Good morning and happy Monday! I'm going to keep this short and sweet because in an hour or so the first episode in what promises to be a glorious a new season of my current favorite show Entourage is on, and I ain't missin' it!!
Weekend Rides and Pool Party
On Saturday I did 30 miles of the hills on the Northwest part of town as part of the annual Bike MS Club 100 ride. This is a social ride that Bike MS does every year for the top 100 fundraisers and the Team Captains in the event. Afterwards we all went to Pappasito's Legendary Tex-Mex Cantino for more schmoozing and great food, courtesy of Manager Chris Shaw who is a great supporter of MS, in addition to being one bodacious cyclist. Tony Ralf was there, but he did not do the ride; he said he was "saving himself" for the Tour de Pink on Sunday in Houston. All I know is I saw him during the ride getting very cozy with a very pink bike...
T Ralf caught red handed with one very pink bike at the Club 100
On Saturday, John Tenison led folks for routes of various distances from Judson High School. This flat to rolling ride is one we typically do this time of year, as we transition from the hills and thrills of the Hill Country to the farmland and endless miles on the East side that prepares us for the terrain of the Bike to the Beach. Afterwards, a subset of the riders headed over to David Gross' newly renovated "Club Guido" for good times, a dip in the pool, and a peek at his incredible new, hi-tech toilet.
2005-2006 Team Captain Laura, Emma, and Andrea
Guests enjoying the tropical ambience of Club Guido
On Sunday, I joined over 20 members of the newVcrew on a 50 miler on the East side of town. I am very impressed with what Megan, Carl, and Tanya have put together with these rides. With the NVC, along with Andrea's Family Friendly rides on Wednesday, we have managed to provide a pretty good new rider program for folks new to the sport and our team. This may sound simple, but it is one of the hardest things we do each year, and I'm so proud of what we've accomplished in 2008. The first couple of long, group rides for a new rider is a make or break time. If we can provide a positive experience, we might turn them into a lifelong participant in our sport. If we mess it up, then maybe the one or two rides they do is all they will ever do. Hats off to all the leaders who have worked to make these rides successful this year. And, of course - hats off to all the new additions to the team that are gearing up for their first big ride to the beach in October!
NVC riders on the road
Potential recruit spotted in McQueeny...
...Carl wastes no time in making his recruiting pitch
Poth Ride to Remember
Also on Satuday, Carl "Teddy Bear" Crawford joined Board Member Eddie Gamez in the city of Poth for the first annual RIde to Remember. Here's his update:
This was the first year for the Ride to Remember in the city of Poth, which is just south of San Antonio and is one of the cities we pass through on the Bike to the Beach. The ride was very well organized with plenty of rest stops. There were plenty of rolling hills along the route. There were six Velo Valero Riders at the ride including Eddie from Corpus, Bernie, and Gracie and her husband from Three Rivers. Also, Annette Gorzell in Valero's Corporate Accounting department was there volunteering with her husband and all 3 of her kids did the ride. This is a great tune-up for the Bike MS: Valero Bike to the Beach. - Carl
Carl and Eddie pose with team members and volunteers in front of the Team Truck in Poth
Hammerfest
The 2nd Annual La Vernia Hammerfest is coming next Saturday on 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 pre-registration fee ($40 on the day of the event). 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: It won't be that much smaller. I talked to one of the organizers and they are expecting almost 2000 riders!!!) As I've been saying for weeks, I'd like a sea of Velo Valero colors at the ride start! Note: The Hammerfest will be our team Training Ride that weekend. For more information, click here.
Entourage is Back, Baby!
OK, that's it for tonight. The first episode of the new season of HBO's Entourage is only minutes away, and I need to make my way to the couch and settle in for the ride. I've always been a huge cinephile, and I love this show because it gives you a bird's eye view of how the movie biz works with some really amazing characters, particularly the highly combustible and unscrupulous talent agent Ari Gold played (by the incredible Jeremy Piven).
...see you on the road!
- El "Yeah, I Tried the Toilet and It Was Pretty Cool" Hefe