Happy Hump Day!  Sorry this did not get sent out in the morning as I usually try and do, but it's been crazy busy lately...

WOW!  El Hefe Grande Donates 100 Large to MS

...It's the only word I can use to describe the news we received at the Club 100 and Team Captain event at Pappasitos on Monday, September 15th.  Valero CEO and Velo Valero team member Bill Klesse announced that he was donating $100,000 to the MS Society on behalf of the Bike to the Beach.  This is the single largest single donation in the history of the event, and is yet more overwhelming evidence of his commitment to the cause.  Bill has shown this kind of commitment the last few years by donating generously and training and riding in the event, but this takes it to a whole new level.  (To be quite honest, it was one of the few times I have ever seen Tony Ralf, VP of the MS Lone Star Chapter, speechless - although it didn't last too long).   Afterwards a bunch of us shared a meal of fine Mexican cuisine at the restaurant, and I was just blown away by the energy gathered around that table - I just can't wait until the Bike to the Beach, my friends!

I have a few of the pictures from this historic event below...to see them all, click here. 

Billboard announcing the event

Bill at the podium with Tony, Sylvia, and Andrea

A very happy Tony shows off the check

Bill and Tony share a laugh before the cameras

Jacque scrambles to get into the team photo

Training Rides this Week

There are 17 days left until the Bike to the Beach, so hopefully everyone riding is in a good training groove.   We have 4 training options for you -

• This Wednesday we have both the Hillfest and the Family Friendly ride scheduled. 
• On Saturday, John Tenison will lead riders from downtown Castroville for a 62 miler (with optional miles for those who need it - i.e., all of us).  Wheels up at 7:30 am.
• On Sunday, the newVcrew ride is once again scheduled for a 50+ rolling miles on the East side with a 7 am start from Cibolo City Hall.

As always, check our Event Schedule for all the details.

Jerseys Have Shipped

  Patricia Jones informed me today that the jerseys have shipped (woo-hoo!).  They went out two-day ground this morning, so hopefully we will get 'em on Friday.  We'll then need to validate then sort the shipment as soon as it comes in.  I'll have more news on this later in the week. 

Lunch and Learn and Packet Pick-up

Our next and final Lunch and Learn is scheduled for Wednesday, September 24th, from 11:45 to 1:00 pm.  This event will be in the private dining room at Valero HQ.  I'd like all first year riders to attend this event, because it will be a Final Briefing for the Bike to the Beach.  I'll have all the Board Members not selling t-shirts (see below) present to answer questions, plus we'll have Cindy "C Rod" Rodriguez, Development Director for the Bike to the Beach, present to give us the inside scoop on the ride.   

Also on Wednesday, September 24th, from 4:30 pm to 7:30 pm, we'll have a special packet pick-up in the cafeteria of Valero HQ.  At this event you'll be able to turn in any money you have collected to MS, pick up your event packet, and if you've raised the minimum for the event ($300), pick up your awesome Velo Valero goodie bag.  We'll also have team jerseys to distribute fro the folks who ordered them.

Fundraisers

The Velo Valero fundraising machine cranks on!

• On Wednesday, September 17th, we held our bake sale at Valero HQ and raised over $1600!  Hats off to all the Board Members who volunteered to help, especially Andrea Shull who coordinated the event.  Also thanks to the 150 (!!) volunteers who baked items for us to sell, and Bob Amos and the Valero Vanguards who helped out once again.  Finally, thanks to Sean at the Credit Union for kicking in $250, even though there was nothing left to buy!
• We'll begin selling tickets for this year's raffle next week, also. Matt from Bicycle Heaven has donated a some great items, plus (I think) there's a Karaoke machine for you budding American Idolists.  Stay tuned!
• We'll begin selling our team t-shirts to folks who aren't riding or volunteering for the event the week of September 22nd.   Our friends in Graphic Design have once again done a bang up job on the design - I guarantee when it makes its world debut in a week or so, you will be impressed.  Once again, the deal for Valero HQ employees is that if you buy the shirt, you can wear it with jeans on the Friday before the ride (October 3rd).  (NOTE: All riders and volunteers get the shirt for free, and can wear jeans on Friday also if they wear the shirt!).  So, encourage your co-workers to buy one of these incredible t-shirts to support you and the event!
• Finally, we have a handful of team jerseys left to sell.  The extra jerseys we sell contribute to our team fundraising, so the more we sell, the more we can donate to MS.  Send an e-mail to cycling@valero.com if you are interested in purchasing one of the remaining jerseys.

More of Velo Valero Around the World

Hammerhead Alan Dedman from the Wilmington Refinery sent me a few photos from his recent vacation to the Great American West.  Here's one of him at Mt. Rushmore -

Too see more of the 2008 photos from our Velo Valero Around the World Gallery, click here.

...that's it for now!  Hillfest is coming up quick, and I have to get ready!  See ya' on the road!

- Peter