|
March 2007 - Posts
-
UPDATE AT 05:00 am on Saturday, 03/31:
I just spoke with PJ, who has been in touch with the other San Antonio Board members. Because of the rains in the Three Rivers area last night, and the chance of more this morning, we are going to cancel the Three Rivers ride today as an organized team event. There are just too many safety issues riding on wet roads and in the rain.
Just got off the phone with Roger Stewart, who is coordinating the event. If you pre-registered for the ride, they will mail you the t-shirt. They are going to setup the ride anyway, regardless of the weather, but he understands we aren't coming. And the Festival is defininitely on, if you want to attend it for the salsas!
A make-up training ride will be held at 08:30 am on Sunday beginning at Soler's Tri-Sport in Helotes. There will be a fast and slow group, and two different distances. Click here for the map of the Helotes figure 8 route.
The time has come to dust off that team jersey, pump up the tires to maximum PSI, lube the chain, and ride with Velo Valero in the Three Rivers Hotter Than Salsa Ride! This is our first official organized ride of the year, and as I've said all year, it's a great little ride for new and intermediate riders to do to become familiar with all the nuances of an organized ride - starting lines, rest stops, SAG support, etc.
If you plan on attending, please let us know via our on-line form.
The ride starts at 08:00 am sharp in Three Rivers, home of the Valero Three Rivers Refinery - click here for directions from San Antonio. Try to get there at least 45 minutes prior to the start to give you time to park, register (if you haven't done so all ready), and to line up with the team. We'll be taking a group photo at 07:45 am, so please be present at that time if you want to be in the photo.
Even though there will be organized rest stops, please bring a water bottle or two, and some foodstuffs for the ride. Also, please review Safety Officer Chuck Divelbiss' Safety Tips before the ride. They are expecting almost 200 folks for the ride, which for some of you will be the largest group you've ever been part of.
Right now there's a chance of thunderstorms on Saturday. I called the event planners today, and as of 03:30 pm on Thursday, the ride is a go. I'll check again tomorrow and let everyone know if there's been a change in schedule.
 If you want to stay for the Salsa Festival and Competition, please bring a change of clothes and a lawn chair. The Salsa Festival is a lot of fun. Last year, for a mere $1 you were able to taste all the different salsas entered into the competition - maybe Board Member Kent "the Hammer" Hamel and his family will win this year!
Once again, please let us know via our on-line form if you plan on joining us. Let me know if you are interested in car pooling via this form, and I'll try to hook people up tomorrow.
Finally, if you are feeling a little nervous and apprehensive about participating in an organized ride, I've found that listening to the soothing strains of Richard Cheese helps me relax - you'll be laughing so hard you'll forget all about how far you have to pedal this weekend. (RC can get a little raunchy - you've been warned!)
 Peter "Chili Pepper" Ray
P.S. If you can't attend the Salsa ride, please try to get some sort of physical activity in this weekend. You can't take a week off - we are still in training for the Tour rides this spring. If you will be doing a bike ride, please ride with at least one other person if you can - it's always safer to be in a group. Plus, you'll have someone to chat with along the way.
Riders at last year's Salsa ride
|
-
Good morning and happy Monday!
San Antonio Training Ride Updates
Mother nature cooperated with us this weekend - temps were cool, and the sun was safely behind clouds for most of the day. For the new riders, this was the first "real" ride, and it wasn't easy - 30 miles, including some Northside hills. It's real exciting to watch the new folks like Laura, Ricardo, Kerry, and Ben at the end of a ride like this - tired, yes, but exhilerated and a little amazed that they are able to ride this far, something that would not have been possible a few weeks ago when they started. The other riders did 40+ at a blistering pace, including some fun vertical challenges along Toutant, Scenic Loop, and Kyle Sealy.
On Sunday, 6 riders joined Carl on his weekly Northeast route. It started to drizzle toward the end of the route, which made the roads a little hazardous, but they finished before anything heavy came down.
All in all, a great turnout for this time of year. Thanks again to all the folks who lead the rides - John, Chuck, Zora, Slyvia, Andrea, PJ, Carl, etc. - they are the real backbone of this team!
Training tip of the week - Please eat dinner the night before a ride, and a good breakfast the day of a ride. Your body is a machine, and just like a car, it doesn't run on an empty tank. You will slow down, get dropped, and possibly "bonk", if you run out of fuel on a ride. Getting dropped is no fun, and falling off your bike is really no fun.
Next week we'll be doing the Salsa ride as our "official" training event - I'll be sending details on this later in the week.
Last Chance to Order Team Apparel this Spring
 This is the last day to submit your order for team apparel this Spring. The deadline is 05:00 pm CST. You must wear an official 2006 team jersey if you are riding with Velo in one of the Spring Tour events. You can order on-line from our Team Store. Items should arrive by the end of April. Contact Stan.lear@valero.com or Gwendolyn.King@valero.com if you have any questions. NOTE: We'll be doing another order in the Fall for the MS rides.
THE STORE IS NOW CLOSED!
Fundraising Workshop
David Sloan will be conducting his Electronic Fundraising Workshop for the Tour de Cure this Tuesday, 03/27, from 06:00 to 07:30 pm in the basement of the F Building at Valero HQ. As Yoda would say, David has the fundrasiing force in him - he's been a top fundraiser for years, and has been very generous in sharing his tips and techniques with other riders. This is a hands on workshop, where you'll be able to setup your web site and send your e-mails to potential donors during the class. Please register on-line because space is limited to the first 30 folks.
See ya' on the road!
- Petrovich
|
-
Aloha!
NEWFLASH AT 6:45 am on Saturday - THE WEATHER IS FINE! ALL SATURDAY TRAINING RIDES ARE ON!
This is our last weekend to do training rides before the Hotter than Salsa Ride next weekend. We will do a combined start for New, Intermediate, and Advanced Riders from the visitor parking lot at the Valero HQ building near the intersection of I-10 and 1604. New riders will go to Citgo and back, and the others will experience the memorable hills of Boerne Stage and/or Toutant Buearegard. To see our map, click here. It's wheels up at 08:00 am, so this means you need to be at the ride start no later than 07:40 to get geared up and ready to ride.
As always, let us know what rides you plan on doing by using our on-line form.
We have a wet weather pattern, which is good for the aquifer, but bad for cycling. We have our fingers crossed that it will be dry enough to ride. If we do get rained out, we have some backup activies planned -
- Zora/Sylvia will herd the new riders into the Valero Fitness Center for a workout at 08:00 am, which may include some hard core spinning. NOTE: Because of company policies, this option is for Valero employees and immediate family members only - sorry!
- PJ/Andrea have agreed to lead a group at 01:00 pm on Sunday from Raymond Russell Park (to avoid the traffic at the Rim).
Please check the web site early Saturday morning before venturing out to determine whether the ride has been cancelled.
Other weekend ride options include -
On Sunday, Carl Crawford will be leading a 40+ mile ride on the Northeast side of town again, starting at the Valero RDC at 08:30 am. Please e-mail him at carl.crawford@valero.com if you are interested. NOTE: Carl will cancel this ride and join the folks at Raymond Russel at 01:00 pm if the Saturday ride gets rained out!
Finally, David Sloan will be riding the Tour de Smithson Valley on Sunday at 1:00. This unique, first time event consists of riding multiple one-mile loops around Smithson Valley High School. It's a fundraiser for the French Club (which David's daughter is a member of). For more info, view the flyer at click here.
Once again, let us know what rides you plan on doing by using our on-line form.
Hopefully you'll get a ride or two in this weekend! If you do, please ride with at least one other person - it's not only safer, it's also a lot funner!
If you do get rained in, you can always amuse youself by perusing our rapidly growing gallery of funny cycling photos. I've been collecting these for years, and you are welcome to send me any new ones you come across.
To see our complete 2007 Training and Event schedule, click here.
- Peter
|
-
 If you are riding in the Texas Tour de Cure on May 19-20, please read the following:
03/22/07 - It's hard to believe the Texas Tour de Cure is only 56 days away! Sometimes when I'm sitting at my desk, slaving away for the man, I close my eyes and start thinking about toobin' down the San Marcos River, my heart rate still up after 80 fast paced miles in the saddle, with a cold beer in my hand and my best cycling buds floating next to me, watching Kerry and Kirstin jump from the bridge into the river, hearing Jacque's booming laughter, savoring the smell of Fausto's barbeque off in the distance, and feeling really good about myself because of the beer buzz and the good things I'm doing for ADA...I don't know about you, but I can't wait!
 This could be you!
Here's some things you need to do to get ready for "Animal House on Wheels" -
Be Loud and Proud
If you're participating in the Tour de Cure, DON"T BE BASHFUL - let the world know what an incredible thing you are doing! I have all sorts of goodies you can use to loudly proclaim to friends, family, and co-workers that you are one of the chosen few who has accepted this challenge. This includes red ribbons, red wrist bands, and the little yellow donor jersies you can hang outside your work area proudly displaying your "wall of champions" (as David Sloan refers to his). Come by my cubicle any time during the week to pick up some of these items, and I'll also bring some by our training rides in the coming weeks. Another thing I'd like is for everyone riding the Hotter than Salsa next weekend to wear one of the red ADA ribbons on your jersey during and after the ride - I'll have some at the starting line. (This was actually Laura's idea - she's always one step ahead of me!)
Jersey Order Deadline
If you are new to Velo Valero, and you don't own a current team Jersey yet, you need to order one NOW! The deadline for Spring orders is Monday, 03/26, at 05:00 pm CST. All members of Velo Valero who participate in an organized ride with us must wear a current team jersey. As mentioned before, we participate in events for which Valero is either the Title or Presenting sponsor, and we want to represent the company well (plus look good for the cameras!). Ordering team apparel is quite easy using our convenient on-line store. You can pay using credit card, PayPal, or even a personal check. To access the team store, click here. If you have any questions regarding the order process, contact Stan Lear (stan.lear@valero.com) or Gwen King (Gwendolyn.King@valero.com). NOTE: Unlike other cycling teams, we don't ask you to pay an annual membership fee - we just ask you to buy a team jersey that you get to keep!
Dorms and Transporation
Even if you have registered for the Texas Tour on-line, you still need to fill out the Supplmental Registration to select the routes you are riding, and to reserve a dorm room and any transportation you may need for your luggage, your bike, and your person. NOTE: Velo Valero will not be providing separate transporation for team members this year, as we've done in in the past. Click here to access the form. Print this, fill it out, and mail or fax it to ADA as soon as possible.
Fundraising Update
The see our progress, and the progress of the other Velo teams nationwide, click here. As of today, we have raised $24,125 out of our target of $55,000 (44%). There are two ways to look at this - the glass is either half full or half empty. To me, the glass is half empty, and we still have a lot of work to do. If you haven't sent our your first fundraising e-mail yet, what are you waiting for?
 To help you out, David Sloan, our Fundraising Board Member, has volunteered to conduct an in-person workshop on how to do electronic fundraising for the Tour. This will be held at the Valero HQ Campus on Tuesday, 03/27, from 06:00 pm to 07:30 pm. This will be a "hands on" work session held in a Valero computer training facility (FB-113 which is in the basement of the F buidling), so you will be able to login to your personal web site and tweak it during the session. If you are interested in attending, please reserve a spot by using our on-line RSVP system. Space is limited - only the first 30 folks will be registered, and we are opening this up to all Tour de Cure participants. If you want to learn from the Fundraiser guru - a man who can sell birth control to nuns and ice cubes to Ekismos - then sign up quick while space is still available! NOTE: Because space is limited, don't sign up unless you are absolutely sure you can attend!
See ya' on the road!
- Peter "Bluto" Ray
|
-
Spring is here and that means gorgeous weather, beautiful bluebonnets and time to join Valero’s bike team, Velo Valero. Our bike team is made up of Valero employees, our family and friends, along with many of our business partners. This year we’d love to have you join us. Being a member of Velo Valero is a great way to meet others, get some exercise, enjoy the great outdoors and help raise funds and awareness for others in need. By being part of the team, you can participate in coordinated training rides, learn bicycle safety and maintenance, receive discounts at several bike stores, plus enjoy all of the health benefits from riding your bike.
Today, Velo Valero is made up of approximately 250 people in the San Antonio area and another 150 from our refinery locations. The team holds training rides throughout the year, and participates in numerous organized fundraising events. 2007 promises to be our busiest year ever!
On March 31, the Hotter than Salsa Ride takes place in Three Rivers, Texas, (home of the Valero Three Rivers Refinery) and includes a Salsa Festival which the whole family can enjoy.
In May and June, the team focuses on fundraising for the American Diabetes Association (ADA). This year we’ve stepped up to the challenge of becoming one of four National teams for ADA. We have seven teams participating in five events nationwide, and we are targeting over $100,000 in fundraising. Highlights include:
- On May 6, a group of riders from San Antonio will join the Benicia Refinery team for the Napa Valley Tour.
- On May 19, riders from the Wilmington Refinery team will participate in the Long Beach/SoCal Tour.
- The San Antonio team will ride the Texas Tour that same weekend. We expect over 100 riders in this event, which includes a great dinner prepared by Chef Fausto and his crew at the stopover in San Marcos.
- On May 20, the Paulsboro and Delaware City teams will participate in the Philadelphia Tour.
- On June 3, riders from the Krotz Springs and St. Charles Refineries will participate in the Baton Rouge Tour. This is the first year Valero is participating in this event, and a number of riders from San Antonio are planning on joining the local teams to ensure Valero is well represented.
The biggest event of the year for Velo Valero is the Valero MS 150 Bike to the Beach, which will be held on October 20-21. Valero is the title sponsor for this event, which includes over 3,000 riders pedaling 150 miles from San Antonio to Corpus Christi over two days. Over the years, the Bike to the Beach has become a true corporate-wide event for us:
- Employees from throughout Oklahoma, Texas and Louisiana ride with the team
- Three Rivers Refinery volunteers staff one of the rest stops
- Corpus Christi Refinery volunteers staff the finish line
In 2006, our team raised a record $200,000 and received numerous awards including: Top Fundraising Team, Top Individual Fundraiser, Largest Team, Best Jersey Design, Best Breakpoint (Three Rivers Refinery) and Most Spirited Team, just to name a few. Our team joined with other corporate teams and individual riders to help make this the largest fundraiser in Bike to the Beach history, raising over $1.5 million. In addition to the 250 riders on the team, we also had over 300 employees and family members who volunteered for this weekend event.
So, please continue to volunteer and support our riders, but also consider joining our team and getting into shape. Besides the health benefits, your fundraising and Valero’s support are making a positive difference in people’s lives.
To learn more about Velo Valero, please visit the team web site at http://www.velovalero.com.
 Bill with Velo Board members Zora Bilicich and Sylvia Rodriguez at last year's MS 150 Appreciation Event.
|
-
A lot of people ask me, "Hef, how do I become a member of Velo Valero?" To help answer this question, I've put together the following checklist.
Step 1 - Understand our Mission Statement
Review our Mission Statement. Velo Valero is open to riders of all skill levels, and we are not limited to Valero employees only - we welcome friends, family, business partners, and any one else that wants to ride with a great team for great causes. We merely ask you to buy and wear our jersey (which you get to keep) and raise at least the minimum in the fundraising events we participate in.
Step 2 - Obtain a Bike and Safety Equipment
You'll need a bike - after all, we are a cycling team. A lightweight road bike is best for what we do. You also must wear a helmet during our rides, and something to carry fluids in, either one or more water bottles or a camelback. In Texas, we do a lot of riding in 100 degree heat, and we don't want you getting dehydrated.
Step 3 - Make the Lawyers Happy
Everyone who rides with Velo Valero must fill out our Rider profile and Waiver of Liability. This can be done conveniently clicking here. You must fill this out before doing your first training ride or organized event with us! Also, team members are required to fill this out once per year.
Step 4 - Get on Our E-Mail List and Download Our Membership Card
Our team is so big and distributed, that e-mail has become the most convenient way to communicate. To get on our e-mail list, go to our web site and click on the Join link in the upper right hand corner. Use your e-mail address as your Sign In name. (NOTE: If you decide to leave Velo Valero for whatever reason, there are simple instructions for being removed from this list.) Once you register and login, download our Membership Card, which you can then use to obtain discounts at area bike shops. To see the list of shops offering discounts, click here.
Step 5 - Order Team Apparel
Everyone riding as a representative of Velo Valero in an organized event needs to wear a current team Jersey. Ordering team apparel is quite easy using our convenient on-line store. You can pay using credit card, PayPal, or even a personal check. Click here to access the team store. The team store is currently open until August 22, 2008. Jerseys ordered will arrive mid-September, prior to the Bike to the Beach. If you have any questions regarding the order process, send an e-mail to cycling@valero.com.
Step 6 - Determine Your Personal Goals, and Get Involved!
 If you are a brand new cyclist, then join the New V Crew, the group in Velo Valero just for you! Click here to learn more about the crew!
If your goal is improve your physical fitness, then start joining us for training rides. To see the rules of the road for doing a Velo training ride, click here.
If your want to ride with the mighty Velo Valero juggernaut as we particiapte in organized charity rides such as the Tour de Cure and the Bike MS: Valero Bike to the Beach, then check our calendar of events. Find an event that fits your schedule and a cause that fits your moral compass, and go to the event web site and sign up as a member of Velo Valero.
Our next big event is the Bike to the Beach on October 4-5 - click here to read all about it and sign on the dotted line!
NOTE: If you sign up for an event that involves fundraising, we require you to raise the minimum, but will encourage you to raise more. If you have questions or concerns about how to be an effective fundraiser, please contact our Board Member in charge of Fundraising, David Sloan (david.sloan@valero.com). Step 7 - Have Fun!
Joining Velo is the best decision you've ever made! You'll have a great time, plus you'll get in shape, meet good people, and give back to the community.
Glad to have you on board - please don't hesitate to contact me if you have any questions or concerns!
Team members at the finish line at the 2007 Bike to the Beach!
|
-
Once again, good morning and happy Monday!
San Antonio Training Ride Updates
We did another round of training rides this weekend. Over 30 riders participated, which was a great turn-out considering it was both Spring Break and St. Patrick's Day. The Intermediate and Advanced riders did some challenging Northside hills, and the New riders pedaled the Mission Bike Trail again. In addition to the awesome cycling, there were a few other things that happened that I have to share with you.
Unfortunately, one of our riders had her car broken into and some valuables stolen while we were out riding. This can happen at any time. It's important to always:
- Take your driver's license with you
- Hide any valuables you have under your seat
- Lock your vehicle
The New riders had an notable experience also. The group did the 18 mile loop, and then a smaller group consisting of Zora, Sylvia, Kerry, and Ben decided to ride the loop again for extra miles. During the ride, they came across a solo rider who had crashed on his bike. He was bleeding from the fall, and looked to be in distress. A jogger had come across him earlier and contacted EMS. Zora and the others waited with the rider until care arrived. They obtained his emergency contact information, and Sylvia called the rider's family to let them know the situation - always a difficult call to make. The last word we had was that this rider was receiving medical care at BAMC, and that hopefully he'll be all right.
This rider is 76 years old, and rode the Valero MS 150 last year. His story raises two important issues:
- Whenever possible, always ride with at least one other rider - not only will you have someone to talk to, you'll also be much safer in the event of an accident!
- Always carry emergency contact information with you when you ride!
I'd like to thank Zora, Sylvia, and the others for what they did. They did not have to wait for EMS, or contact the family, or help coordinate the pickup of the rider's car. But they did, and you should too if you are ever in this situation. Part of being a member of Velo Valero is agreeing to be an ambassador for the Valero corporate culture of caring and sharing. Yes, it's important to raise money for ADA, MS, and so on - but it's also important to help your fellow riders out on the road every chance you get.
To see our complete training schedule for the spring, click here.
It's Official - We are a National Team for ADA!
 The ADA sent out the official announcement last week that Valero is now one of four National teams for the Tour de Cure. Click here to read the announcement. I wanted Laura Vaccaro as our National Team Board Member to provide the quote, and it's a thing of beauty!
As of today, we have 7 teams in 5 events, with 157 total riders registered. Our target fundraising across the events is $93,950, and to date we have raised $34,905. Dan in Benicia has the largest team (64), but Stephanie in Delaware City is doing really well in her first year there with 25 riders!
This is not a competition, because every dollar is important, and there are no losers. The important thing is for each team to set a target it is comfortable with. To see the current fundraising totals, click here. This will be updated at least once a week. To see all the teams, events, and captains, click here.
I'm very proud of what we are accomplishing for ADA this year. As Laura so eloquently put it, we are making a difference! If you haven't started your fundraising campaign yet, what are you waiting for?
If you have any fundraising ideas, please send them to our Fundraising Board Member, David Sloan (david.sloan@valero.com).
Apparel Order Deadline
  Monday, March 26th, at 05:00 pm CST is the deadline for ordering team apparel for our spring rides. Click here to access our on-line store. All Velo Valero riders must wear a current team jersey during our organized rides. If you have any questions or concerns, please contact Stan Lear (stan.lear@valero.com) or Gwen King (Gwendolyn.King@valero.com).
Dates to Mark on Your Calendar RIGHT NOW
Finally - here are a few important dates to remember for Texas riders:
- 03/27 - David Sloan will be offering a workshop at Valero HQ on how to do electronic fundraising for the Tour de Cure. Click here for details. Remember - all Velo Valero riders in spring Tour events must raise at least the minimum ($150).
- 03/31 - Three Rivers Salsa Ride. This is our first organized ride of the year. For new and intermediate riders, this is a great way to experience all of the nuances of our big organized rides like the Texas Tour and the Bike the Beach, but on a much smaller scale. It's a one-day ride with distances of 20 to 50 miles, and there is no fundraising required. Plus, there's a great family-friendly festival afterwards.
- 05/19 - Texas Tour de Cure. For those of you participating in our Spring Training program, this is what we're preparing for. If you haven't signed up for "Animal House of Wheels" yet, then what are you waiting for - click here to join the Velo Valero team for this ride.
To see our complete calendar of events, click here.
See ya' on the road!
 El Hefe
|
-
Here's the announcement released nationally by ADA on 03/16 announcing Velo Valero as one of 4 National Teams for Tour events!
VALERO THE ENERGY TO TAKE YOU ANYWHERE IS NOW USING THEIR ENERGY TO TAKE THEM NATIONAL
The American Diabetes Association is pleased to announce Valero Energy Corporation’s Cycling Team Velo Valero has committed to becoming a National Team for the Tour de Cure. In their commitment to truly make a difference in the in the lives of those affected by diabetes, they have committed to raising $100,000 Nationwide!
"The Velo Valero cycling team is extremely proud to have achieved National Team Status. Our commitment to the American Diabetes Association is a very important part of our mission to serve the communities we live in. In progressing to the national level, we have elevated our team fundraising goals and partnered with our colleagues at our field locations to extend our caring and sharing spirit to communities throughout the United States. It is a privilege to work with the outstanding professionals at the ADA who share our zeal for good health and helping others to have a better life. Here's to $100,000 in 2007!"
Laura Vaccaro, Velo Valero Board Member, National Team Development (2007), Velo Valero Team Captain (2005-2006)
|
-
 Top o' the morning to you!
This weekend San Antonio riders will be doing our third official training ride for the Texas Tour de Cure. This time, we'll have separate starts for New and Intermediate/Advanced Riders. We'll also have a special treat because it's St. Patrick's Day - iced down Green Gatorade for riders! (NOTE: This will be available at the ride starts - you are welcome to fill your water bottles then.) If you have any green cycling gear or apparel, you are welcome to don it for the occasion.
If you plan on riding, please let us know via our on-line form (click here). This will help us make sure we have enough maps, etc.
  Zora and Sylvia will once again lead new riders on the Mission Bike Trail. As I noted last week, the MBT is a great place for beginning cyclists to gain confidence in their abilities and their equipment. Also - we'll be gradually increasing the distance we do each week for the new riders, so plan on harder and longer rides each week - if you skip a weekend, you'll be falling behind! Click here to view the map for this route. Wheels up at 09:15 am from Padre Park (note the change in start time and location).
Directions to Padre Park from the North Side of San Antonio are:
- Take 281 South and take exit New Braunfels/Southcross Exit
- Turn RIGHT on New Braunfels
- Turn RIGHT on E. Southcross to S. Presa and turn left
- Go about a 1/2 mile on S Presa and turn right on VFW Blvd (NOTE: On the map this is labeled as E. White Ave.).
- Turn LEFT on Padre Drive
- Go about 1/2 mile on Padre and Padre Park is on the left
  John and Chuck will lead the advanced riders on a fun route on the North side of San Antonio. We don't have the green hills of Ireland to ride, but we do have the green hills of the Texas HIll Country (which are really green after the recent rains!) The distance will be 35 miles, but it will feel like more because of the hills and the fast pace. But you can do it - the distance is relatively short, and there are plenty of downhills to catch your breath on. This will be a great opportunity to practice different gearing techniques - your bike probably has has 20+ gear ratios on it, and you might as well become acquainted with all of them. Click here to view the map for this route. We'll be starting from Bullis County Park. Wheels up at 08:30 am!
 For those of you that want to do an Intermediate route, we'll also have a group doing a shorter and slightly slower ride from Bullis County Park. Andrea Shull will lead these folks. A subset of the longer route will be used - click here for the map.
 Also - As announced last week, Carl Crawford will once again be leading a series of training rides on Sunday mornings from the Valero RDC (Retail Distribution Center) on the Northeast side of town. Wheels up at 08:30 am! Send an e-mail to carl.crawford@valero.com if you want to join him on this ride!
If you've never done a training ride with Velo before, click here to see the rules of the road.
Finally - click here to read an account of the Solvang Century that Alan Dedman from the Valero Wilmington Refinery did on March 10th! 102 miles in one day, 20 mph headwinds, 5100 feet of elevation, maximum speeds of 50 mph - this sounds like one heck of a ride!
If you plan on riding, please let us know via our on-line form (click here). This will help us make sure we have enough maps, etc.
Send an e-mail to cycling@valero.com if you have any suggestions on future rides, or comments on our planned schedule.
See ya' on the road!
Peter O'Hefster - 50% Irish, All Velo
P.S. I can't resist including some of my grandmother's favoriate Irish blessings and toasts.
May your glass be ever full.
May the roof over your head be always strong.
And may you be in heaven
half an hour before the devil knows you're dead.
May the road rise to meet you.
May the wind be always at your back.
May the sun shine warm upon your face.
And rains fall soft upon your fields.
And until we meet again,
May God hold you in the palm of His hand.
For a good web site with these and other great Irish sayings, click here.
|
-
Just to remind folks there's a lot of awesome Velo cycling going on outside of Texas, here's an update on a great West Coast ride from Alan Dedman at the Wilmington Refinery. 50mph is not for the timid!
Peter, I rode the Solvang Century this weekend, the hardest one yet. The overall mileage was 102 miles, with 5,100 feet of elevation, with a 15 -20 m.p.h. head wind, which always seemed to be there no matter what way you were heading. For some reason I cramped up at around 45 miles, but talking to a colleague he told me to grit my teeth start spinning and drink more fluids. I did and worked through it, painful but I wasn’t going to get off that bike and stretch.
Anyway, I finished with a bunch of my team mates in 6hrs 18 minutes, about an hour longer than I normally do, but given the weather conditions very satisfactory. Average speed was 16.2 mph and the maximum speed was 49.8 mph.
What was really neat, towards the end we went of a portion of the AMGEN Course, and all the major riders names were still on the road.
All the best,
Alan
"60 years on and still going strong"
NOTE: Alan will be riding in the Napa and SoCal Tour de Cures this year. Click here for his home page for Napa.
|
-
Once again, good morning and happy Monday!
Training Ride Update
Our second San Antonio training ride was a success. We had almost 40 folks show up for the ride, which is a great number for this time of year. Hats off to Chuck Divelbiss who arrived early and quickly relocated our start to VFW Park, once he found that our planned start location, Padre Park, was locked up until 09:00 am. He tried to call me for advice but I was driving around in the dense fog trying to find the start. (I have an excuse - I was following Dave Balcer - I should have known better...)
Zora and Sylvia led a group of 11 new riders on an 18 mile ride along the Mission Bike Trail. Everyone finished, no one got lost, and a few of the new riders are ready to step up and join the Intermediate riders. Obviously, Zora and Sylvia are really good teachers!
 PJ led the Intermediate riders, our largest group of the day. They planned on doing 30, ended up doing 37, and most riders were ready to keep going once they got to the the finish line.
Chuck led our advanced riders. We did a little over 40 at a brisk pace - almost 18 mph. We had to outrun numerous dogs along the way, and at one point, we even had some horses chasing after us - this is something I've never experienced in 8 years of cycling around San Antonio. Fortunately, we all had enough juice to elude our pursuers.
All and all, a great day to ride!
To see our complete training schedule for the spring, click here. Also - it's very important to keep track of your miles, to insure you are increasing your distances each week in preparation for our organized rides. If you are training for one of the spring Tour events, you can download an event-specific training journal from our library of training tools. This is an Excel spreadsheet you can update any time you do any type of physical activity during the week - rides, spin classes, etc. This is based on the scorecard we used during the competitive Tour de Valero last year (which we may do again in April).
The Dirty Work that Goes on Behind the Scenes
...As Captain, I'm proud to say I lead the best recreational cycling team on the planet. One reason I can say this is because of the commtiment of our volunteers and Board members. Behind the scenes, a lot of work goes on to prepare for our weekly training rides. We review route options, design or update maps, and often drive the route a few days before we ride to insure there is no construction or other hazards that may adversely affect the safety of our team. During the ride, the route leaders are constantly monitoring the group to make sure every one is keeping up, and timing the rest stops to insure no one falls too far behind. They are also offering advice on cycling techniques and so on. Finally, someone always waits until the last rider is in to insure no one is left behind. Next time you are on a ride with them, let folks like Chuck, John, PJ, Zora, and Sylvia know how much you appreciate the work that they they for the team and for you.
Dates to Mark on Your Calendar RIGHT NOW
Finally - here are a few important dates to remember for Texas riders:
- 03/26 - Deadline for ordering team apparel for our spring rides. Click here to access our on-line store. All Velo Valero riders must wear a current team jersey during our organized rides.
- 03/27 - David Sloan will be offering a workshop at Valero HQ on how to do electronic fundraising for the Tour de Cure. Click here for details. Remember - all Velo Valero riders in spring Tour events must raise at least the minimum ($150).
- 03/31 - Three Rivers Salsa Ride. This is our first organized ride of the year. For new and intermediate riders, this is a great way to experience all of the nuances of our big organized rides like the Tour and the Bike the Beach, but on a much smaller scale. It's a one-day ride with distances of 20 to 50 miles, and there is no fundraising required. Plus, there's a great family-friendly festival afterwards.
- 05/19 - Texas Tour de Cure. For those of you participating in our Spring Training program, this is what we're preparing for. If you haven't signed up for "Animal House of Wheels" yet, then what are you waiting for - click here to join the Velo Valero team for this ride.
To see our complete calendar of events, click here.
See ya' on the road!
El Hefe
P.S. I'll be out on spring break this week. If you need anything while I'm out, please send an e-mail to cycling@valero.com. PJ will be monitoring the team mailbox for me, and handling any urgent requests.
|
-
Last Updated at 04:00 pm CST on Friday, 03.09. See updates in blue.
This weekend San Antonio riders will be doing our second official training ride for the Texas Tour de Cure. Once again, new, intermediate, and advanced riders will be doing a combined start together. We'll be heading to the south side to ride the scenic and historic Mission Bike Trail, along with some of the country roads that lead to Elmendorf and back. Distances will range from 15 to 51 miles. Weather is heating up - Saturday it's expected to be in the mid-80s - so make sure you bring plenty of fluids. We'll be meeting at Padre Park - wheels up at 08:30 am!
If you plan on riding, please let us know via our on-line form (click here). This will help us make sure we have enough maps, etc.
Directions to Padre Park from the North Side of San Antonio are:
- Take 281 South to Southcross Exit
- Take the Southcross exit to the right going West. Go West on Southcross to S. Presa and turn left.
- Go about a mile or two on S Presa and look for VFW Boulevard; turn right on VFW Boulevard. (NOTE: On the map this is labeled as E. White Ave.)
- Go down VFW Boulevard until you see Padre Dr; turn left onto Padre Dr.
- Go about one mile down Padre Dr and Padre Park will be on your left. Park in the parking lot.
Zora and Sylvia will lead new riders on the Mission Bike Trail. Many San Antonio riders (myself included) got our start on this route. It's flat, has lots of interesting scenery, and does not have the traffic congestion issues we're starting to see on some of our Northside routes. Our goal with the new rider program is to introduce folks to the sport of cycling, and to do it as safely as possible - the Mission trail is a good way to accomplish that. Also - we'll be gradually increasing the distance we do each week for the new riders, so plan on harder and longer rides in the weeks to come - if you skip a weekend, you'll be falling behind! Click here to view the map for this route.
Chuck will lead the intermediate and advanced riders on a longer route that starts with the Mission Trail, and includes a trip to Elmendorf and back. This is basically the Mission to Mission long route that we developed for the event last year. This route is also relatively flat - we're sneaking it in while John "the Punisher" is out of town (don't tell him!). Click here to view the map for this route.
For those of you that want to do an intermediate route (30 miles), PJ has volunteered to lead a group of riders. A subset of the longer route will be used - maps will be available at the ride start.
If you've never done a training ride with Velo before, click here to see the rules of the road.
 Another great training option that I highly recommend are spin classes. I started doing these last year, and they are an incredible way to improve your stamina as a cyclist. If you are a Valero HQ employee, Donna "the Drill Sargeant" Escobar leads classes on Monday and Wednesday nights at 05:45 pm at the Fitness Center that are amazing. Under her harsh tutelage, I've become the man that I am today (which, unfortunately, isn't saying that much - but other folks seem to be really benefiting...) Click here for some great background information on the art of spinning. If you are serious about the sport of cycling, find a spin class and attend it regularly - it's a great compliment to the time you spend on the road!
Also - Carl Crawford will once again be leading a series of training rides on Sunday mornings from the Valero RDC (Retail Distribution Center) on the Northeast side of town. He'll start these on Sunday, 03/18. Send him an e-mail at carl.crawford@valero.com if you are interested in joining him. More details to come!
Finally, we've updated the our training schedule for the next two months leading up to the Texas Tour de Cure. Click here to take a peek at the rides we have planned. Send an e-mail to cycling@valero.com if you have any suggestions on future rides, or comments on our planned schedule.
See ya' on the road!
Peter
|
-
If you are riding in the Texas Tour de Cure on May 19-20, please read the following:
David Sloan, who is the Velo Board Member responsible for fundraising, will be hosting a series of teleconferences for all Tour riders where he'll discuss how to run an electronic fundraising campaign using the web and e-mail software provided by ADA. The first call is scheduled for Thursday, 03/08, from 11:30 am to 1:00 pm CST. The number to call is 800-717-0724, and the passcode is 114036. There will be another call scheduled on 03/22 at the same time (details to be provided later).
David has also volunteered to conduct an in-person workshop on how to do electronic fundraising for the Tour. This will be held at the Valero HQ Campus on Tuesday, 03/27, from 05:30 pm to 07:00 pm. This will be a "hands on" work session held in a Valero computer training facility (FB-113 which is in the basement of the F buidling), so you will be able to login to your personal web site and tweak it during the session. If you are interested in attending, please reserve a spot by using our on-line RSVP system.
Finally, event if you have registered for the Texas Tour on-line, you still need to fill out the Supplmental Registration to select the routes you are riding, and to reserve a dorm room and any transportation you may need for your luggage, your bike, and your person. NOTE: Velo Valero will not be providing separate transporation for team members this year, as we've done in in the past. Click here to access the form. Print this, fill it out, and mail or fax it to ADA as soon as possible.
See ya' on the road!
- Dom Pedro
|
-
Good morning and happy Monday!
The first San Antonio training ride this weekend was a success. Although it was unseasonably cold and the wind was pretty gnarly, we had a great turnout. Hats off to new riders such as Ricardo, Peter, Laura, Craig, and Cris who completed their first ride with the team!
New riders Ricardo and Peter ready to hit the road. Click here for more photos.
 The MS Society has published the list of the top 100 fundraisers for the 2006 Valero MS 150, aka the "Top 100 Club". Twenty of the top 100 spots are occupied by Velo Valero team members, including #1, which is held by none other than CEO Bill Klesse. (See list below.) Thanks to everyone who participated in the Bike to the Beach last year, and mark your calendars - the 2007 ride is only 228 days away on October 20-21.
| 1. Bill Klesse |
| 5. James Tidwell |
| 8. Alain Charette |
| 12. Pamela Cook |
| 23. Laura Vaccaro |
| 29. John Emley |
| 34. Sharon Nichol-Jost |
| 41. Don Engelhardt |
| 42. Seth McConnell |
| 50. Zora Bilicich |
| 56. Eric Olsen |
| 63. Michael Hammersmith |
| 64. Patricia Jones |
| 65. Peter Ray |
| 72. Jamie Paniszczyn |
| 76. Sylvia Rodriguez |
| 77. H. David Sloan |
| 90. Lisa Bauerlein-Olsen |
| 93. Lori Francis |
| 98. Lee Morris |
 Fundraising is under way for the Spring American Diabetes Association (ADA) Tour de Cure events. As mentioned before, Velo Valero is kicking it up a notch by agreeing to become a National Team in 2007 for ADA. This means we have multiple teams riding in multiple events nationwide, and we are targeting $100,000 in total fundraising. As of this morning, we are 20% of the way there (click here for details). If you haven't signed up for a Spring Tour event yet, what are you waiting for! - click here to see a list of events Velo Valero is participating in. Also - later this month, Fundraising Board Member David Sloan will be conducting a workshop in San Antonio on how to use the ADA web site to run a successful electronic fundraising campaign. Stay tuned for more details!
The deadline for ordering apparel for this spring has been extended to Monday, March 26th, at 05:00 pm CST. Thanks to Stan Lear for negotiating this extension with our vendor, Vomax. To access the Team Store, click here. Remember - all team members must have a current Team Jersey to ride with us in organized events like the Tour de Cure and the Bike to the Beach.
Finally - the 2007 Hotter Than Salsa ride and family friendly festival is only 25 days away on March 31. Distances are 20, 35, and 50 miles, and the route is around the scenic Choke Canyon Resevoir. Bring your whole family to this event, which is held in the city of Three Rivers, home of the Valero Three Rivers Refinery! Click here for more details.
See you on the road!
- Pete
|
-
Alert the Media - it's the First Official Velo Valero Spring Training Ride of 2007!
This Saturday is the first official Velo Training Ride of 2007. It's time to dust off that bike, put some oil on the chain, air up the tires, and join the party! We'll be starting from the Valero Corporate HQ Visitors' Parking lot. At 7:30, Chuck Divelbiss will be doing a demo on how to change a flat tire for those that are interested. Our ride will officially start at 08:00 am. We have three routes planned:
Zora Bilicich and Sylvia Rodriguez will lead Beginner Riders on a 15 mile loop along the 1604 access road to Bitters and back, with a stop at Eisenhower Park. Click here for the map. HELMETS ARE REQUIRED BY ALL RIDERS!
John Tenison and Chuck Divelbiss will lead Intermediate and Advanced Riders on two different routes north of Valero HQ. Intermediate riders will go to the Citgo Station and back. Advanced Riders will do the same route, but add the formidable hills of Scenic Loop and Kyle Seale. Check our Training Calendar for the maps.
As a reminder, here's the rules of the road for Velo training rides:
-
Arrive at a Valero training ride at least 20 minutes prior to the ride start. This gives you time to unload your bike, pump up the tires, get geared up, and sign in. This also allows you the opportunity to hang with your fellow Velo Valerians.
-
You must sign in at the beginning and the end of every formal Valero training ride. The Training Ride Coordinator (TRC) is responsible for insuring everyone participating in the training rides returns safely to the ride start, and uses the sign-in sheet to verify this.
- You are responsible for providing your own spare tires, tubes, tools, etc. Plan for the unexpected and always be prepared.
- In general, there are multiple stops planned during a training ride. These tend to be spaced further apart than on our organized events (20-25 miles vs. 10-15). Please insure that you have adequate quantities of fluids and foodstuffs to tide you over between stops.
- There are usually multiple route distances during a training ride.
| |
|