Greetings 2007 Texas Tour de Cure riders!  This short note will be the final update on the Texas Tour de Cure this year.

Last night I had the pleasure and the honor to represent the team at the Board Meeting of the South Central Division of the ADA (American Diabetes Association).  The meeting was held in the posh Petroleum Club on the seventh floor of the Energy Plaza Building.  The Texas Tour had its best year ever - 1000 riders, 500 volunteers, and $500,000 raised.  As usual, Valero and the team were recognized for all our accomplishments.  Velo Valero received a number of awards - top fundraising team ($58,000 and counting, up 31% over last year), and the number 2 and number 3 fundraisers (David Sloan and Seth McConnel).   Valero was recognized for being the Presenting Sponsor.  Laura "the Queen" Vaccaro was recognized for her extraordinary efforts as Event Chair.  And, yours truly was recognized for my efforts in establishing a National Team for Velo Valero for the Tour, including the participation of riders in multiple events to promote the team and the cause.   As a total surprise, one of the Board Members was Diane Cortez, a woman I worked with 20 years ago at Valero, and who just had to get up and tell a few unncessary anecdotes about what I was like back in the day (long hair, a bit of a loose cannon, but a pretty sharp guy).  As I've said many times before, reaching all our goals as a first year National Team is something I'm so damn proud of and will always remember.  And it was folks like you who trained, raised the money, and rode the events that made it all happen!

Finally, at the meeting I was given the Final Rider Packets for everyone that participated in the Texas Tour this year.  For all you Valero HQ employees, they are in my office if you want to swing by and pick them up some time this week (I'm in F1-138A).  If you raised more than $250, the packet contains the Redemption Certificate you can use to redeem you "Thank You Gift".  The packet also includes your certificate of completion (suitable for framing) and a rider survey that you should really take the time to fill out.  At the end of the week, I'll mail out all the ones that weren't picked up.

If you want to see the latest photos from the event, click here.

Once again, thanks for your participation in this event, and I hope you plan on riding with us again next year!

- El "None of Her Stories are True" Hefe

My favorite photo from the Spring Tour events.  Danica from Krotz Springs gets a hug from a friend at the finish line of the Baton Rouge Tour de Cure.