Good morning and happy Thursday! Just a few quick items today before everyone scatters for the weekend...
Weekend Training Ride
John "the Punisher" Tenison has a training ride scheduled for Saturday morning. We'll be leaving from the Valero HQ North Garage with wheels up at 07:30 am (to beat the heat). We'll be doing the hills around Boerne, including Amman Rd. Make sure you bring plenty of fluids! Check the web site Saturday morning at 07:00 am to see if the ride's been cancelled - the weather weenies are prediciting scattered showers again through the weekend... To see our complete summer schedule, click here.
SAW New Rider Program
This summer we're going to try something new for you beginning riders on the team. For the first time ever, Velo Valero is partnering with the San Antonio Wheelmen (SAW) on our new rider program. The 6 week program begins 07/28; the cost is $25. For more information, click here. Send an e-mail to bikeeducation@sawheelmen.com if you are interested in joining. Space is limited, and the class is already 65% full, so if you're interested, please contact them soon. After you complete the course, Velo Valero will offer 6 weeks of additional new rider events to prepare you for the Bike to the Beach!
Bike the Beach
Speaking of the Bike To the Beach...Friday, June 22nd, is the last day for the early bird registration special. You'll save $15 bucks if you register before then. To register on-line, click here. Make sure you register with team Velo Valero!
One last Bike to the Beach item - yesterday some of the Board members and I travelled to Beeville with Tony Ralph from MS to scout out locations for our Saturday "tent city", and to brainstorm on ways to make this year's ride the best ever, including some subtle (and not so subtle) route changes. One item we both are focusing on is better sleeping options for folks who overnight in Beeville, which has become a problem over time as the ride has become larger and larger. Tony has partnered with the local high school to allow riders to sleep in two gyms about an mile from the day one finish line - this will provide space for approx. 400 riders to sleep in air conditioned comfort, plus plenty of parking. He's planning on providing continuous shuttle service between the college and this location. Keep an eye out for announcements on this from Tony. We are also looking at ways to improve sleeping options for Velo Valero team members - more news to come later!
Tour de Cure
Finally, if you are interested, click here to read a short account of the South District American Diabetes Association (ADA) Board Meeting this Tuesday. Velo Valero received special recognition for our fundraising efforts during the Texas Tour, plus our accomplishments as a first year National Team. In addition, Laura "the Queen" Vaccaro was recogized for her incredible efforts as Event Chair. The hits just keep coming!
- Peter