Subject: Team Shell Cycling Newsletter - April 8, 2016
From: <[email-masked]>
To: Undisclosed recipients:;
Date: Thu, 7 Apr 2016 13:04:05 +0000

MS 150 April 16-17, 2016

Team Shell Riders - 266

To be removed from this list, please reply with "Remove" in the subject box

TEAM SHELL CYCLING DASHBOARD
Team Fundraising Goal

Collected to Date

% of Goal

Avg. Collected per Rider

Group Riding Skills  Compliance

Online Safety Training Compliance

$200,000

$128,575

64%

$561

94%

158 - 69%

     Dear Team Shell Cycling,

Ok, we are a week out.  There is lots of information in this week's newsletter, so please read the entire email this week for answers to your questions.  If I don't address a topic then you can find it in the Rider Guide<http://main.nationalmssociety.org/site/TR?fr_id=27003&pg=informational&sid=13237>.  We really could use your help in recruiting volunteers for the MS weekend.  Our biggest need will be in LaGrange Saturday morning.  In the past, family members and friends have made a huge effort in assisting our riders throughout the event.  Our biggest need for volunteers will be on Saturday of the ride in LaGrange.  Please help us be sending this link out to your family and friends. Click Here<https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/2016TeamShellMS150VolunteerSignUp>

Shell employees and retirees, don't forget the matching HERO<https://secure1.easymatch.com/shellgive/resources/General.Public.File10.pdf> program.  You can double your fundraising efforts via this matching gift program. :)

If you missed yesterday's packet pick up at Memorial Park, you have one last opportunity to pick up your packet at the Omni Westside Hotel beginning Friday, April 17th at 2 PM.  You can have someone else pick up your packet for you, just not me :)

     In this Week's Newsletter

·         Safety First Message

·         MS 150 Weekend Details

·         Team Shell Registration Fee

·         Volunteers Needed

·         Massages in LaGrange

·         Online MS 150 Safety Training (LINK)<https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/?sm=NbefHMGRjT2qnjS3Y2sqcdB3SdkImUGIktLePnnQe5s%3d>

·         Training Rides

·         Packet Pick Up Locations

·         Fundraising

·         Bike Safety Inspections

·         Handy Links

SAFETY FIRST MESSAGE: Avoid the use of Aero Bars in a Pace Line

Coach Alan Bazard - Shell Safety Coordinator

The primary reason for not using aero bars in a pace line is "Reaction Time," and safety to other riders.  The time it takes to move your hands from the aero bars to the brakes is significantly increased over a handle bar position (hoods or drops).  In a pace line with riders within 1-3 feet of each other, reacting and maintaining control of your speed when something unexpected happens is critical to the safety of the group.  Riders in a pace line at 18 mph are traveling at 26.4 feet per second.  Mistakes or unexpected actions in the line happen in a fraction of a second, but in this fraction, the distance traveled is a lot.  If you have to use extra time, even a fraction of a second to move your hands to the brakes, you may have already lost the ability to properly brake or slow speed to avoid a collision with the rider in front, or obstacle.

Some secondary reasons not to use bars in a pace line are Stability, Visibility, and Coordination.  When on the aero bars, you are extended out over the front wheel which reduces stability (balance).  If there are no obstacles or close riders, this is typically not a problem.  But smaller obstacles (rocks, sticks, etc.), may cause a rider on bars to go down.  These obstacles would not normally be a loss of balance for riders in a more stable position (hoods, drops).  Visibility down the road is reduced when in the aero position.  Your head is lower and it takes more neck muscle to lift your head higher to see down the road.  The natural position of the head on aero bars is looking downward, not up the road.  It takes additional coordination to move hands from the aero bars to the hoods / drops.  In a quick, panic reaction, some riders miss getting to the hoods / drops / brakes on the first attempt.  Again this can add to delayed reaction time.  It takes some developed skill to ride effectively in the aero position.  Some riders are good at this, while others may not have developed the skill.

OK, but what about at the front?  Actually, the front is probably the worst place to be on the aero bars.  Again with increased reaction time, reduced visibility you put ALL of the riders behind in jeopardy if you cannot react properly to an unexpected event.  In other words, if the front rider goes down, a chain reaction starts and all of the riders may go down as well.  Put yourself in the position of the 2nd, 3rd, or 4th, rider behind the front rider.  You are trusting that the front rider will properly see and react to obstacles and communicate.  Me personally, if I'm going to trust a rider in the front, I want their hands close to the brakes and their head up.

Pace lines are designed for rotation.  When a rider gets tired at the front due to wind and working harder, it's time to rotate to the back, not get on their aero bars.

Aero bars were designed for "Time Trial" events.  In a time trial, it's the rider racing against the clock (fastest wins).  There is no drafting allowed, so the safety of following riders is not an issue.  In public rides such as the MS 150, or any of the MS sponsored rides, people riding on aero bars have been among the highest causes of accidents.

Ride Safe, Ride Smart!

For questions or more information on Safe Group Riding, contact Coach Alan - [email-masked]<mailto:[email-masked]>

MS 150 Weekend Information

With the ride just one week away, here is some helpful information and tips that will make your weekend successful!

Friday, April 15th

Last Packet Pick up - If you haven't picked up your rider packet yet, then you have just one more opportunity on Friday, April 17th form 2 - 8 PM at the Westside Omni Hotel, it's located just west of our Shell Woodcreek office where are official ride start will be.  You will not be able to ride in the MS150 without a ride number attached to your bike, jersey and helmet.

Bike Expo - The MS 150 Bike Expo will also be going on during the last packet pick up.  You won't want to miss it, lots of cycling gear on (for) sale.  The Omni Hotel is located at 13210 I-10 (Katy Frwy.)  If you are also dropping of your luggage, please make sure that you put your rider numbers on your luggage before dropping off your bags at Shell Woodcreek.  Allow yourself enough time to pick up your rider packet and drop your luggage by 5 PM.

What to pack? - Each rider is allowed 2 pieces of luggage.  No more than 25 lbs. each. Put a luggage tag on each luggage piece (printed with your Rider Number).  Luggage tags are included in Packet. Include personal tags with name and cell phone.  Click HERE<http://main.nationalmssociety.org/site/TR?fr_id=27003&pg=informational&sid=13231#pack-anchor> for a packing list.  Please abide by the 25 pound request as our volunteer luggage handlers are lifting for 250 Team Shell riders.  Let's keep safety in mind when you pack your luggage for the weekend.  We would hate to have a volunteer hurt themselves by lifting too heavy of a bag.  Make sure you pack a bed roll and air mattress or cot to sleep on if you will be staying in the team tent. Volunteers in LaGrange will have electric air pumps to quickly fill your air mattress.

Team Shell Luggage Drop Off - Being a member of Team Shell, we will collect and delivery your luggage to the Shell Tent for you.  You may drop your luggage off between 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM on Friday, April 15th at our Shell Woodcreek offices at 150 N. Dairy Ashford.  The entrance will be your 1st entrance on the right, north of I-10.  It is marked as gate entrance 3 & 4.  The yellow Penske truck will be parked in straight ahead.  We will not be accepting luggage on Saturday morning.  Please make sure your rider baggage numbers are placed on your bags for identification purpose.

You may elect or appoint someone from your site/bldg. to collect all your sites bags (with rider tags already attached) and bring to the Friday drop.

If you can't get your luggage dropped off on Friday during these times, you have a couple of options:

1.    You may drop your bags off at Tully Stadium Saturday morning.  Remember, if you do this your luggage will not be in the Shell tent ; it will be dropped off in the MS bag drop in LaGrange, which is located across the street from the Shell tent.  If you are leaving from Katy or Waller, then you can use the MS truck; just remember your bags won't magically show up in the Shell tent.

2.    Have a friend, co-worker or family member drop off your bag at Shell Woodcreek between the hours of 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM on Friday, April 17th.

3.    If you are having family or friends meeting you in LaGrange, you may have them bring your luggage with them and drop off at the Shell tent on Saturday.

4.    I don't think FedEx delivers on Saturday during the MS150, so better chose one of the above options.

Please limit your luggage to no more than 25 lbs. each.  Our volunteers' backs will thank you!

Saturday, April 16th

Day One of the ride begins Saturday morning at three convenient starting points: Shell Woodcreek office at 150 N. Dairy Ashford, Houston.  Please enter the 1st driveway on the right, marked Gate # 3 & 4, just north of I-10 in Houston, TX.  If you have security access to Shell Woodcreek, please park in parking garage 3.  Shell Woodcreek guests will park in the visitor's parking lot.  If you are being dropped off, please drop in visitor's lot.  Our visitor's lot is only holds about 80 parking slots, so please plan to car pool.

Please arrive between 5:30 AM - 6:00 AM.  If you arrive later than 6 AM there will be lots of traffic for riders turning off at Dairy Ashford to start at the MS official start at Tulley Stadium, south of I-10.  Starting from Shell Woodcreek you will ride 100 miles.  We will have our safety briefing at 6:30 AM sharp and head out by 6:40 AM, just ahead of the official Tully start.

Other Day 1 start locations:

Rhodes Stadium in Katy, TX - 83 miles 6:45 AM start

Waller Stadium in Waller, TX. -  76 miles - 8:00 - 10:00 rolling start

Riders follow scenic roads into Bellville for lunch. Day One ends at The Official Overnight: The Fayette County Fairgrounds in La Grange, TX.

Lunch - The lunch stop on day one will be in Bellville.  Pedal you way up the "little bitty" hill and enter the lunch stop on your right.

La Grange - When you get into the Fairgrounds in LaGrange, pat yourself on the back you made it!! Next, park your bike in the bike coral for overnight parking.  This is the safest place to park your bike as it will have 24 hours security.  The only way you can retrieve your bike is to be wearing your ride number to be matched up with the number on your bike.  We ask that you not park your bikes in the tent.  Tip: bring a plastic grocery bag to cover your seat for the night.  LaGrange tends to get some heavy dew and the last thing you want to do on Sunday morning is to sit your "bum" on a cool wet seat to start your day 2 ride.  We will have an unsecured bike rack set up at the team tent.  Please, no sleeping with your bike.  Bikes must be stored outside the tent.

Shell Tent location: check the MAP<http://biketxh.nationalmssociety.org/site/DocServer/2016_BPMS150Poster_LG_Team_MapAndKey_24x36_copy.pdf?docID=81157&_ga=1.194252004.850363484.1445861245> for Team Shell's tent location.  We will be located in the Blue Tent Block in Section #1.  It is in the same place as the last five years.  We will have two tents again this year.  Luggage will be in tent # 114; tables, chairs, food and massages will be in tent #115.

Massages will be available in the Shell Tent.  Please bring cash for your massages; they will be $1 per minute.  Believe me, the massage will be the best part of your day and will help to rejuvenate your muscles and get you ready for day 2.   The therapists will take great care of you so remember to take care of them with a tip and a smile.

Meals - Team Shell will have plenty of snacks and beverages for you to refuel yourself after the ride.  Dinner will be catered by World Famous Mikeska's barbeque.  We will have vegetarian options available.  Dinner will be served beginning at 5 PM.

Also, the MS Society also serves food all afternoon and evening.  The MS serving line is just a short walk from the Shell tent.

Plenty to do while at the Fairgrounds - sit back and recap your day's ride with other team members, walk around the fairgrounds and visit friends on other teams or stop by and listen to some music.  In the evening there will be a movie show at the amphitheater.

Sleeping in the Shell Tent - We aim to have lights out by 9:00 PM to get you re-energized for your 2nd day of riding. Please help by respecting those who are trying to get to bed early as morning will come early.

Tent rules - Please help us provide an enjoyable experience for all.  Please no barking dogs, loud music, frightened children, fire arms, fireworks or open fires.  The Team will provide some adult beverages, please help us keep this tradition safe and enjoyable.  Please assist the volunteers in putting the trash in the appropriate recycling bins.

Cell Phone Charging Station.  We will USB cell phone charging available to charge your cell phones.  Please bring a USB charger connection to plug in.  The charging station should be able to charge up to 36 phones at one time.  The power source will be from our generators, so please get your phones charged before we turn the generators out when the lights go out at 9 AM-ish.

Sunday, April 19th

Great News!  Team Shell earned the Safe Team Award this past year and we will get the preferred start.  MS officials will come to our tent on Sunday morning and escort us to the front of the line.  This is a huge honor, so be at the Shell tent by 6:15 AM to be escorted to the front of the line.

Day Two

The morning will begin with the sounds of generators humming at 5:00 AM.   Team Shell will provide breakfast, coffee, and juice to get your day started.  We will have breakfast Kolaches for the meat lovers and ample choices for our vegetarians.  The MS Society hosts a pancake breakfast in the fairgrounds as well.

Once you have eaten, pack your bags and load on the Penske truck sitting just outside the Shell Tent.  We will take your luggage to Austin for you and will be at the Shell Tent in Austin when you arrive.  Please remember to keep your sun lotion, gloves and sunglasses with you.  Once the bags go on the truck it is virtually impossible to retrieve your bags until you arrive in Austin.

Your day 2 ride begins at the Fayette County Fairgrounds, on Sunday morning with Club 300 members<http://biketxh.nationalmssociety.org/site/TR/Bike/TXHBikeEvents?sid=6838&type=fr_informational&pg=informational&fr_id=20226> leading the mass. Riders will still have two route options from the Fayette County Fairgrounds: the Challenge Route and the Lunch Express Route. Map<http://biketxh.nationalmssociety.org/site/DocServer/TXH_2016_BP_MS_150_Map_Day_2.pdf?docID=81079&_ga=1.258214979.850363484.1445861245>

     1. The Challenge Route will continue down FM 153 eventually merging onto Hwy. 71.
     2. The Lunch Express Route will take riders onto Hwy 71, westbound, eventually merging onto Loop 150 in Bastrop, Texas.

Both routes lead to Bastrop Intermediate School for lunch.

The final leg of Day Two takes riders into Austin for exciting festivities at the finish line, located at the Bob Bullock Texas State History Museum and next to the Texas State Capitol.

Congratulations are in order when you reach the finish line in Austin!!  After you cross the finish line, if you are taking the MS transportation back to Houston, get your bike on the semi-truck before you do anything else.  That way when the semi is full, it will head back to Houston and will be there when you get back.  After you load your bike pick up your finishers' certificate and pin and head on over to the Shell Tent to enjoy some food and refreshments and pick up your luggage that we transported from LaGrange.  You will be responsible for transporting your personal luggage back to Houston

Transportation From Austin back to Houston

·         Returning back to Houston Sunday, April 17th is YOUR RESPONSIBILITY. Team Shell does not provide transportation.

·         If you don't have your own transportation from Austin, the MS Society offers an excellent service (cost is $35) for you and your bike to the three major starting locations: Tully Stadium, Katy Rhodes Stadium, and Waller Stadium. Buses will transport riders and their luggage while the bikes will be transported separately by truck to those locations.

·         We recommend you get your bike on the appropriate bike truck (i.e. one returning to the location where you started - if it was Woodcreek, find the truck going to Tully Stadium) as soon as you arrive in Austin; they will be located just past the finish line.  This way your bike will be waiting for you in Houston, rather than the other way around. Also, there will be some identification marked on the truck your bike gets loaded into - make note of that as it will facilitate finding your bike in Houston. NOTE: You do not need to show your ticket when you load your bike.

·         To claim your bike in Houston, you need to present your rider number - e.g. jersey number, wrist band, helmet number, etc. You will not get your bike back without your rider number, please have it handy.

·         The MS Society recommends you purchase your bus ticket ahead of time. However, they will be available for sale in Austin. The cost is $35 for all locations and it is advised you have cash available, although their website indicates they will take certain credit cards (Visa, MasterCard , Discover, and American Express).

·         For more information on the Austin to Houston transportation and to buy your bus ticket online: CLICK HERE<http://main.nationalmssociety.org/site/TR?fr_id=27003&pg=informational&sid=13233>. Click on the Austin Transportation Tab.

·         IMPORTANT: The last buses leave Austin at 6:00pm.

Tully Stadium - If you started your ride from Shell Woodcreek and are taking the MS bus back to Houston you will be dropped back off at Tully.  Tully stadium is about ½ mile south of where your car will be. Team Shell has hired a shuttle bus to transport our riders from Tully Stadium to the Woodcreek offices.  Do not attempt to walk back to Shell Woodcreek, please wait on the Shuttle.  You will get your vehicle from Shell's parking lot and then return back to Tully Stadium to retrieve your bike from the bike coral.  The shuttle bus is scheduled to run from 2 - 10 PM on Sunday.

If you are arriving back to Houston by car and need access to the Shell Woodcreek parking lot to pick up your vehicle, you will need to check in with security via the speaker intercom at Gate #3 & 4; that's the same gate you entered in on Saturday morning.

2016 Team Shell MS150 riders

We still have some riders who still need to pay. Please get this in to me now so that I don't have to beg.  You may bring a check or cash with you when you drop off your luggage at Shell Woodcreek on Friday.

These funds help pay for the tents in LaGrange and Austin as well as for all the food and beverages at the team tent. They also help pay for your luggage transport all the through to Austin.

Thank you for your support!

Please make your $80 check payable to SEC (Shell Employees Club) and mail or interoffice to the attention of:

Shell Employee's Club

150 N. Dairy Ashford, bldg. E -0238 A

Houston, TX  77079

                Attn: Mark Poindexter

Volunteering - We Still your Help

Date

April 17th - MS 150 Volunteer Opportunities.

We need lots of volunteers to help Team Shell throughout the ride.  Please pass along this link to your friends and family members and encourage them to support the team by volunteering during this weekend.  MS 150 Event Volunteering<https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/2016TeamShellMS150VolunteerSignUp>

Online MS 150 Safety Training Quiz - Click Here<http://biketxh.nationalmssociety.org/site/R?i=VFofAHdnAxkMp6RNRcCjOA>

     If you haven't yet completed the online training, here is your weekly reminder to get-r-done.  Click on the link

     below and do it now.  All of Team Shell is required to take this online quiz.  It will take just a couple of minutes to

     complete.  We need 100% compliance!

Hotel/Motel shuttles in LaGrange - If you are not spending the night in the Team Tent and would rather rough it in one of the local hotels then the MS Society will provide convenient shuttle service.  The MS Society organizes regular bus service to local hotels just steps away from the Team Shell Tent.  The bus will pick you back up in the morning and you can start your ride with the team.

When you arrive back to Tully Stadium, Team Shell will have a courtesy shuttle bus to transport you back to the Shell Woodcreek campus to pick up your vehicle.  Just remember where you parked your car so that you get on the correct bus in Austin.  There are 3 official starts, Tully Stadium, Katy and Waller; make sure you get on the bus back to where you start your ride on Saturday.  For those of you leaving from Shell Woodcreek, you will get on the bus back to Tully Stadium.

     Training Rides

     Ready2Roll Cycling Training Series Ride 10

            Saturday, April 9th                                              8:00 AM            Columbus, TX                                             51 & 60 mile routes

MS 150 Recommended rides

Saturday, April 9th                      8:00 AM            Katy Ram Challenge<http://www.katyramchallenge.org/>                  Katy Mills Mall/Sun & Ski Sports              13, 36, 47, 62, & 75 mile routes

Sunday, April 10th                      8:00 AM            Bike for Little Heroes<http://www.redwhiteandbike.org/files/2016-ride-flier.pdf>                 Waller, TX                                             16,32,50,& 66 mile routes

           April 16th & 17th                     6:40 AM        MS 150 Weekend!!!       Shell Woodcreek - Official Team Shell Start - 100 miles

                                                                                                                           You may also start from Katy or Waller and meet us in LaGrange.

Packet Pick UP information, Dates and Locations

·         Packets only given out for those riders who have met the $400 minimum; we do count matching forms and will give credit if we have the forms in our hands.

·         No need to send waivers or bring them to this packet pick-up. Person picking up the packets will sign the roster. Only need notarized waivers of any underage riders on the team if picking their packets up.

·         Can turn in money as well

·         In 2014 alone, approximately 1,200 registered MS 150 participants fell short of the $400 required minimum donation resulting in a loss of approximately $367,000 to the Society. Remember, all riders must meet the $400 minimum by the time they get their packet.

General Packet Pick-Ups - Only 2 packet pick-ups in Houston this year.

April 17th - Houston Expo, Omni Westside - THIS IS YOUR LAST CHANCE TO PICK UP YOUR RIDER PACKET
2:00-8:00pm

13210 Katy Freeway

Houston, Texas 77079

Fundraising

Thank you for all of you that are doing in outstanding job at fundraising.  We have 35 team members who have already raised over $1,000.  Great job!          Who's Next???  Team Shell is one of the top fund raising teams due to your efforts!

                        Top Fund Raisers to Date

$4,000 +

$1,000+

Chris Russell

Christian Cuellar

$3,000 +

Colin Buchan

Todd Nunnally

Ben Holgate

$2,000 +

Minhtuan Nguyen

Todd Jones

Christopher Hadley

James Kinzler

David Fannon

Geoff Donnelly

Peggy McElroy

Tim Downs

Tracy Carroll

Jim Pirnik

Chuck D'Angelo

Michele O'Keefe

Maria Daniela Cooz Sarmiento

$1,000 +

Danny Flack

Mark Cockram

Ramon Berrocal

Haley Chilek

Marisabel Grunewaldt

Tjalling Terpstra

Christopher Robinson

Courtenay Clifford

Calum Macaulay

Jamie Park

Hesham Ebaid

Billy Euell

Michael Lombardi

Robert Lombardi

Dave Eldridge

Gerard Soto

Bike Safety Inspections

Free bike inspections are available now through April 12th at Official BP MS 150 Bike Stores<http://main.nationalmssociety.org/site/TR?pg=informational&fr_id=25298&type=fr_informational&sid=11520&_ga=1.35614113.1884083623.1420734596>. After that the cost will be $15. This is a great way to get your bike checked out before hand to assure it is "fit" and safe to do the MS 150. Upon passing your bike will get a sticker that lets you have free labor for bike repair and adjustment during the MS 150 Ride (there will be a charge for parts).  Get your bike inspected now.  The longer you wait the longer you will wait in line for the inspection as we get closer to the MS150.

Handy Links

·         EasyMatch User Guide<https://secure1.easymatch.com/shellgive/resources/General.Public.File10.pdf>

This is the last weekend to get your long ride in.

Be Well and Be Safe!

Mark Poindexter
Shell Health - U.S. Wellness Manager

Tel: +01 832 337-2149