How do I register with Team Shell?

Registration for the Houston to Austin 2008 BPMS150 ride is now CLOSED. However, if you are interested in receiving Team Shell news or would like to become a volunteer for Team Shell, please sign up on the following site:

http://www.zoomerang.com/survey.zgi?p=WEB226W2AKYY37

If you can no longer participate in the 2008 MS150

If you are registered but cannot ride (e.g. travel, injury, etc.), you will need to notify both Team Shell at Shellcyclingteam@shell.com and the NMSS at ms150info@ms150.org (Tel: 713-526-8967). The official NMSS policy is that they allow withdrawls but not transfers. Team Shell's policy is in line with the NMSS - transfers create logistics and safety challenges as your bib number is tied to the information you registered with. For example, if your number were involved in an accident on the ride but someone else was wearing it, the emergency contact information would not be correct. Note that if you withdraw, you are still welcome to stay on the distribution list, attend training rides, be a team volunteer, etc.

Jersey & Packet Pick-Up

The 2008 MS150 packet pick-up will start on March 17th. The packet will contain your Bib number, wrist tag, luggage tags, and other pertinent ride information.

Note that you must have a signed waiver form before you can collect your packet. And YES you can pick up packets for friends and/or family members, but you must bring along their signed waivers as well. The National MS Society is very strict about this rule, don't test them.

Team Shell will have a private packet pick-up on March 25th, 11:00am to 1:00pm, at One Shell Plaza in downtown Houston. We plan to start distribution of the team jersey during that time, but only to those who have completed BOTH safety requirements (see Safety page).

If you are unable to make the private Team Shell packet pick-up date, you may use one of the following National MS Society's public distribution sites. However the team jerseys will not be distributed at these locations.

Fred Haas Toyota World @ I-45N & Cypresswood - Mon., March 17, 4 - 7 p.m.
Bob Bullock Texas State History Museum @ Austin - Tues., March 18, 4 - 7 p.m.
Don McGill Toyota Katy @ Mason Road - Wed., March 19, 4 - 7 p.m.
Sterling McCall Toyota @ Hwy 59 & Beltway 8 - Thurs., March 20, 4 - 7 p.m.
Fred Haas Toyota Country @ Hwy 249 - Tues., March 25, 4 - 7 p.m.
Champion Toyota @ 1-45S & Fuqua - Wed., March 26, 4 - 7 p.m.
Memorial Park - Mon., April 7, 11 a.m. - 7 p.m.
National MS Society - Austin @ 9600 N. Mopac, Ste. 150, Wed., April 9, 4 - 7 p.m.
BP MS 150 Expo, Omni Houston Westside Hotel - Fri., April 11, 2 - 10 p.m.

Plans for distributing jerseys for those that can't make the Team Shell private pick-up on March 25 are:

April 2nd, 11:00am-1:00pm, at the new Fitness Center at Woodcreek.
April 11th, 7:00-9:00am and 11:00am-1:00pm, at Woodcreek (same location as luggage drop-off - TBD).
April 12th, 5:30am-6:15am, at the ride start at Woodcreek.

Bike Safety Inspections

Bike safety inspections have started at Official Bike Stores. Bikes that pass get a safety inspection sticker, entitling riders to free labor for repairs during the ride. Inspections are free until April 4 and $10 after. Get your bike inspected early before the lines get long.

Ride Information

Orientation teleconferences were held in December. If you were not able to attend, CLICK HERE for presentation material that provides information for participating with Team Shell in the MS 150.

Communications

The main line of communications to Team Shell Members will be via Email with newsletters and notes on specific topics. Information of a relatively permanent nature will be posted on this website which is integrated with the Team Shell Yahoo e-Group site where members can readily post information and messages as discussed below. The Team Shell organizing committee can be contacted by Email at: shellcyclingteam@shell.com

Bike Shop Discount Programs

Buying a new bike or upgrading your riding gear? Take advantage of the Sun & Ski and/or Bike Barn's MS150 Team Discount Programs.

Sun & Ski

Register for this program online http://www.sunandski.com/ProductDetails.asp?ProductCode=9992999960800-0000000 and state Team Shell as your team:

The benefits of this program are:

5% Pledge Rebate Program
* 5% of all Sun & Ski Sports purchases made using your tracking number is credited to YOUR MS 150 pledge fund.
* Share your tracking number with all of your friends, family, neighbors and other supporters. When they shop at Sun & Ski Sports and use the tracking number, you will receive a credit for 5% of their purchases to your individual MS 150 pledge fund as well.
In-store Team Discounts
* 10% off bikes (excludes sale items)
* 15% off Cycling Apparel & Accessories (excludes sale items)
* 35% off Standard Bike Labor
FREE Basic Bike Fit - $30 value!!!

Bike Barn

Register for this program by e-mail to April Pesillo at april@bikebarn.com. Include the following in your e-mail:
- Team Shell
- First and Last Name
- Address to which you want the discount card to be mailed.

The benefits of this program are:

Discount Card- 10% off all regularly priced accessories through April 30, 2008. Your card must be presented at the time of purchase.
Bicycle Purchase-With the purchase of any adult road bike or hybrid bicycle, team members will receive a $25 credit to be used on accessories and/or clothing at the time of purchase.
Access to Bike Barn mechanics in La Grange.
Invitation to each of our monthly Basic Bicycle Maintenance clinics. This is an introductory class on how to keep your bicycle in good working condition. It covers basic repairs and preventative maintenance and how to adjust your brakes and cables to ensure good shifting and breaking. Also, find out what basic tools you need...plus find out how to change a flat... Go to http://www.bikebarn.com to find out more.

Team Jersey and Cycling Shorts

The 2008 Team Shell Jersey has been selected and will be free to all riders that complete the two mandatory safety requirements. This year matching cycling shorts were also available to those that ordered them by Jan 24.

Team Shell Yahoo e-Group

A Yahoo e-Group site was setup for Team Shell in 2006. This will continue to play an important role for Team Shell communications in 2008. While joining this group is not mandatory, this is a great way to interact with your teammates. If you have not used an e-Group before, it offers some of the following features:

Messages – instead of giving out everyone’s e-mail address, e-groups allows you to post messages. Members can control how they receive messages. You can receive each message, receive a daily summary or not receive any messages. The messages will be kept on the group site and can be retrieved or searched later.
Files – files can be loaded and shared
Photos – members can load their photos that they would like to share. You are encouraged to look at team photos from past years.
Links – Have a useful link that you would like to share, post it in the link section.
Database – A great place to store useful information
Polls – Survey says! A fun way to ask your team mates their opinion.
Calendar – Want the group to remember something, put on the calendar.

You will receive an invitation to join shortly. Give it a try, you will like it. If you don’t like it, then you can withdraw from the group. You can also join by sending an e-mail to TeamShell-subscribe@yahoogroups.com. The website can be accessed at http://sports.groups.yahoo.com/group/TeamShell/. When you click on the link you will be prompted for a user ID and password. If you have preciously registered remember your ID and password you are good to go. Please note that if you have been blocked from the website at work, then you may want to access it from you home using your personal e-mail account.

Riding for the cure