Velo Valero

 Benefits of Joining Velo Valero for the 2008 Bike to the Beach

Written by Peter Ray/Patricia Jones

Responsibilities

• Practice safe cycling techniques at all times, including wearing a helmet
• Wear a current team jersey during organized events such as the Bike to the Beach.  Jerseys cost $70, and can be ordered from the team web site. There are no other fees associated with joining the team.
• Raise at least the minimum, which for the 2008 Bike MS: Valero Bike to the Beach is $300.  (You are always welcome to raise more!)

Benefits

• The distinction of being part of a south Texas cycling tradition - we have been the largest team and top fundraising team for years in events such as the ADA Tour de Cure and the Bike to the Beach.   To see a video of the history of our team's participation in the Bike to the Beach, click here.
• Throughout the year, we provide Lunch and Learns on a variety of topics, including How to Buy a Bike, Nutrition for Endurance Athletes, and Cycling Techniques.  We typically film these events and post them to the Video Gallery on our web site. 
• Being a member of Velo Valero gets you discounts at a number of San Antonio area bike shops.
• In the weeks leading up to the Bike to the Beach, we offer training rides throughout the week in the greater San Antonio area to help you prepare for the event, and to allow you to meet your fellow Velo Valerians.  We offer SAG support during our bigger training rides.   Click here for our training schedule.
• Goodie bag for the ride, including a team t-shirt, socks,  whistle, tattoos, wrist band for meals in the Valero tent in Beeville, laminated emergency Valero contact list card, etc.
• Luggage transport from San Antonio (AT&T Center) to Coastal College in Beeville...your bags will be under the Valero big tent when you arrive in Beeville.
• Luggage transport from Beeville to Corpus Christi (Whataburger Stadium)
• If you have preregistered with Valero to ride back to San Antonio on Sunday from Corpus, then we provide shuttle transport for you, your luggage and bike back to the AT&T Center.
• We provide a sleeping tent in Beevile for folks to stay in.  Space is allocated on a first come, first serve basis to preregistered riders.  Riders must provide their own sleeping gear.
• We provide our own SAG vehicles for our riders only during the ride.  The laminated cards will have cell phone numbers of the designated SAG drivers if you run into trouble.  Please note that our SAG vehicles are NOT intended to provide mechanical assistance (such as flats).  They are really there for support should you not be able to physically ride any further.
• At the Day One stopping point in Beeville, we provide the Valero Tent City, which will have refreshments when you arrive, and will be the site of our famous barbeque dinner for all team members and their families.  We also have a couple of massage therapists available under a separate tent for a 20 minute massage (costs is $1 per minute).  And we have the Saturday Night Team Experience, which you definitely want to be part of!
• Most importantly, the best benefit of being a member of Velo Valero is TEAM CAMARADERIE before, during and after the ride.