I'll keep this short and sweet, since I know everyone is busily preparing for the holidays...
...I'll be taking some time off from work, so this will be the last blog for a while. Before I leave the proverbial building, I wanted to put together a photo collection from all of the big rides and events we were part of this year, just to help remind each of you of the incredible year we had as a team, and the many extraordinary things we accomplished. As I look at the pictures, I am both honored and humbled that you have the trust and confidence in me to be the leader of this unbelievable organization, and I'm looking forward to an even better year in 2008 for the team, for our friends and families, and for the the communities and causes we support.
Finally, I wanted to take one last opportunity to thank the Board of Directors for providing so much support to me throughout the year, and all the Team Captains from throughout the country who helped Velo Valero achieve amazing things for the first time on a national level. They are the ones that provide the real pedal power for this team.
To see our 2008 Ride Schedule, click here. If you have any suggestions on rides, send them to cycling@valero.com.
Enjoy the holidays - you deserve it!
The Jalapeno 100 - Rod and Isabel enjoy a beer after a long ride
Hotter than Salsa - The rain scared off everyone but these guys
Tour de Cure photo shoot in front of Valero HQ - Where's Jacque's helmet????
Spring Board Retreat - I almost froze my Board to death...
Fiesta Wildflower Ride - There are some Velo Valero riders in there somewhere...
Napa Tour de Cure - Click here for Alan Dedman's account
Texas Tour de Cure - Animal House on Wheels - with a little Texas toobin' thrown in...
Philadelphia Tour de Cure - Stephanie did such a great job building her Delaware team!
Long Beach Tour de Cure - click here for Alan Dedman's account
Baton Rouge Tour de Cure - What a ride and what an adventure!
Hotter than Hell - Click here for David Sloan's account of the ride
MS 150 Kickoff Party - What a good looking team! (I'll be saying this again later...)
Fall Board Retreat - I can barely reach the top of Chase's head...
Fall Kickoff Training Ride - Why is no one looking at the camera??
Conquer the Coast - Posing in the rain by the Selena Memorial
Pancake Ride - Celebrating Lori's big Three-O after the ride
Southside Training ride with Toyota Team - By far, the foggiest and doggiest ride of the year!
San Antonio City Hall - I got to meet the mayor! I got to meet the mayor!
Oklahoma MS 150
Long Beach MS 150 Bay to Bay
Bike to the Beach team tent - Who was that Elvis and why did he cost me $100???
Monika and Team from Krotz Springs pose with CEO Bill Klesse - Monika did such a great job building her team this year!
Bike to the Beach finish line - What a way to end a great weekend!
MS National Conference - I was so proud to represent the team at this event!
Tour de Gruene - One of the prettiest rides of the year
Mission to Mission - First ride I did after Lasik...it was amazing to see so many things along the way for the first time!
MS 150 Awards Banquet - Once again - what a good looking team!
Last ride of the year - El Hefe, the Funky Pirate, the Punisher, and the Rock at the Waring General store.
Valero CEO Bill Klesse, our Top Fundraiser for 2007. Bill's commitment to the team, both as a rider and a fundraiser, was a huge reason for our success this year.
See ya' on the road next year!
- Peter