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August 2008 - Posts
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Well, well, well - somehow I've managed to crank out four blogs in one week, a personal best. And, to be quite honest, this team has so much going on, four blogs is barely enough.
Weekend Rides
We have 3 rides scheduled this weekend. We have only 5 weekends left to train for the Bike to the Beach, so if you intend on riding both days of the event, you need to get some seat time in. If possible, get two medium to long rides in so you build up your ability to ride, recover, and ride again over multiple days. As always, check our Event Schedule for the complete details.
NOTE: Since we continue to have this freaky, unstable weather pattern, there's a good chance of rain this weekend, so PLEASE check our Training Ride hotline at 345-BIKE before heading out to a ride start on the other side of town. We'll try and update this at least an hour before the scheduled ride start if we need to cancel a ride.
Fundraising Superstars
Well, today we have not one, but TWO Fundraising Superstars. (I'm actually making up for lost time since I didn't do one last week...)
 Carl "Teddy Bear" Crawford has been on the team for many years, and is always one of our top fundraisers in every event we do. To read more about his fundraising strategies, click here.
 Megan "Movie Star" Lehnhoff is relatively new to the team (this is her second Bike to the Beach), but she has quickly become a cycling and fundraising dynamo for us and MS. To read how she puts the fun in fundraising, click here.
Fundraising Incentives
The Board and I really want to kick it up a notch with our fundraising this year. There is something our corporate parent, Valero Energy Corporation, does with its United Way campaign that I think is something we need to emulate. Valero wants to be the first company out of the shoot that starts and finishes its United Way campaign so that we are a pacesetter for the other companies out there. I'd like Velo Valero to be a pacesetter for the other teams and individuals participating in the Bike to the Beach. The Board and I voted earlier this year that we wouldn't distribute our "goodie bag" to anyone who does not raise the minimum ($300) prior to our packet pick-up on September 24th. Since you have to raise the $300 at some point, why not start now?? So, as an incentive to each of you, we're going to randomly draw the name of a person each week who has raised the minimum, and we'll award them an exciting prize. This week our winner is (drum roll, please!) - Barry Bennet, who as of today, has raised $510. Barry is from our Three Rivers refinery and is now the proud owner of a Valero back pack. Way to go Barry!
To see our current fundraising totals, click here.
Bike MS Board Photos
On Wednesday we did a photo shoot with Velo Valero top fundraiser and Valero CEO, Bill "El Hefe Grande" Klesse, along with Tony Ralf from MS. Unlike the dark, rainy, and windswept photo shoot we did in the spring, this one actually produced some decent photos, thanks to our good friends from the Valero Design Services Group. When I look at these photos, I feel so much pride in the team, and so much appreciation for the Board and all the incredible work they do on behalf of the team. Each of the Board Members is an unpaid volunteer who does this because they love cycling, they love this team, and they have a genuine desire to help others through our fundraising for causes like MS and ADA. To see the pictures, click here.
Board Members pose with Bill Klesse and Tony Ralf in front of the main entrance to Valero HQ
...see you on the road! And please keep the folks on the Gulf Coast in your prayers as we all anxiously watch the course of this latest hurricane.
- Peter
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Good morning and happy Thursday! Never in over two years of cranking out these blogs have I dared to publish one on Thursday. Well, today is the day - I'm just bursting with team news and my heart rate is still up from 5 miles on the treadmill, so in the immortal words of the late, great Marvin Gaye - Let's Get It On!
Saturday Ride
 The Punisher and I put our heads together and decided we'll do the Helotes to Castroville Ride Saturday morning. We'll leave from Roger Soler's in Old Town Helotes with wheels up at 07:30 am and distances of 45 to 70 miles.
NOTE: People often ask me, "Hef - why do these Saturday rides take place at different locations around the city each weekend?" Well, I've been involved in the Bike Team biz in San Antonio for many years, and one thing I've learned is that people on the team live all over town, and San Antonio is a BIG city. This means that it doesn't matter where we start a ride, because someone is going to be inconvenienced and will have to travel a long way to the ride start. With high gas prices, this can be a huge commitment both in time and money. To spread the pain around, we start at different locations. This also provides a lot of variety in routes and terrains for more experienced riders who need that sort of variety (you know who you are!). So, over the last year or so we've settled on the formula of doing a number of rides from fixed locations on fixed days of the week (Family Friendly, HillFest, etc.), plus doing one or two longer, more varied rides each week. Now if it would only quit raining so much so we can actually get more time on the road!
Tour de Valero
The Valero HQ Fitness Center is cranking up the Tour de Valero again! This is a 30 day fitness challenge during the month of September to help Valero employees get ready for the Bike to the Beach. As in years past, you'll get various points for all the different types of exercise (cycling, spinning, running, etc.) you do, and you'll win prizes if you get above the rec goal of 300 points or the competitive goal of 500 points. Plus if you have more points than anyone else at the end of the challenge, you'll be crowned the King or Queen of the Tour, and you'll have braggin' rights for the rest of the year. (Someone please beat Andrea this year!) So, if you work at HQ, go down to the gym as soon as possible, sign on the dotted line, and start those workouts! You'll thank me when it's Day 2 of the Bike to the Beach, and you're blasting into that headwind at 20 mph and not even breathing hard, and you're looking at that Harbor Bridge and saying, "Is that all you got????"
The Tour de Valero starts on September 2nd.
Fundraising Update
Well, our Bike to the Beach fundraising numbers keep creeping up! As of last night, we were up to 238 registered riders, and more importantly, we are up to $41,302, which is 21% of our target of 200 large. We still have a number of you who haven't started your campaigns yet (168 to be exact, or 71% of our total) but I'm not worried - you are just late bloomers, and you'll get your game on soon. These are great numbers, and I know, they will only get better. To see our current fundraising totals, click here. If you see someone you know on the list with a prodigious amount of fundraising, don't be bashful - ask them what they did to raise so much green, and I'm certain they'll be glad to share their secrets with you.
 And, you always have Team Vice President and RoboFundraiser David Sloan to bounce any ideas off of. Give him a shout at david.sloan@valero.com if you need some encouragement.
...see ya' on the road!
- Peter
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Good morning and happy Wednesday!
Rides this Week
The drumbeat is getting more intense - the Bike to the Beach is only 38 days away! I can see the Harbor Bridge and smell the salt water all ready. As usual, we have a plethora of training rides scheduled to get you ready for the event.
John will be leading the Wednesday Hillfest at 5:45 pm from Mays Elementary. This is a hot, hilly, fast-paced, no mercy ride (as opposed to a no drop). We'll all try to keep up with Luis "the Rocket" Rocha, who (hopefully) will be a little tired after his amazing performance at the Hotter N Hell this weekend...
 Andrea will be leading the Family Friendly ride from Bullis County Park at 6:30 pm on Wednesday.
We are still working on the details of our Saturday ride. I'll send out the information once we have the start, the route, and the disance confirmed. Count on a distance of 60 to 65 miles, although it won't be as hilly as the Luckenbach ride we did last week (nothing can be that hilly!). Odds are it will be on the west side of town and will include the rolling countryside around Castroville.
Megan will lead the newVcrew ride on Sunday -
The newVcrew is planning on doing the same ride as last weekend. WE WILL BE MEETING AT COMAL ELEMENTARY SCHOOL AT 7:30 AM. Because we are starting later, please be sure to come early to air up, etc. so that we can leave on time. Our rides have been starting later and later, and so we’ve moved the start time back to 7:30am, but that doesn’t mean that we roll out at 8 - we are leaving at 7:30 am sharp. Maps will be provided at the start of the ride. There are bigger hills than in weeks past, but it should only be 35-40 miles. There will be several possibilities for rest stops along the way including a wonderful photo opportunity in front of the legendary Gruene Dance Hall! - Megan
Carl has offered to lead a special Labor Day Ride on Monday on the Northeast side of town. The format will be similiar to the Good Friday ride we did earlier this year, where we leave from the community center in his neighborhood, and finish at his house, where we'll enjoy a little barbecue. Wheels up at a very user friendly 08:30 am and it will be a shorter recovery ride (30 miles). Send an e-mail to Carl.Crawford@valero.com if you'd like to join him.
As always, please check our Event Schedule for all the details. And, if the weather looks dicey, please call 345-BIKE to check the status of the training ride to see if it's been cancelled. We'll try and update this no later than an hour before the ride start.
More Hotter Than Hell Stories
Ken Mayfield, Valero Tour de Cure Event Chair, sent me this update on the Hotter N Hell. Apparently, there was a running event on Sunday that a number of current and former Velo Valerians did quite well on -
As David wrote, the Hotter’n Hell weekend was truly wonderful. Not only Saturday but on Sunday also during the very first ever Wee-Chi-Tah Trail Run. Velo Valero and San Antonio were well represented.
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Erica Rougeau won the 5K 24-29 women’s age group race
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Kerry Hart won the 5K 34-39 women’s age group race
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Dora Esparza won the 5K 44-49 women’s age group race
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I (aka, Ken Mayfield) won the 5K Men’s Master’s race.
Erica Rougeau, Director of the San Antonio Tour de Cure, experienced her very first ride, is now hooked on cycling. She rode 50 miles Saturday and this was the furthest she has ever ridden. She said she will ride the 100 mile course next year. Considering this past Saturday was only her 6th time riding (she only did 5 training rides) and she is riding a very heavy mountain bike, I know she will do it. - Ken
Way to go Erica, Kerry, Dora, and Ken!
A very proud Dora showing off her hardware. For more photos from the the run, click here.
I also received this update from Pat O'Brien -
You didn't get the real HHH story. I take off with Luis and a hundred yards into the ride Larry from the USAF team catches us. We are flying at over 25mph and at the 25mile point I decided that I'll never make it at these speeds. I ride my way to the 77 mile aid station where I found a very tired Larry ... Yes Luis has trained so well that he DROPPED Larry! Larry and I made out with an average speed of 20.3 and later sampling beer at a great Irish Pub I found Luis and his wife and Luis finished w/ almost a 22 mph avg speed. But again Luis dropped Larry! - Pat
Luis wearing one of the coolest cycling jerseys ever...
Lunch and Learns
Our Lunch and Learn last Tuesday with Laurel Tierney from Nutrition for Heart and Sole was a huge hit - we had over 30 runners and cyclists attend in person, and Laurel did a great job with the topic. I'll post the video in a few days, as soon as LEAD gets it to me (thanks again guys!). Mark your calendar for Tuesday, September 2nd for our next Lunch and Learn -
- On Tuesday, September 2nd, we are having a Lunch and Learn on Cycling Technique hosted by our good friend Matt from Bicycle Heaven. This will be in FB-128 at Valero HQ from 11:45 am to 1:00 pm.. We'll cover the topics of pace lines and drafting that are key to success on the second day of the BTTB. All new riders are encouraged to attend!
Volunteers Needed
The Bike to the Beach is a little less than 5 weeks away, and we are beginning to assemble the mighty army of volunteers required to pull off an event of this scale. If you have friends, family, co-workers, etc., that would like to be a part of the Bike to the Beach but don't think they can do the biking thing, tell them they are more then welcome to volunteer - we have plenty of options available, from preparing and serving the food, to driving SAG and courtesy shuttle, to helping Board Member Lucy Hernandez create that unbelievable Saturday Night Team experience for us. If you are an employee, check the Valero Intranet SignUp facility to see what opportunities are out there. If you are not an employee, send an e-mail to Board Member Phoebe McCallum at Phoebe.McCallum@valero.com and let her know you would like to help (or know someone that does).
...see ya' on the road!
- Peter
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Good morning and happy Monday!
Hotter N Hell
Received this update late tonight from Team Vice President David Sloan, who was our Event Captain for the Hotter N Hell this weekend. Here's his recap of the ride -
What a great weekend! We arrived on Friday morning and helped set up the display tables for the American Diabetes Association - Valero Tour De Cure and the Bike MS: Valero Bike To The Beach to spread the word about our two great bicycle rides among the thousands who register for the HHH and visit the huge bike expo the day prior to the event. The official Bike To The Beach Toyota truck was on display in front of the MPEC until the SAAB folks (SAAB was this year's HHH official vehicle sponsor) asked that the Toyota be moved into the regular parking lot, which we did without fanfare. Andrea Shull, Tammy Friddle, Paige Wright, PJ, and I all had a great time greeting the riders and getting to tell them about the Valero sponsored bike rides out of San Antonio. We got a lot of interest, and several newly registered riders as a result.
Only a handful of the nearly 30 Velo Valero riders made it to the photo session at 5:00 on Friday afternoon, but among them were the three person contingent from McKee Refinery led by Greg Thompson who almost missed the ride due to a recent muscle strain. However, Flat Peter was in evidence all over the place! The MS table, team photo shoot, a Valero store where unleaded regular was selling for as low as $3.46, and even with David's cousin and his wife at the Pioneer Restaurant in Wichita Falls where he was almost "strung up" for mistaking a wagon wheel for a bicycle wheel.
Saturday was an almost perfect riding day - clear, seasonable warm, and light winds. As usual, everyone got separated soon after the start, but several groups got together later in the ride and finished close together. I met up with Kerry and Dora at the 30 mile rest stop on the 100K route, and PJ, Andrea, and Chase rode the 100 mile route to the cutoff, making theirs a 74 mile ride, so that they could experience the thrill of riding through Shepard Air Force Base.
Two things really stand out to make me want to come back to this ride every year. The first is the start and first 20 or so miles where the road is filled with a river of colorful jerseys and fresh cyclists pushing over the small hills and around the curves. It's an awesome sight to see from the top of every rise - the flow of the colors and the mass of humanity. Awesome! The second thrill is the air base. After entering and riding past the B-52 "Buff" (Shepard was a SAC base during the Cold War), you make a turn and cross the flight line between F-16, F-15, A-7, T-34, A-10 and a couple of C-130's. Then comes the real highlight. Riding past a squadron of cheering trainees along a smooth and otherwise calm street. I just put out my hand and touched almost all of them, thanking them for serving our country as they cheered and enjoyed the recognition of a hand slap from a grateful citizen. From there, it's a quick 4 miles to the finish line and a well deserved rest.
Andrea, Kerry, PJ, myself, and Dora finished within 5 minutes of each other at around 11:30 or so. Chase came in a few minutes later. I didn't see others finish, but Andrea saw Erica Rougeau afterwards and she was feeling good about finishing her 50 miler. I am pretty sure that Paige did well as she steamed past me at about the 17 mile mark pulling a pace line of about 15 riders at probably 20+ mph.
My personal ride was my best ever. I got hooked up with a four person group just after the start and as traffic thinned out, we went from around 18 on up to 24 - 26 before I had to admit that I couldn't keep that pace for the whole ride and dropped off. Soon after was when Paige passed me. I had new personal bests at every distance. My average was over 20 mph at the 20 mile mark and I was at 18.3 after 30 miles. I finished the 63+ mile "100K" route with an average of 16.3 mph! Wahoo! As always, the hardest part of the ride is the long uphill and into the wind grind on the IH-44 access road to the 52 mile rest stop. By then, I was needing nutrition badly. I probably should have stopped at the 40 mile rest stop, but I was determined to make it a 2 stop ride and I knew I would need a rest at the 52. I should have taken the extra stop. After the 52 mile stop, some food, and liquids, I was able to finish strong. This was my best HHH, and one of my best rides ever! See you on the road... - David
Group photo with Flat Peter at by the Team Truck
Chase, Andrea, and PJ at the ride start
For more HTH photos, click here. I'll load more tomorrow - it's getting late tonight...
Weekend Rides
On Saturday, I joined a group of 10 riders who weren't doing the Hotter N Hell (and weren't scared off by the prospects of rain) to do the legendary Luckenbach ride. This was 60+ miles of some of the gnarliest hills around San Antonio. We had plenty of cloud cover to keep the temperatures low, but all the recent rains meant we had unbelievable humidity - close to 100%. We took it at a leisurely pace, with plenty of stops to regroup and chat about - what else? - the Olympics (see below). But, this meant we were on the road for a long time (5+ hours). That last set of monster hills on the I-10 frontage north of Boerne is really a test of will at that point in the ride. When I encounter 'em, I just put my head down, look at the pavement immediately in front of me (not the hill in the distance), and take it one painful stroke at a time until it's over. By the end of the ride, the combination of 5+ hours in the saddle and that oppressive humidity had really taken its toll on me - I was sure glad it was over. I'm also so proud of new rider Steve who completed his longest ride ever, and Alice who finished strong even though she hasn't done much road cycling this summer.
Board Member Carl "Teddy Bear" Crawford led the newVcrew ride Sunday morning. Here's his report -
We had great weather for the 45 mile bike ride this morning from Comal Elementary to Gruene Hall and back with the Sunday vCrew. There were a total of 14 riders this morning that included two new cyclists from the Broadway Bank Team and Tony Ralf from Pauline's Last Harrah. There is a rumor that I had two flat tires on purpose this morning!!!! Gruene Hall starts serving beer at noon on Sunday and I tried having enough flats that we would arrive just in time for beer. This did not happen due to the help of Matt Montez and Bill Krupa at the rest stop a couple of miles from Gruene. They changed my second flat tire. Maybe next time I can have my beer in the middle of the ride. This was also the first time that I crossed the new bridge in Gruene - it is a lot better than the old bridge. Unfortunately, the hill to Gruene Hall is still there. - Carl
Members of the Crew pose in front of the legendary Gruene Hall
What You Eat = How Well You Ride
Just one final reminder about our Lunch and Learn this Tuesday -
On Tuesday, August 26th, Laurel Tierney, R.D., L.D., (and Velo Valero teammate) will be speaking on Nutrition for Endurance Athletes. The event will be held in the Cafeteria Private Dining room and will last from 11:45 am to 1:00 pm. If you're an HQ Valero employee, use the Intranet SignUp facility to let us know you are attending; if you're not an employee, send an e-mail to cycling@valero.com.
Olympics are Over...The Withdrawal Begins
...After 16 days, the Olympics are coming to a close. I don't know about you, but I absolutely loved every minute of every broadcast I watched. From that incredible opening ceremony with those 2008 fierce drummers pounding away to that amazing human Memory Tower in the closing ceremonies tonight, I was spellbound. What's incredible was that for two weeks the four of us in the Ray-Sultemeier household had a rare concordance - two 40 somethings and two teenagers agreed to sit together and watch Olympic coverage each night, endlessly thrilling to the drama of athletes from across the planet pushing the boundaries of what the body and the spirit can accomplish. What a great way to end the summer. I know there will be a painful withdrawal we'll all go through tomorrow, but hey - the Winter Olympics are only 18 months away!
...see ya' on the road!
- Peter
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Good morning and happy Friday!
Weekend Rides
This weekend, we have a large group of riders (25+) heading to Wichita Falls for the Hotter N Hell, and I can't wait to hear the stories when they get back. For those of you staying in town, we have two weekend rides to help you prepare for the Bike MS: Valero Bike to the Beach (which is only 43 days away!). Because there's a chance of rain (again) this weekend, we're going to try something new to communicate the status of our training rides to the team. Before heading out to a ride start, you'll now have three ways of checking the status of the ride. You can call the ride leader to get the up to the minute scoop. You can check our web site, which we'll update at least one hour to the ride start. And, beginning this weekend, you can call 210-345-BIKE (2453). If a ride is being cancelled or the start delayed on a given day, we'll update the message on this number to give you the latest and greatest details. Hopefully by doing this we can eliminate some of the confusion that surrounded the newVcrew ride last Sunday.
 Hats off to team member and hammerhead Henry "Flash" Martinez for suggesting this.
On Saturday, John "the Punisher" Tenison will lead riders on the Legendary Luckenbach ride. With the recent rains, the temperatures have cooled down a bit, so it's time to tackle one of the toughest rides we do during the year. We'll start in Downtown Boerne at the old FiServ building parking lot, and we'll have routes of 45 and 65 miles. Wheels up at 07:30 am. Get a good nights sleep before the ride, and eat a good breakfast - this ride will take everything you've got (and more). But I can assure you - the gorgeous Hill Country scenery and the stops in Luckenbach and Waring make it all worth it!
Carl "Teddy Bear" Crawford will lead the newVcrew ride on Sunday morning from Comal Elementary School with wheels up at 07:00 am. If you do the Saturday ride, you should consider doing the Sunday ride also if it fits into your schedule, so you begin to get the experience of riding on back to back days that you'll need on the BTTB.
As a heads up, Carl has offered to lead training rides all three days of the upcoming Labor Day weekend, since he's training and training hard for the weeklong ride he does in Tennessee each year. I'll have more details next week... NOTE: Beginning the weekend after Labor day, we'll begin offering rides for advanced riders on both Saturday and Sunday, similiar to what we did last year. Stay tuned for more details... As usual, check our Event Schedule for all the details.
Lunch and Learns
Just a reminder - we have two Lunch and Learns planned over the next few weeks that will help you prepare for the BTTB. The events are open to all members of the team - employees and non-employees. Dress is business casual, and all will be held at Valero HQ near the intersection of 1604 and I-10. Park in the main visitor's parking lot and enter through the main entrance. If you are an employee, please register for the event through the Valero SignUp facility. If you aren't an employee but plan on attending, please send an e-mail to cycling@valero.com and let us know which event, and we'll add you to the list. NOTE: We'll also be filming it (courtesy of friends in the Valero LEAD department), and we'll post to the video to our web site like we've done in the past.
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On Tuesday, August 26th, Laurel Tierney, R.D., L.D., (and Velo Valero teammate) will be speaking on Nutrition for Endurance Athletes. The event will be held in the Cafeteria Private Dining room and will last from 11:45 am to 1:00 pm. -
On Tuesday, September 2nd, our good friend Matt Hamlin from Bicycle Heaven will pontificate on Cycling Technique. This will be in FB-128 at Valero HQ from 11:45 am to 1:00 pm.
Pool Party in September
 Board Member David "Guido" Gross is having a pool party at his house after our training ride on Saturday, September 6th. Those of you who have been around Velo Valero for many years know that we usually do a late summer ride called the Pancake Ride each year. For various reasons we're not doing it this year, but we are going to keep up the tradition of a pool party at David's to celebrate the end of summer and the beginning of the real training season for the Bike to the Beach. The event will last from after the ride (which will start and finish at Judson High School) and last until "6 ish". Guido will provide sandwiches, salads, tea, and water - please bring towels and any other drinks you want to enjoy around the pool. If you plan on attending, please send an e-mail to David at david.gross@valero.com so he can get a headcount before the event.
...see ya' on the road!
- Peter
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Good morning and happy Wednesday!
Weekend Rides
 The weekend is approaching, and you need to start planning your weekend training rides. The Bike MS: Valero Bike to the Beach is only 45 days away, and you need to be training and training hard to be ready. As usual, we have a couple of options.
The Hillfest is cancelled this week, because I'll be going to the MPO meeting (see below), John is out of town, and the rest of the gang is preparing for this weekend's Hotter N Hell.
Andrea "Android" Shull will be driving SAG in the Team Truck for the Wednesday night Family Friendly ride at 06:30 pm from Bullis County Park. (NOTE: Someone has pointed out to me that Too Tall bears a striking resemblance to Olympic beach volleyball phenom Kerri Walsh...) The Wednesday night Family Friendly ride has been cancelled due to the rain. Sorry...
John "The Punisher" Tenison will lead our Saturday ride with our usual start of 07:30 am. I'll publish the start and the route as soon as he gets back from Seattle and we decide what to do. Plan on a distance of 60 to 65 miles, since we need to be increasing our mileage.
Carl "Teddy Bear" Crawford will lead the newVcrew ride on Sunday morning from Comal Elementary School with wheels up at 07:00 am. If you do the Saturday ride, you should consider doing the Sunday ride also if it fits into your schedule, so you begin to get the experience of riding on back to back days that you'll need on the BTTB.
As usual, check our Event Schedule for all the details.
MPO Meeting
The San Antonio-Bexar County Metropolitan Planning Orgaization (MPO) is holding a Bicycle and Pedestrian Project Workshop on Wednesday, August 20, from 05:00 pm to 08:00 pm. The event will be held on the Community Room of the VIA Metro Center at 1021 San Pedro. The workshop has a drop-in format with no formal presentation - come anytime and allow up to an hour. For more information, call 210-227-8651, or visit the MPO web site at http://www.sametroplan.org/. If we are really going to go from Fat City to Fit City, we need a vastly improved network of walking and biking trails in all areas of the city, and this is your chance to let your voice be heard on this issue.
Hotter N Hell
The legendary Hotter N Hell ride in Wichita Falls is only days away. Team Vice President David Sloan is our Event Captain for the day, and the last time I counted, there are close to 20 folks from Velo Valero participating in this ride. Send an e-mail to David at David.Sloan@valero.com if you plan on riding. If possible, we'd like all team members to wear our current team jersey and to pose for a photo at the ride start. David and PJ are also trying to pair riders up based on expected pace and distance - if you're not sure who you'll be riding with, please contact David or PJ and let them hook you up. (Once again I'll miss the Hotter N Hell, because it coincides with the first big pep rally of the Churchill High School football season, but ONE DAY I'll make it - I promise!)
Lunch and Learns
Just a reminder - we have two Lunch and Learns planned over the next few weeks that will help you prepare for the BTTB (which is only 45 days away!). The events are open to members of the team who aren't employees. Dress is business casual, and all will be held at Valero HQ near the intersection of 1604 and I-10. Park in the main visitor's parking lot and enter through the main entrance. If you are an employee, please register for the event through the Valero SignUp facility (we'll have setup later today). If you aren't an employee but plan on attending, please send an e-mail to cycling@valero.com and let us know which event, and we'll add you to the list. NOTE: We'll also be filming it (courtesy of friends in the Valero LEAD department), and we'll post to the video to our web site like we've done in the past. We are all about customer service at Velo Valero!
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On Tuesday, August 26th, we are having a Lunch and Learn on Nutrition for Endurance Athletes. The event will be held in the Cafeteria Private Dining room and will last from 11:45 am to 1:00 pm. As I tried to push myself harder physically this year, I've grown to appreciate the importance of proper nutrition in improving your performance.
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On Tuesday, September 2nd, we are having a Lunch and Learn on Cycling Technique hosted by our good friend Matt from Bicycle Heaven. This will be in FB-128 at Valero HQ from 11:45 am to 1:00 pm.. We'll cover the topics of pace lines and drafting that are key to success on the second day of the BTTB.
Glennis Does the Dam 09 Tri
Finally, I received this note from Glennis, a new rider to the team who has been riding with Too Tall on Wednesday nights, and will be joining the gang for the Hotter N Hell this week. Along with Richard, Kirstin and a few others, Glennis did the Alamo Heights Dam 09 Triathalan Event this weekend. I'll post some photos later in the week - had trouble viewing the first batch she sent me. Here's her report.
Saturday was my first ever Triathlon - the Dam '09! After cycling all spring and summer on the Wednesday night rides with Andrea, I was talked into this by our newest Velo Valero member, Roxanne Arndt. I can run and cycle, but thanks to Roxanne and her "forced water marches" at the Ft. Sam pool, I managed to swim 400 meters at a slow and steady pace (I'm no Dara Torres, believe me!) without stopping and came out breathing! The cycling was great, and why not?? I had soooo many training voices going on in my head--my husband, Andrea, Ken, Alfred, Trey...only the best. Then I ran for home! - Glennis
Way to go Glennis - I'm going to work on my swimming and try this one next year!
...see ya' on the road!
- Peter
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Good morning and happy Monday!
From Fat City to Fit City
...I don't know about you, but it seemed that everywhere I went this weekend I saw folks walking, running, or cycling. I don't know if it's because folks are being inspired by the Olympics, or that the Bike to the Beach is only 47 days away, or that the Rock and Roll Marathon is coming up in November, or that's it's all the teen athletes gearing up for another year of high school sports, or if it's just the high price of gas forcing people to find other ways to entertain themselves that don't involve as much time in a car. More than likely it's a combination of all of the above, but the bottom line is that it's all good. For many years San Antonio has had the reputation as being one of the fattest cities in the country, and the percentage of our citizens with diabetes has always been off the charts. It's at times like these that make me feel we are reaching a critical mass where maybe, just maybe this is starting to change. Maybe, just maybe San Antonio has turned the corner and we are slowly moving from being Fat City to becoming Fit City. (I sure hope so.) Each of you that rides with Velo Valero is doing your part - not just by improving your own personal health and well being, but by being a role model that inspires others. Not only are we helping in the fight against diseases like MS with our fundraising, we are also improving the quality of life in our communities by choosing to exercise regularly and lead healthier lives.
Weekend Rides
On Saturday morning, I joined approximately 25 Velo Valerians for a ride that started at the new Tri-Sition store at 1604 and Bitters. John "the Punisher" Tenison designed the route for us, then promptly left for the West Coast for a mini-vacation with the family. True to form, the 55 mile route was an endless and brutal Hillfest. Other then a few flat miles on Blanco, through Boerne, and on the 1604 frontage, this route was nothing but hills, including some real monster climbs on Blanco, Armann Road, Upper Balcones, and Babcock. (Many of you apparently enjoy these climbs, because the most popular download from our web site year after year is the map of routes in the Boerne - Leon Springs area - click here to download). Fortunately, we had a good cloud cover for most of the route that kept the tempuratures relatively cool (low-90s). I paced with Chuck and Lori for most of the ride, after we were dropped by Luis "The Machine" Rocha and Tony "The Animal" Gonzalez. After the ride, we all went inside the store to enjoy some cool water and cooler air, check out the merchandise, and watch a little Olympic action. We'll probably schedule another start or two from the store as we approach the Bike to the Beach (only 47 days away!) - it's soooo conventient, and Lorena (aka, Iron Mom), one of the owners, is such a nice person and such a huge supporter of the fitness community in San Antonio.
RIDE NOTES: Hats off to Trey for leading a group of newer riders on a 30 mile route...I think PJ is back - she led a group of folks on the massive peaks of Kyle Sealy on the way back, because, hey, JT didn't include a enough hills for her...Seymour did his longest ride since his surgery and hung tough...
El Hefe holding his gut in while posing with the very fit owners of Tri-Sition Area, Lorena and Marco.
Unfortunately, we had somewhat of a snafu on Sunday morning wth the newVcrew ride. Tanya called me at 5:30 am and we discussed the overnight rains, and the possibility of more rains Sunday morning, and decided it was too risky to lead a large group of new riders on a long ride. So, I updated the web site with a message indicating the ride was cancelled, and she waited at home for folks to call for an update on the ride status. Well, at 7:15 I get a call from Andrea saying that 25 people were at Cibolo City Hall waiting to ride. In the immortal words of Homer Simpson, "DOH!" I immediately called Tanya and asked her to drive to the start and check on things. I called her later in the day to see how things went. She said she got there after folks left, but caught up with most of them to distribute maps and keep people on course. Way to go Tanya! Also, thanks to a few of the experienced riders like Derrick who pitched in to manage the ride.
...Just a little background on why we'll cancel a ride, which fortunately we don't have to do too often. In general we err on the side of caution, particularly when new or nearly new riders are involved. I know we all need to be training, but I also have a responsibility to insure everyone returns home injury free to friends, families, and bosses. This is why we provide maps, drive the route ahead of time, and typically do a safety briefing at the start of each ride. We knew there was some water on the road from the night before, and we also knew there was a good chance of more rain in the morning, so we decided to cancel the ride. Well, we just had a failure to communicate. I updated the web site at around 5:45 am, and Tanya waited for folks to call for a status. Well, no one called. For those of you who got there expecting ride leaders and maps, I apologize. In the future if it looks like rain, please check the web site the morning of the ride - I usually update no later than an hour before the ride start. You can also call the ride leader and ask about the status of the ride.
Training Rides this Week
...I'll send out an announcement in a day or two about our training rides this week. John is out until Thursday, and Andrea will be resting up prior to the Hotter N Hell, so I'm not sure what we'll do yet. Rest assured we'll have rides scheduled - just need to figure when and where, and who will lead them. Stay tuned!
Fundraising Superstars
 As mentioned last week, we going to be spotlighting stories from our top fundraisers this year as we approach the Bike to the Beach. Our first inaugural Fundraising Superstar is (drum roll, please!) Curtis Lang. To read more about Curtis and his campaign, click here.
Hammerfest
 In addition to the Hotter N Hell in Wichita Falls on next weekend on August 23, there's another great event Velo Valero will participate in to get you ready for the Bike to the Beach. This is the 2nd Annual Lavernia Hammerfest, which takes place on Saturday, September 13. This is a great one-day ride close to San Antonio that has distances of 34, 53, and 65 miles. The terrain is rolling countryside similar to what we encounter on Day 1 of the BTTB. There is no fundraising required, but there is a $30 registration fee. If you are a new or nearly new rider, the Hammerfest is a great way to get used to the logistics of starting lines, rest stops, etc, on a smaller scale before the Bike to the Beach. I'm really hoping that our jersey order will be in then, and this will give folks an opportunity to wear the Velo colors for the first time in an organized event - I'll keep you posted! Note: The Hammerfest will be our team Training Ride that weekend.
Lunch and Learns
...I got a number of e-mails from folks asking about the Lunch and Learns we have planned. Yes, they are open to ALL members of Velo Valero. I'll be sending out instructions in the next week or with directions to our building, and how to check-in with campus security. To see the schedule for the Lunch and Learns, check our our Team Calendar.
Hannahfest
...I'll end with a photo of me on my mountain bike taking our youngest dog Hannah for a run around the block. It took a few practice rides, but I finally have her trained to run beside me at a steady pace and to hold the line (so I don't run over her). She's a handful like most young dogs are, but she is very affectionate and never turns down the opportunity for a fast-paced mutt strut around the block. If you have a hyper dog that needs a daily dose of exercise, combine it with your need for time in the saddle to get ready for the Bike to the Beach. Start slow, and only continue if the dog can actually hold the line, and not stop abruptly, or veer in front of you, or make like a Scud missle when a fiendish cat appears (all of which can cause you to crash and burn, believe me). Enjoy!
2008 Hannahfest, coming to a neighborhood near you
...see ya' on the road!
- Peter
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Happy Friday!
Weekend Rides
NOTE: The newVcrew ride on Sunday, August 17th, has been cancelled. There were heavy rains in the area last night, and more expected this morning. Please do a shorter ride around your neighborhood if you get a chance today, and practice clipping in and out if you are new to cleats.
Just a quick reminder - we have rides on both Saturday and Sunday this weekend. Check our Event Schedule for all the details. If you plan on riding the Bike to the Beach (which is only 50 days away!) you need to be riding every weekend, and increasing your mileage each weekend. You should also consider riding on both days to increase your ability to ride on back to back days. And as always - make sure you have plenty of fluids with you on every ride! Drink before the ride, during the ride, and after the ride. My favorite in-flight beverage is a half and half mixture of Gatorade and water, with plenty of ice, topped off by a real deal Dr. Pepper (no Diet please!) at the end of the ride.
F2 Adventures
Received this note early Thursday morning from Board Member Andrea Shull, who leads the Family Friendly rides on Wednesday nights. Her account shows that when you do one of these training rides, you need to be prepared for anything. It also shows the importance of riding with a team - we are all there to help each other out when these sorts of things occur.
There was a lot of drama last night. 8 of us rode 41 miles and 12 others rode 25. We had an awesome ride. Unfortunately, there were three flats, two fairly new riders had to be picked up, several got locked in the park, and one who had to stop for a while due to really low blood sugar. David Sloan and Ken Mayfield cut the barbed wire and rescued them. The two that fell behind were helping David with his two flats. David called his wife for a SAG and they decided to ride the rest of the way. Needless to say they were way behind and had to get picked up. It got too dark and neither of them had any lights. I’m glad these types of incidents don’t happen very often. I’m exhausted….. - Andrea
Hotter N Hell
Received this update from Team Veep David Sloan, who is our Event Captain for the Hotter n Hell, which is scheduled for next weekend.
The Velo Valero team members who are riding in the Hotter'N Hell Hundred in Wichita Falls next weekend are planning to meet for the start at the corner of 2nd & Scott, with many planning to arrive around 6:00 AM before the parking lots and the streets get too crowded. Also, don't forget to stop by the BikeMS - Valero Bike To The Beach table AND the American Diabetes Association - Valero Tour De Cure table that will be set up somewhere in the MPEC for the bike expo. If you are not already registered, you can sign up for either or both of the rides while in Wichita Falls and take advantage of special registration rates. - David
Board Meeting
 Yesterday we had our bimonthly meeting of the Velo Board of Directors. It's all hands on deck now to get ready for the Bike to the Beach (which, did I mention already, is only 50 days away). To see the minutes, click here. In the evening, a few of us ventured over to Board Member Luz Hernandez' legendary Happy Room (which is, unbelievably, even more happy than it was last time I went). We enjoyed wonderful snacks and drinks, and then watched videos of the Bike to the Beach rides from years past to get us energized for planning this year's Saturday Night Team Experience. If you want to watch the videos from last year's Elvispalooza, click here.
Jersey Order
 Today's the last day to order a new jersey for the Bike to the Beach. Yesterday at the Board Meeting, we voted to use our current jersey for one more year - because, frankly, it's still the best looking jersey on the road! This means if you were on the fence about ordering a second jersey because you weren't sure we were using it again, fear not - I can assure that you'll be able to wear the jersey throughout all the events we have planned for 2009. So, what are you waiting for??? The cost of the jersey is a mere $70. We don't ask you to pay dues to be on this team - we just ask you to buy and wear this gorgeous jersey on the road (which you get to keep afterwards!!) To access the jersey order site, click here.
NOTE: The Jersey Store is now closed. A limited number of extra jerseys were ordered. If you are interested in purchasing one, send an e-mail to cycling@valero.com.
Upcoming Events
Finally, at the Board Meeting we finalized plans for some upcoming events in San Antonio that will help you prepare for the Bike to the Beach. Click here to see our complete Calendar of Events.
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On Tuesday, August 26th, we are having a Lunch and Learn on Nutrition for Endurance Athletes. The event will be held in the Cafeteria Private Dining room and will last from 11:45 am to 1:00 pm. As I tried to push myself harder physically this year, I've grown to appreciate the importance of proper nutrition in improving your performance.
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On Tuesday, September 2nd, we are having a Lunch and Learn on Cycling Technique hosted by our good friend Matt from Bicycle Heaven. This will be in FB-128 at Valero HQ from 11:45 am to 1:00 pm.. We'll cover the topics of pace lines and drafting that are key to success on the second day of the BTTB.
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On Wednesday, September 24th, we'll have another Lunch and Learn that will be a Bike to the Beach Final Briefing, where the entire Board will be there to answer any questions you have about the event. The Lunch and Learn will be held in the Cafeteria Private Dining room and will last form 11:45 am to 1:00 pm.
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Finally, on Wednesday, September 24th, we'll have our Packet Pick-up for the Bike to the Beach form 04:30 pm to 07:30 pm. This will be in the Main Cafeteria of Valero HQ. You'll be able to pick up your event packet, your team jersey (if you ordered one), and if you've raised the $300 minimum, your incredible Velo Valero goodie bag (more on this later).
...see ya' on the road!
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Good morning and happy Wednesday!
Weekend Rides
We have four rides scheduled this week to help you get ready for the Bike to the Beach, which as of today, is only 52 days away!
 I'll be leading the Wednesday Hillfest at 5:45 pm from Mays Elementary, since the Punisher is out of town. This is a hot, hilly, fast-paced, no mercy ride (as opposed to a no drop). Since Kyle is no longer with us, maybe we'll slow down just a bit...NOT!
Andrea will be leading the Family Friendly ride from Bullis County Park at 6:30 pm on Wednesday.
On Saturday morning we'll be leaving from the new Tri-Sition Area store at the intersection of 1604 and Bitters. This store caters to runners, cyclists, and swimmers. Our ride starts at 07:30 am, but the store will open at 07:00 am if you want to look around and maybe stock up on some items prior to the ride. TSA will provide us fluids for the ride start and the finish. John Tenison is out of town and won't return until tomorrow, so I won't post the routes until then - because to be honest, he's still working on them. We'll have multiple distances, as usual, and it is sure to include those wonderful Hill Country vertical challenges.
On Sunday, the newVcrew starts at the same place and the same time - 07:00 am at Cibolo City Hall. Here's Megan's announcement -
If you plan to attend this Sunday’s newVcrew ride, PLEASE BE ON TIME AND READY TO ROLL OUT AT 7AM. That means that you have to get there early (~6:40am) to air up tires, etc. We will not wait for people who are late and you will have to ride on your own.
Again, our route to be very similar to the last four weeks… minimal traffic and fairly flat roads. Maps will be provided at the start of the ride but it is also attached (we’ll be going clock-wise again to put most of the hills towards the beginning of the ride). There will be a rest stop about half way in McQueeny. Again, a lot of these country roads are not marked so it is important to stick with the group so as not to make wrong turns.
This week Velo Valero National Team Captain Peter Ray will be riding with us. Known on our team as “El Hefe,” he will be able to answer any questions you have regarding Velo Valero, Bike to the Beach, or cycling in general. Board Member Andrea Shull will also be riding with us. Known variously as "Too Tall", "Skyscraper", and "Android", she is much taller than El Hefe will ever be. - Megan
Once again, to see our entire event schedule, click here.
Jersey Orders
 The clock is ticking on our fall jersey orders....The deadline for ordering jerseys is Friday, August 15th (i.e., the end of this week). The cost of the jersey is a mere $70 - what a bargain for the best looking jersey on the road! Remember - all riders participating in an organized fundraising event with Velo Valero need to wear a current team jersey each day of the event. We don't ask you to pay dues to be on this team - we just ask you to buy and wear this gorgeous jersey on the road (which you get to keep afterwards!!) To access the jersey order site, click here.
Fundraising Status - Good News Getting Better Every Day!
We continue to creep up on our team size for the Bike to the Beach, and more importantly, our team fundraising. As of today, we're up to 210 riders, and we've raised $31,697 dollars, which is 16% of our target of $200,000. I'll continue to post our Team Roster and Individual fundraising totals on a weekly basis, but beginning today I'm going to format it a little differently. From now on, I'll list the team in order of fundraising, with our top fundraiser at the top, and working backwards from that. I do this every year to emphasize the real reason we are riding, which is to raise money for the MS Society. And I'll say what I say every year - this is not a contest, there are no losers, and every dollar counts. I really want to spotlight our top fundraisers each week because they are the pacesetters that will inspire and lead the rest of us. We're working on a program where these folks can share with the rest of the team their "secret sauce" for fundraising, the tips and techniques that make them so successful at what they do. Stay tuned for more details!
One other detail about the Team Roster I need to point out. I include one column labeled "Delta" that shows the difference between the target ($300) and what has been raised by each person below the target. My assumption is everybody participating in the event will raise at least the minimum, because to be quite honest, that's what you signed up for when you registered with us. Our to-date fundraising is $31,697, but if everyone who registered with Velo Valero raises at least the minimum, our potential fundraising is $85,582, which is 43% of our target of $200,000 - very impressive for this stage of the game. As always, if you have a question about fundraising, don't hesitate to contact our resident guru, Board Member and Team Veep, David Sloan (david.sloan@valero.com).
Hotter N Hell
Just a reminder - the annual Hotter N Hell ride is less than two weeks away on August 23rd. This ride is true Texas tradition - 13,000 cyclists gather in North Texas to ride 100 miles in what is usually 100+ degrees heat. David Sloan is our Event Captain for the day, and will be driving the team truck up. Send him an e-mail at david.sloan@valero.com if you plan on riding.
Bikram Yoga
...On a related Hotter N Hell note - The last two nights my daughter and I have attended a Bikram Yoga class, which is also known as "hot yoga" because you do it in a room heated to 105 degrees and 40% humidity. It's basically 90 minutes of strenuous yoga in a sauna. If you've ever cycled beside me on a hot day, you know I'm a prodigious sweater, but friends, I'VE NEVER SWEATED LIKE THIS BEFORE. This is one of the hardest things I've ever done in a year when I've done some pretty difficult things - 3 Tour de Cures in 5 weeks, running to the top of the Tower of the America, mountain biking in Tapatio Springs, skiing at 12,000 feet, and so on. (I was reminded of much of this when I put the Year in Review video together this weekend.) I stayed in that sweltering, unforgiving room the whole time both days, and managed to get most of the forms somewhat right - although, I'll admit I'm a yoga neophyte, and have a long way to go. I don't know why, but it seems the older I get, the more I'm willing to try things I would never have considered when I was younger. I'm in better shape now than when I was 20 years ago, and I'm more fearless about these types of physical challenges. In fact, I am almost ready to sign on the dotted line to do half of the San Antonio Rock and Roll Marathon this November, even though I've never participated in any kind of organized run before. When I ask myself why this year is different, I only have one answer. My association with the Velo Valero Cycling team has put me in the kind of physical shape and given me the kind of self-confidence required to do these sorts of things. All of the rides we do throughout the year are so much fun, and we have so much great comaraderie on the road, and we're helping so many people affllicted with Diabetes and MS - but as an extremely important byproduct of all this, we are all getting healthier each day, and this allows us to lead richer, more fulfilling lives. Share this message with your friends, your family, and you co-workers, and ask them to come join us also - it's the best decision they will every make!
Sweaty, tired, but exhilerated to be at the top of the Tower of the Americas
Oh, yeah - another reason I'm doing the Bikram is my teenage daughter is doing it with me. I know she's close to leaving the nest soon, and every second I get to spend with her is precious - even if it's in a sweatbox struggling to not fall down during the tree pose. If V told me to walk the plank, I'd probably do it. It's a Dad thing...
...see ya' on the road!
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...We have a rare treat for you - a special Monday afternoon edition of the blog, because frankly, there's just so much going on, I couldn't pack it all into the morning blog.
It's Official - It's Now the Valero Tour de Cure
 Received this note from Board Member Sylvia "the Godmother" Rodriguez on Friday. Valero has signed up to be the Title Sponsor for the San Antonio Tour de Cure in 2009 - which means we are now the Title Sponsor for the two biggest biking events in South Texas (the Tour de Cure and the Bike to the Beach). This is from Ed Tijerina's column in the August 7th Express-News:
Folks with the American Diabetes Association just told us that Valero has committed to serve as the title sponsor of its big bicycle fundraiser. Now it's called the Valero Tour de Cure. The 2009 ride will happen May 30-31. Valero is the title sponsor of both major bicycle fundraisers — this one, and the Valero Bike to the Beach. (That one happens Oct. 4-5). So here's a high five to the company's CEO, Bill Klesse, and a recognition that this type of commitment to San Antonio.
Update from the newVcrew Ride
Received this update from Carl "Teddy Bear" Crawford, who led the newVcrew ride this weekend in Megan's absence.
The Sunday V Crew had a special guest on the ride this morning - Tony Ralf. We were all impressed with Tony's enthusiasm on the bike and he should have no problem completing the Bike to the Beach. We were missing one of our leaders this morning (Megan) but still had a total of 18 riders complete the 40+ miles through the rolling farmland just east of I-35 near Cibolo. For many of the riders this was their longest ride ever, including new rider Rao Kamma of Valero's IS department. He just purchased his first bike after using a loaner for a couple of weeks and will soon be getting new pedals to help him become a more efficient rider. Finally, we had one new rider (Hilda) from the newly formed Team Broadway (Broadway Bank).
Why we ride - This morning at the V Crew ride we had a very interesting encounter with a lady at the rest stop around mile 23. I was walking into the convenience store with Tony Ralf when a lady stopped us and asked if we were training for the Bike to the Beach. She indicated that she has MS and that her son rides for her during the ride. When we were leaving the parking lot Tony Ralf overheard her tell either her friend or relative that we were riding for her. Tony told me this a few miles after we started riding again. It gave me a wonderful feeling to know that we are making a difference in the lives of individuals living with MS and that we are riding for them. - Carl
The Crew lined up at the ride start. For more photos of the newVcrew, click here.
Tony's Blog
 Speaking of Mr. Ralf, he's actually maintaining a blog on his training for the Bike to the Beach. It's blocked on the Valero corporate network, but you should be able to get to it at home. The address of the site is http://paulineslasthurrah.blogspot.com/
Megan's Video Going National
The hits just keep coming. We were informed by folks at the South Texas Chapter of the MS Society that they were so impressed with Megan's "Why I Ride?" video that they have posted it to the home page of their web site - click here to view. They have forwarded the video to the National Chapter of the MS Society, to see if they can use it for the National Campaign. Hats off once again to Megan and to her videographer Gus V. for doing a masterful job on this.
We've Passed the 200 Rider Mark
As of Monday, we have officially topped the 200 rider mark. We are at 202 riders and counting, and almost $30,000 in fundraising (15% of our target of $200,000). To see the current totals, click here. If you plan on riding with Velo Valero in the Bike to the Beach and don't see your name on this list, please send an e-mail to Cindy Rodriguez at crodriguez@nmsslonestar.org and asked to be added to our team.
Article from Inside Valero on the Napa Tour de Cure
 The recognition continues to pour in from our spring campaign as a National Team for the American Diabetes Association (ADA). The following article is from Valero's Corporate Intranet, Inside Valero -
Valero Benicia employees showed their commitment to the community through participation in the Napa Tour de Cure in May. The Tour de Cure is an annual bicycle race that supports the American Diabetes Association. Riders are given the option of riding 10, 25, 50 or 100 miles through beautiful Napa Valley, Calif.
For each mile ridden during the family-friendly race, dollars are raised to support diabetes treatment, education and advocacy for adults and children, touching their lives in critically important ways.
Valero refinery employees were represented by 47 riders, including 16 riders from San Antonio, one from Wilmington, and two retirees. In all, nearly 2,000 cyclists participated. Benicia Refinery Team Captain Dan Rubio, Operations Superintendent, said the team collected over $13,000 in donations.
“We had great weather, though it was a little cool,” Rubio said. “I really thank all the riders who made this event so special. And I am very grateful to everyone who stepped forward to sponsor our team.”
Velo Valero National Team Captain Peter Ray, a Senior I/S Manager in San Antonio, said the team received praise from other Tour De Cure riders during the race. One rider said “she was going to buy gas only at Valero from now on,” Ray said.
“She said we were so polite on the road, including stopping to help a lady who crashed at some point,” Ray said. “Of course, I’d like to think it was all us ‘gentlemen who came up from Texas’ – as she described it – but a lot of it was due to Benicia Team Captain Dan Rubio. He led us in our pace line for most of the ride. It was one of those moments that made you feel proud to be part of the team and an employee of Valero.”
Krotz Springs Team Top Fundraiser in Baton Rouge Tour de Cure
 Finally, I received this note from my good friend Monika Harper, Captain of the Krotz Springs Refinery Team. The refinery was purchased by Alon earlier this year, but Monika and her wonderful team have a lifetime membership in Velo Valero.
Want you guys to see what we won. We were the top team at this year's St. Francisville Tour de Cure. I'm proudly displaying the trophy on my desk. I'm proud of it and proud of you guys for winning it. I'm especially proud because it was our last ride as employees of the same company. - Monika
Monika proudly displays the Top Team trophy
...see you on the road!
- Peter
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Good morning and happy Monday! ...I don't know about you, but I'm still recovering from watching the opening ceremony for the 2008 Olympics on Friday. What an incredible demonstration of what the human being and our technology can achieve. I recorded it in hi-def on the DVR and watched it again Saturday afternoon, and was even more amazed the second time. I was babysitting my nieces, and little two-year-old Caitlin, aka Baby Buddha, actually started crying when the approximately 2008 drummers began pounding away in fierce and menacing precision. ...I spent a lot of time watching the Games this weekend, as I will the next two weeks. As I mentioned last week, I'm a huge sports fan, and an even bigger fan of the Olympics. Every time a world record is broken, we are pushing the boundaries of what the human being can achieve. For those of you riding with Velo Valero in the Bike to the Beach this October - friends, this is your Olympic moment. Push yourself just like the Olympians are. If you've never done the ride before, focus on finishing all the miles on both days and finishing strong. If you've done the ride before, focus on finishing in less time than you did in previous years. If you raised the minimum last year ($300), push yourself to raise a little more. You can do it, and we are here to help.
Weekend Rides
 ...Our weekend rides started Thursday night when we combined the Hillfest and the Family Friendly into one ride, something we'll do on the first Thursday of each month leading up to the Bike to the Beach. We had almost 40 people show up, which is a great turnout for a weekday ride. Tony Ralf showed up in a Velo Valero jersey and did the ride, which was great to see. My son Alex actually came with me and did his first Velo ride. Unfortunately, he had some mechanical problems right from the onset that caused us to separate from the pack, but he and I enjoyed a great one-on-one training session on the hills, where I had the opportunity to teach him a little gearing technique. Afterwards, we all headed to Spechts to listen to the band and enjoy some libations and pub grub. Chuck's daughter was in town with her new baby, and I don't think I've ever seen The Rock so proud as when he was holding his granddaughter.
On Friday, Alex and I, along with one of his friends, ventured to Government Canyon State Natural Area to do a little mountain biking. GC is almost 9,000 acres of wilderness just outside of San Antonio, and has a great set of beginner trails for neophyte mountain bikers - single track, but fairly flat and smooth, with just a few technical challenges. Unfortunately, Alex did his first endo, and managed to scrape his arm pretty badly and bend his rear wheel beyond recognition. But, there was no permanent damage to him or the bike, and he and I are both eager to do it again.
On Saturday, I joined John Tension, aka the Punisher, for 56 amazing miles on the Southside of town, including a glimpse of the legendary Freaknut in Floresville. The first 36 miles of this ride were a Hammerfest (pun intended - see below) where we averaged over 20 mph and truly enjoyed the rolling countryside (except, or course, for the scent of the stockyards south of Sutherland Springs) . It's after we passed through Lavernia and headed south into the fierce, hot headwind that the ride become a challenge. Our speed decreased, our tight pace line began to experience huge gaps, and it became a game of survival. I was never so happy as when I climbed that last hill on 1604 that allowed me to coast into the Park and Ride and call it a day. As I saw rider after rider stagger in, it became more and more evident to me. Cycling in Texas in August is a necessary evil in order to properly train for the Bike to the Beach. To do it safely, you must follow three simple rules - hydrate before the ride, during the ride, and after the ride. Sweating is a good thing, and you can't do enough of it. If you stop sweating, stop cycling - find some shade and get some fluids into you immediately.
Riders pose by the open pit barbecue in Sutherland Springs. Note the price of gas on the sign - $1.29.
I'll have the update from the newVcrew later in the week - I'm sure they had a great turnout, as always.
As always, to see our schedule of upcoming rides, click here. To see all the photos from our 2008 Training Rides, click here.
Hammerfest
In addition to the Hotter N Hell in Wichita Falls on August 23, there's another great event Velo Valero will participate in to get you ready for the Bike to the Beach. This is the 2nd Annual Lavernia Hammerfest, which takes place on Saturday, September 13. This is a great one-day ride close to San Antonio that has distances of 34, 53, and 65 miles. The terrain is rolling countryside similiar to what we encounter on Day 1 of the BTTB. There is no fundraising required, but there is a registration fee - $25 if you register before August 16, $30 if you register afterwards. If you are a new or nearly new rider, the Hammerfest is a great way to get used to the logistics of starting lines, rest stops, etc, on a smaller scale before the Bike to the Beach. Note: The Hammerfest will be our team Training Ride that weekend.
Last Week to Order Jerseys
I know I sound like a broken record on this, but hey, it's my job!
The deadline for ordering jerseys is a week from Friday on August 15th. The cost of the jersey is $70, and if you are an out of town person participating in the Bike to the Beach, we won't ship the jersey to you - you'll need to pick it up at the Friday Night Expo before the ride - otherwise, we'll mail it to you. Jerseys will arrive mid-September, prior to our Fall MS rides such as the Bike to the Beach and the Bay to Bay. Remember - all riders participating in an organized fundraising event with Velo Valero need to wear a current team jersey each day of the event. We don't ask you to pay dues to be on this team - we just ask you to buy and wear the best looking jersey on the road (which you get to keep afterwards!!) To access the jersey order site, click here.
'2008 (for far!) Year in Review Video - Every Day is a Winding Road
To get the Board of Directors pumped up for all the work we have to do to get ready for the Bike to the Beach in October, I put together a 2008 (so far!) Year in Review Video that documents all the incredible things we've done as a team this year - from climbing Enchanted Rock and the Tower of the Americas, to participating in Tour de Cure rides all across the country, to completing an Iron Man in less than 13 hours (Kirstin), to cranking out tunes at dawn for the nuptials of Pat and Diane (El Hefe). We'll watch the video on Luz' 120" mega-screen during our Board Meeting in her legendary and completely over the top Happy Room on Thursday. To see the | |
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