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Conoco Phillips Training Series

Team Shell is one of a few select teams that take part in the Conoco Phillips (CP) training series each year. It consists of 12 weeks of training rides, fully supported with rest stops and SAG (support and gear) vehicles that offer assistance in case of mechanical trouble.  The routes vary each Saturday, with two or more mileage options available each week.  If you are a beginner, you also get 2 BONUS weeks to get you accustomed to cycling on roads and to feel comfortable on your bicycle.  The 12-week series is an excellent way to prepare for the MS150.  You'll cover flat terrain to gentle rolling hills to some pretty challenging climbs progressively as you build your endurance and muscles.  There are also excellent maps, elevation profiles, and weekly emails about the upcoming Saturday ride.  Also, you will be able to meet many of your Shell teammates, as well as the friendly Conoco Phillips, HP, Apache & BP folks, among others.  The number of cyclists is largely determined by the weather, and usually sits around 600-700, but can be up to 1000 - still quite a bit smaller than the classic charity rides (which can get up to 5000 as the MS150 nears). 

CP Training Series Ride Schedule

Below is them most recent schedule for the 2010 rides showing start location and mileage. Normally the rides are on Saturday, starting at 8:00am; exceptions are indicated in bold red.  More information for each of the CP Training rides will be made available on the Conoco Philips Bike Club website (Click here). Starting this year the rides are on Google Calendar. Currently the 2010 rides are listed but links to ride details and maps have not yet been posted. The exact start times, directions, and route notes will be added as we get closer to the beginning of the training series. They also plan to include GPS maps this year.

1/9, Sat, 8:00am - Brookshire/Fulshear, Tx Dept of Human Services - New Rider Ride (14 mi)
1/16, Sat, 8:00am - Brookshire/Monaville, Royal HS - New Rider Ride (22 mi)
1/23, Sat, 7:30am - Katy/South, Katy Mills Mall - MS Kick-off (28/37 mi)
1/30, Sat, 7:30am - Katy/North, Katy Mills Mall (36/45 mi)
2/6, Sat, 7:00am - Katy (South and opt North), Katy Mills Mall (25/37/45/70 mi) - Partner with "Puddle for the Duck", a MS Recommended Ride
2/13, Sat, 8:00am - Hempstead, Waller County Fairgrounds  (23/41/56/70 mi) - Partner with "Pedaling  the Prairie" a MS Recommended Ride
2/20, Sat, 8:00am - Willis, Brabham Middle School (38/54 mi)
2/27, Sat, 8:00am - Team Shell Ride, Katy Mills Mall - Sun &Ski (44/63 mi)
2/28, Sun, 8:00am - Katy, Katy Mills Mall (30/37/57) - Partner with Spring Breakaway
3/6, Sat, 8:00am - Columbus, Beasons' Park (47/57 mi)
3/13, Sat, 8:00am - Fayetteville, Town Square (42/62 mi)
3/20, Sat, 8:00am - Cat Spring, Cat Spring Social Hall (44/63 mi)
3/27, Sat, 8:00am - Chappell Hill, Chappell Hill (25/45/62 mi) - Partner with Head for the Hills Ride
4/3, Sat, 8:00am - New Waverly/Huntsville, New Waverly HS (38/57 mi)
4/10, Sat, 7:30am - New Ulm, Fireman's Park (41/51 mi)
Sat & Sun Apr 17-18: THE 2010 MS150!!!!

Important!!!: You will be expected to carpool to limit the number of vehicles converging on the small towns we cycle from. And plan to arrive at least 45 minutes prior to the start of the ride to park and register. If you are looking for a carpool,
please consult your Team Shell directory or check out the postings on the HP Cycling Club Web Forum.

In case of bad weather, call the Bike Club Hotline at 281-293-2931 to inquire about ride status.

Registration for the CP Training Series is Closed

Please read the following instructions before clicking on the registration link at the bottom of this section

Question 1 is to accept the waiver - this is required.  You click the "I accept" button unless you are a minor (under age 18).  In this case, you need to have your legal guardian complete the enrollment.
 
Question 8 is to confirm you are on Team Shell.  Be sure to select Team Shell from the pull-down list.

Question 9 is to confirm your rider status. This is a critical question so please read it carefully and select the appropriate answer.  Note the following:

Option 3. TEAM SHELL RIDERS SHOULD IGNORE THIS OPTION.
Option 4. CHOOSE THIS IF YOU ONLY WANT TO RECEIVE STEVE'S E-MAILS AND
               WILL NOT PARTICIPATE IN THE SERIES.
Option 5  CHOOSE THIS IF YOU ARE A REGISTERED RIDE MARSHAL - YOUR FEE FOR
              PARTICIPATING IN THE CP SERIES WILL BE WAIVED.
Option 8. TEAM SHELL RIDERS SHOULD IGNORE THIS OPTION.

The Training Series Fee is $145 after Jan 31  (or $148 via PayPal).  This fee covers the entire 12 week training series as well as two beginner rides for those of you who have never ridden on a group ride before.
 
If you are paying by check, please make the check out to the ConocoPhillips Bike Club and note the rider(s) the check covers in the memo line or on a Post-It note attached to the check.  Please print the names neatly and list first/last and please use the same name the rider registered with.  Checks should be mailed to:
     ConocoPhillips Bike Club
     Attn: Steve Moskowitz
     11027 Holworth
     Houston, TX  77072
 
If you are paying via PayPal, please send $148 to the bike club in care of Steve Moskowitz's e-mail address
(steve.e.moskowitz@conocophillips.com).  Please use the notes field in PayPal to note the rider(s) covered and be sure the names are complete and correct.
 
Note that the fee goes up by $10 if not mailed/sent by 12/31/09.  It goes up again by $15 after 1/15/10 and by $25 after 1/31/10.  This deadline is based on the postmark on the envelope or the date the PayPal payment posts - not the date you wrote on the check.  The late fee is donated entirely to the MS Society.

CLICK HERE to register for the CP Training Series
 

Team Shell Volunteers needed to support the CP Training Series

The CP training series is successful because of volunteers and Team Shell has been asked to provide volunteers for the following rides:

  • 2/13 - Hempstead (was Pattison)
  • 3/20 - Cat Springs
  • 4/3 - New Waverly

We need to have 12 volunteers at each ride (36 total). Volunteer roles can include:

  • SAG vehicles/drivers - These volunteers each drive a vehicle along the route and provide assistance to the riders.  Bring a pump, bike tools, water & snacks.  It is great if you can change a flat, but it is not required.  Map reading is a must as you will be on some very rural roads.  Some SAGs place and pick up directional signage along the route.  SAG vehicles need to be able to transport 2 or more riders plus their bikes.  This job supports the riders by driving a specified portion of the route and helping cyclists who need assistance - usually a ride back to the start, or providing minor mechanical help (inflate tires, change flats, etc).
  • Food/Rest Stop Volunteers - These volunteers need a large vehicle to transport all the food, drinks, tent and tables from the ride start to the rest stops and back.  You will set up the rest stop and keep food and fluids flowing. Additionally, talk to the cyclists and keep them motivated. 

Water Wizards - Additionally, volunteers (water wizards) are needed to bring filled water coolers to the rides. A total of 24 coolers are needed for each ride and Team Shell is one of four teams that has been assigned to bring 6 - ten gallon coolers (about 2/3 full of fresh water) to each of the rides. Other teams are responsible for bringing ice. To share the burden we would like to have 2-3 volunteers for each third of the season (CP rides 1-4, 5-8 and 9-12) for a total of 6-9 volunteers. Responsibilities include picking up 2-3 empty coolers at the end of each ride, rinsing them out and arriving about an hour before the start of the next ride with the coolers filled with water. Being a water wizard, allows you to still ride and be a ride volunteer.

If you are interested in supporting one of the three rides as a SAG/rest stop volunteer or as a water wizard, please contact Team Shell at shellcyclingteam@shell.com.  Remember, you get volunteer credit for volunteering yourself or getting someone else to volunteer in your place (spouse, kids over 18, friends, …)  This is a great opportunity to let your family see what you are doing every Saturday morning.

Team Shell coordinators for the CP Training Series are Cris Holan, Paul Thornton and Don Wisdom.