April 2009 - Posts

• So many things so little time

  Just when I thought I would have a few free days this month, something comes up and before I know it all my weekends are full. Why should May be any different? Rider Hotline Reminder: (210) 345-BIKE  Because of the Swine Flu outbreak, please be sure to call the rider Hotline prior to departing for any training rides during the next few weeks. If we have any cancellations, the ride leader may not have time to update the calendar of events on the website. If possible any cancellations will be available on the hotline at least one hour prior to the start of the ride.   Only 32 days until the Tour de Cure  Friday is the last day to turn in your supplemental registration forms. We currently have 91 riders registered on the team and we are still growing. Fundraising is showing no signs of slowing down, but we are still a long way from our goal with not many days until the big San Antonio event....so let's keep the $$ rolling in!   Sorry I didn’t get the blog out earlier this week. Every time I was going to push send, something new needed to be added. Once again, this was the case this morning (4/30). I received an email from the American Diabetes Association informing us that Velo Valero is raked as one of the top fundraising teams in the nation. **WAY TO GO TEAM**    Please contact Erica Bayless with the American Diabetes Association if you are participating in multiple tour events this year. email: ebayless@diabetes.org Tour de CureList of national and multi-site teams: 4/30/09     Team Name Fundraising Total #Teams # Mbrs Average Goal Gold's Gym $73,354.68 48 576 $127.35 $345,500 Valero $43,918.68 9 127 $345.82 $83,950 Schwab $37,716.00 9 133 $283.58 $105,800 J&J $31,581.00 13 178 $177.42 $171,150 Lockheed $26,936.97 6 219 $123.00 $115,250 Amylin $24,054.00 8 83 $289.81 $55,100 Cisco $23,576.11 8 149 $155.81 $168,850 AT&T $20,909.69 22 175 $119.48 $68,400 Dignity Memorial $16,223.00 8 47 $345.17 $49,000 Lilly $13,975.00 4 84 $166.37 $107,850 KPMG $7,062.00 7 20 $353.10 $20,000 Amgen $6,490.00 4 35 $185.43 $58,500 Battelle $4,612.13 2 43 $107.26 $21,500 Novo Nordisk $2,555.00 13 37 $69.05 $28,050 Deloitte $2,325.00 4 23 $101.09 $52,000 Brown & Caldwell $1,320.00 2 15 $88.00 $6,750 Bank of America $668.00 2 15 $44.53 $25,000             Totals: $337,277.26 169     $1,482,650   The starting line from the 2005 Tour de Cure - We have come a long way baby! This Sunday, May 3rd, we will have a team riding in the 2009 - Yountville / Napa Valley - Tour de Cure. I wish them well and ask for you to keep them in our thoughts and prayers for a safe ride. We all will especially be thinking of Carl "Teddy Bear" Crawford. "GOOD LUCK!" A few of the 2008 Napa Valley Velo Valero participants Cruiser Bike Ride This Friday: The fun never ends in San Antonio, the party capital of the universe!   This weekend there is a Cruiser Bike Ride scheduled to leave from the legendary Sam's Burger Joint at 08:00 pm.     The gang will once again visit a wide variety of downtown hangouts, and weave in and out of the festive crowd at the Southside First Friday. CYCLIST HIT ON BLANCO: I had heard through the cycling grapevine that a rider was struck by a vehicle on Friday while riding on Blanco. I was able to contact his wife and to my surprise I know the family. Our sons were in the same cub-scout den a few years ago. Maybe some of you know him as well. Here is an email that I received from his wife Robin. Andrea- Thank you so much for your email! What a surprise and a welcomed one at that! We are still trying to maintain some kind of normalcy. Brent is a professor at UTSA and was riding his bike to work from our home in Timberwood Park. He's done this 2-3 times a week for years. He wasn't worried about the construction and really has had only a few minor incidents with drivers honking and yelling as he rode. Friday morning he was riding the new sidewalk and as it was ending, he need to get to the south bound lane, he began to cross the northbound lane. From what he says he had plenty of room to get into his lane. Apparently, an SUV was in the space and hit him. He did not go under the truck. I got a call from the officer to come and pick him up and when I got there he had already been transported to North Central Baptist. When I got NCB they were already making plans to transport him as he had significant injuries. After a CAT scan at University hospital, his injuries were 3 broken ribs, bruised upper right lung, a small laceration on his liver, skull fracture and some blood on the brain. Oh, and can't forget about the road rash from head to toe. I can't imagine the injuries if he had been riding without a helmet. I have to say the folks at University are amazing. Brent is doing well. His ribs and head give him the most trouble. He is now at Methodist in the medical center. I will let him know you are thinking of him and know we think of all bike riders when they're out on the roads. It's so scary! Again, thank you so much for the well wishes. It means a lot. Robin Nowak   BPMS150 Houston to Austin Ride:  The 25th anniversary of their ride was a little bit of a let down last week. I was so looking forward to the ride and even recruited a few other Velo rides to participate in the event with me. After all it was going to be the 25th anniversary and it should be a great event. (The two other Velo riders were unable to participate as they were in Dallas).  As most of you have heard by now, it was a total rain out for day one. It's now a one day 80 mile event leaving from LaGrange's town square at 8:00am on Sunday morning. Riders would be coming from every direction, and they eventually engulfed this small quiet town. By the end of the morning nearly, 11,000 riders found their way to the ride start. If that wasn't enough, the entire fleet of cyclist were stuck waiting on the 8:00am morning train that arrived right on time. Luckily Carl and I were well on our way as we headed out at 7:15am to miss the massive congestion. About 10 miles into the ride, I lost my Oakley sunglasses. The wind ripped open my raincoat and picked the glasses right out of my pocket. A fellow rider yelled out and when I found them, they were a casualty of the ride. A car had run over them and the only thing left was the lenses. Folded in half but otherwise still intact. Once again, the wind was a force to be reckoned with, and it was there upfront right in our face the entire way!  Not a single moment of reprieve would we feel during the entire 80 miles. We decided to do the long route and get a break from the wind on the beautiful park road between Bastrop and Beauscher State Parks. It was going to be the highlight of the ride. Well for the first mile or so... Then I realized we are on a road that had been hammered by rain the entire day before. Mud, pot holes, branches, crazy cyclists, and the never ending hills. Hill after hill, one right after the other, this reprieve from the wind had turned into the longest 11 miles of my life. Once out of the park, the wind took its toll on me, and, at mile 50, my legs started to cramp. Carl was a great sport as he pulled all the way to the next rest stop. I was able to refuel and take a few meds.  5 miles later I felt like a new person. The wind died down just a little, cramps were gone, then it hit me...Carl had talked the whole entire way!  He spoke to every single rider that we passed. He would say "Hello, how are you doing, or it's a little windy today". By mile 70, I wanted to duck tape his mouth shut, but he was my ride home from Austin. All kidding aside, we had a great time, even with all the obstacles along the way! The MS Society did a great job as the logistics of Friday and Saturday had to have been a nightmare. I look forward to participating in this event next year and hope that a few of you will consider joining us. Click here to see all of the the pictures from the ride. Rider on the BPMS150 get's a helping hand. (love the sign in the background) Luling and BBQ ride: A special thanks goes out to Board Member David "Guido" Gross for organizing the Sunday ride from Luling, with the BBQ detour. We had a fantastic ride and the BBQ was the icing on the cake. The weather held out, and we road most of the ride under a cloudy ski with the threat of rain looming in the air. Again it turned out to be a windy ride, but I think we have come to expect it. Click here to see the pictures of the ride. Velo Valero on the Valero Corporate Web Site  The Velo Valero cycling team makes the volunteer page on the company website. Click here to see the photo. Update from El Hefe, Retired Velo Valero Team Captain and Slacker Extraordinaire  Yes, I was actually seen on a bike yesterday during the Hillfest.    I remembered to bring all my equipment, and even showed up on time.  But friends, I'm really out of practice and it showed.  For 10 grueling minutes I heroically kept up with hammerheads Chuck, Luis, Lori, Scott, and Ray, and then was unceremoniously dropped.  I met up with them again at the C-Store on Scenic loop, and did hang another 15 minutes with them, but was then dropped again.   The ride back to Chase Hill had all the elements of Wes Craven horror film - brutal head winds with no pace line to provide protection from, and all sorts of loose gravel on Cielo Vista where they are resurfacing the road (we probably need to avoid this for a few weeks until the work is done).   Finally, as I was making that final climb on Babcock before turning on to Chase Hill, my chain locked up and I fell over.   But, despite all of this, it felt really good to be back on a bike again!  I can't wait until the Data Center project is over at work, and my weekends are once again free so I can enjoy the comraderie and exhileration of Velo Valero on the road once more!     - Peter Best Wishes for a safe weekend, Andrea                 Posted Apr 28 2009, 01:52 PM by wild thing with no comments

• Spring Showers bring May Flowers

  Hopefully all the rain will make for a beautiful ride and not fields of brown. Only 38 days until the Tour de Cure! Weekend Rides Tens of thousand of people (and their dogs) will be partaking in the Fiesta events which are well underway with paticipants drinking, eating, and dancing like there is no tomorrow. However, the Velo Valero Cycling Team always seems to find a reason to ride. So this weekend is no exception. We hope that you will find time to join us in at least one of the two scheduled rides this weekend.   Friday Fiesta Ride: Will start from Spetch’s Restaurant with wheels down at 2:00pm. Several route options will be available and of course some of us plan on going to Spetch’s for dinner after the ride.   Just hanging out waiting on a few riders during one of our fun Spetch rides.   Sunday: 8:00am ride starts in Luling and Lockhart BBQ:  Contact David Gross david.gross@valero.com if you are interested.  We can meet at his house at 6:45am  to consolidate into fewer cars or at the Gate for Settlement Inn at Patriot Ranch (IH10 E, exit Hwy 80, go right and it is on the left about 3 miles).  There is an electronic gate and we can park our cars by the pond.  Route will be 39 miles toward Gonzales and through Palmetto State Park.  Followed by a detour to Lockart for some good BBQ!  Anyone interested in departing from David's will need to contact him for his address/directions.  Please arrive on time to ensure a 7:00am departure.   David with a few of his favorite wheels. Tour de Cure Update: We currently have 87 registered riders and possibly will be the biggest team again this year. With a little luck and a few more riders, my goal of having 100 riders this year is within reach. If you know anyone interested in riding it's not too late to join the team. Everything that you need to know regarding the ride is on the Tour de Cure link on the calendar of events. Please review and if you still have questions please do not hesitate in contacting one of the board of directors. All of us are here to help and if we can't answer your question will do our best in directing you to someone who can. Supplemental Registration Forms are due by May 1st. (reserve your dorm room and transportation back to San Antonio) Don't miss this deadline or you might be camping out in the courtyard in San Marcus and riding your bike back from Austin. May 1st is also the day we will be drawing the winners of our Tour de Cure Raffle. Please be sure to turn in your tickets prior to the drawing at 11:00am. Drawing will be help in the main lobby for those who wish to be present. Packet Pick-Up is at the Valero Headquarters on May 21st from 4:00pm - 8:00pm. Reminder you need to have your $150 minimum fundraising either already submitted on line or turn in during packet pickup. The Tour de Cure ride is fast approaching with only 38 days left, are you going to be ready? There are still plenty of opportunities to get out and train with the team. It is a great chance to find someone to ride with, plus it's more fun to ride with a few than to ride alone. This will ensure a much better ride. Thanks and see ya soon, - Andrea   Posted Apr 21 2009, 10:31 AM by wild thing with no comments

• Countdown to the Cure

  We have a new addition to the website for non cycling events. "My Adventures" will allow you to add an event and post your own pictures. This will limit the events on the blog to just cycling but still allow all of us to share our adventures. I hope you will take advantage of this new addition to the site. Information on how to post your event is availalbe once you click on the link. If you have any trouble please contact me at andrea.shull@valero.com. Be sure to check out the Marketplace every now and then. Currently we have a few riders looking for bikes, jersey's, and a ride home after the Tour de Cure. This is a good place to post your wants and needs and hopefully the opportunity to help out a fellow team memeber.The Famous Luckenbach   Ride Scheduled for this Saturday  On Saturday, (4/18) John will be leading the legendary Luckenbach ride - 65 miles (map) of beautiful scenery with some hills to climb and view it from. We start at 7:30 AM from the parking lot adjacent to the former Fiserv Building in Boerne (map). For those who prefer a less strenuous ride, we'll also offer 45 mile and 35 mile options to Comfort and Waring respectively (map). Come out and join us. Be sure to continue to check out the calendar of events for all the lates updates regarding our training rides. Luling ride and Lockhart BBQ scheduled for April 26th Contact David Gross david.gross@valero.com if you are interested.  We can meet at his house at 6:45am to consolidate into fewer cars or at the Gate for Settlement Inn at Patriot Ranch (IH10 E, exit Hwy 80, go right and it is on the left about 3 miles).  There is an electronic gate and we can park our cars by the pond.  Route will be 39 miles toward Gonzales and through Palmetto State Park.  Followed by a detour for those wanting some good BBQ! in Lockart. (cost of the BBQ is the responsibility of the riders) Anyone interested in departing from David's will need to contact him for his address/directions.  Please arrive on time to ensure a 7:00am departure. David still has a smile on his face after 100 miles in the saddle during last year's MS ride Countdown to the Tour de Cure  Before you know it we are going to be heading for Austin with a short layover in San Marcus. We will be spinning our wheels 150 miles, getting up at the crack of dawn, and eating  who only knows how many nasty energy bars along the way. Some people think I’m crazy and ask “Why are you doing this”? We all have different reasons why we ride. For the health benefits, the enjoyment of being outdoors, spending time with friends, and maybe some ride just to go tubing down the river. No matter what the reason, we all are participating in the Tour De Cure because we care. It doesn’t matter if you are a rider, a volunteer, or have donated money; we are all part of a joint effort to raise awareness and money for those affected by diabetes. Currently we have 138 registered riders nationwide, have already raised over $40,000, and are currently participating in 9 Tour de Cure events across the country. We are on our way but still have a long way to go.   Fundraising reminder The American Diabetes Association requires all riders to have the minimum $150 either turned in on-line or at packet pickup. In addition, all Velo Valero Bike Team members will need to have their rider number prior to receiving the team goodie bag.  Don't miss your first chance to get your Tour de Cure Packet and Velo Valero Team Goodie Bag: Valero will have an onsite packet pickup on May 21st from 4:00pm - 8:00pm. Located at the company headquarters. Click here for more details. Have you reserved your dom room yet? If the answer is NO, you only have a few days left. Click here to access supplemental registration form. Deadline is May 1st.     Fundraising “Superstars” (as of April 13th) Participant               Event Name                                  Gift Amount H David Sloan San Antonio, TX $14,495.00 David Pappal San Antonio, TX $5,635.00 Donald Cuffel Napa Valley Tour de Cure $2,915.00 Velo Valero San Antonio, TX $1,656.71 Angelle StGermain San Antonio, TX $1,210.00 Kent Hamel San Antonio, TX $1,080.00 Peter Ray San Antonio, TX $1,000.00 Matthew Wygant San Antonio, TX $648.00 Dennis Ross St. Francisville, LA $601.01 Brian Smith Greater Philadelphia Tour de Cure     Tour de Cure Natioanl Team Summary   Captain Gift Total Event Description Amy Bryce $1,595.00 PhoenixMaricopaCnty-0901 Andrea Shull $33.199.71 BexarCntyTX-0901 Dennis Ross $560.00 W Feliciana Cnty LA Tour-0901 Steven Campanelli $970.00 PhladelphiaPA-0901 Mark Schneeweis $230.00 PhladelphiaPA-0901 David Sloan $10.00 FortWorthTX-Tour-0901 Dan Rubio $3,741.00 NapaCountyCA-0901 David Gross $110.00 NapaCountyCA-0901 Bob Finley $25.00 OklahomaCntyCncl-0901 Totals: 40,440.71$     Chris working hard to make sure we have a great meal after the ride. Sometimes I think it's easier to ride, I know they get up way earlier than I do on Sundary morning to cook breakfast. Easter Hill Country Bike Tour  This past weekend, the San Antonio Wheelmen hosted the Easter Hill Country Bike Tour in Kerrville.  I went up to Kerrville with fellow Velo Valero members Patricia Jones and Andrea Shull.  It was good to see some of the familiar faces like Terry Glaser (former Velo Valero team captain), Cheryl, Vicki and the other San Antonio Wheelmen that helped get me into the sport of cycling.  The Wheelmen did a great job this weekend!!!!  Friday’s ride was great, even with the wind.  Have you noticed how windy it has been this winter?  With the hills and headwind, it took me a little over two hours to go 25 miles.  Friday’s ride was a little over 48 miles averaging 12.7 miles per hour.  On Saturday, I met Bettina, a good friend that I met on the Bike Ride Across Tennessee that came to Kerrville from Minnesota to do the ride.  We started the ride from the YO Ranch hotel just off Kerrville’s main street for another great day or riding with the wind and hills.  **Advertisement – I am considering doing the BRAT again this year from September 13th – September 19th.  If you are interested in a great fully supported 7-day bike ride, please let me know.  This year’s ride will not be as hilly as the prior two rides, but should be a lot of fun.**   Thanks, Carl Crawford   This was a beautiful ride, hilly, but beautiful....   Clike here to see more pictures of the ride. Velo Valero Mountain Biking Team   We now have extended to more than road riding and would like to welcome the "MBT memebers" to Velo Valero. This Thursday (April 16th), they will be riding O.P. Schnabel Park at 5:45. Please join them after work for a casual training ride and learn more about our group, how to take care of and maintain your bike, and information on mountain biking in San Antonio.  They generally ride every Tuesday and Thursday at the same time and usually decide on the next location at the end of the ride. On various Saturdays they schedule special rides in locations in town or outside the city. For our next distance event we would like to get a group out to do some mountain biking at Pedernales Falls (maybe even some camping!). More information on that in the coming week.      O.P. Schnabel Meeting Place  We will be meeting this Thursday in the parking lot by the pool in the Parkwood sub-division off Prue road. Take a right at the first stop sign by the school and go down the hill, the pool parking lot is on the right. Contact Will for help with directions or any questions.    Will Kinsey, William.kinsey@valero.com, 210.296.5512 (cell) See You on the Road! Andrea Posted Apr 13 2009, 10:19 AM by wild thing with no comments