops every 15-17 miles, plus lunch stop both days. Don’t forget about the Beach Party! ($20 additional per rider)