Subject: Team Shell Cycling Newsletter - February 1, 2018
From: <[email-masked]>
To: Undisclosed recipients:;
Date: Thu, 1 Feb 2018 20:45:01 +0000

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

  2018 MS 150 Houston to Austin
                                                                                     April 28th - 29th

                                                           FUNDRAISING DASHBOARD
Team Fundraising Goal

Collected to Date

% of Goal

Avg. Collected per Rider

$200,000

$43,401

21%

$367

[facebook]
Like Team Shell Cycling<https://www.facebook.com/Team-Shell-Cycling-369762546386299/> on Facebook
                 Save Team Shell Website<http://www.shellcyclingteam.com/> to your Favorites

Team Shell Riders - 118 and counting

Dear Team Shell Cyclists,

We are now 12 weeks out from the MS 150 bike ride.  Now is the time to get some serious training in.  Please note above that I added a dashboard of where Team Shell is on our fundraising.  If you have a unique or creative way you are successful in your fundraising please share with me and I will highlight the best practice of the week in this newsletter.  To date we are one of the largest team in numbers with 118 riders that have registered for the MS150 ride.

In the News

  *   Safety First Message - Team Safety Captain, Alan Bazard
  *   Online Bike Safety Quiz
  *   Bike Safety Inspections
  *   Pay Team Shell Logistics support fee - now $70.  Will go up to $80 on March 1st.
  *   Fundraising -  Matching funds link for Shell EE's
  *   Safe Cycling Quiz - Mandatory for all Team Shell Riders
  *   Last Chance to order your Team Shell Bike Jerseys - Order Deadline is Feb. 5th.
  *   Team Shell Required Safety Training
  *   Upcoming Training Rides

SAFETY FIRST MESSAGE:   Riding with Traffic and Rules of the Road

Coach Alan Bazard - Shell Safety Coordinator

In the State of Texas (and most all states), bicycles are considered vehicles on the roadway and have most of the same rights and privileges as motor vehicles.  A key word here is "privilege."  Just like a motor vehicle (car, truck, van, motorcycle, etc.), cyclists need to follow / obey the rules of the road.  This includes all of the typical laws, stopping at stop signs, stop lights, yielding right of way, and all of the common rules involved with operating a vehicle on public roadways.   However, for good safety reasons, there are additional laws governing bicycle riding.

When riding on public roads, here are some important safety points and rules to follow:

  *   Ride on the right hand side of the road in the same direction with traffic flow
     *   Do not ride against the flow of traffic.  In this case, both driver and cyclist reaction times are significantly reduced.
  *   Cyclists are permitted to ride no more than 2 abreast as long as they are not impeding normal traffic flow.
     *   If you are on a narrow road with traffic you should ride single file to allow cars to pass easily around you.

SAFETY TIP:  Although not a law, when riding in a group or pace line, keep the number of riders in the line to about 5 or 6.

  *   At 15 mph (22 ft. / sec), it takes a car about 100 feet of travel to safely go around 1 bicycle.  This distance is increased for each additional bicycle in the pace line.  If there is significant oncoming traffic, then the cars are not able to safely go around the group of Cyclists.  Obviously this leads to frustration on the drivers and they may attempt to pass in an unsafe manner (too close to the cyclists, staying too long in the oncoming traffic lane).
  *   Another reason to keep the group size small:
If the front rider in a group traveling 18 mph  (26 ft. / sec) spots an obstacle in the path 50 feet ahead, and communicates (pointing, calling out) the message back, the message will reach the 6th rider at the same time the 6th rider reaches the obstacle (or about 2 seconds).  The 6th rider and beyond, will not get the message in time and may hit the object.

  *   A good safe rule of thumb for pace lines is to limit the group size to 6-8 and allow about 3 telephone poles between groups of riders.  This provides a safe distance for vehicles to pass and get back into the traffic lane, and provides enough response / reaction time to communicate obstacles.

Stop Signs:
In Texas, vehicles are required to come to a complete STOP at stop signs.  For a bicycle this means put your foot on the ground.  This is more difficult when clipped into the pedals, but it's the law.
If a car is present, follow the stop sign rules:
If 4 way stop, wait your turn (first to stop is first to go)
If cross traffic does not stop, be sure the intersection is clear before continuing through.
TIP:  Try to make eye contact with the driver.

  *   This will help you to know that the driver is looking and sees you.
  *   Most of the time a driver will "waive" you through, yielding the right of way to you.
  *   Just make sure you see the driver waiving you through.

Stop Lights:
Cyclists DO NOT have any special privileges at stop lights, and must "Stop on Red."

  *   Just like in a car, you may be ticketed for running a red light.
  *   Put yourself in the drivers position when they see a cyclists run the red light:
     *   This angers the driver because the cyclist disregards the law
     *   The driver loses respect for the cyclists and may not pass safely around the cyclist further up the road.
     *   The driver blames "all" cyclists as disregarding the law and does not respect safe distances when passing cyclists.
     *   Your actions may affect the safety of other riders further up the road.  DO NOT RUN STOP LIGHTS!

Riding with Traffic

  *   Basic safety rule when riding with car traffic is to ride as far to the right as safely possible.
  *   If the road has a shoulder that is rideable (not full of trash, debris, potholes, gravel surface, etc.), you should be riding in the shoulder.
  *   If the road has a curb, you should ride 12-18 inches out from the curb.
  *   On a narrow 2 lane road with a curb or no shoulder, you may want to ride further out into the lane.  Typically this would be riding in the right tire track (where a car's right wheels would be).
     *   This forces drivers to fully take the other lane (oncoming traffic lane) to safely pass you.  Otherwise if you are closer to the curb / road edge, they may try to "squeeze" between you and oncoming traffic.
  *   Communicate using your hand signals for turns, slowing and stopping.
  *   Don't' ride beside the cars at stop lights and intersections.  Take your place in line and in the center of the lane and move back to the right after you have cleared the intersection.
  *   If continuing straight, ride in the left hand side of "Right Turn Lanes."  This indicates to drivers that you are going straight.  Cars turning right should stay behind you.

Sidewalks:

  *   It is illegal to ride on a sidewalk in a "Business District."
  *   It is generally safer to ride in the road as a vehicle.
     *   Sidewalks present "unpredictable" situations with pedestrians, pets, and drivers backing out of driveways.

For more information on Texas Bicycle Laws, see Bike Texas' website:
http://www.biketexas.org/es/infrastructure/texas-bicycle-laws

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

Safe Cycling Challenge - This is a mandatory online safety training for Team Shell.
This online quiz is intended for educational purposes to increase a rider's knowledge and awareness of cycling safety. This online training does not replace the Team Shell required Hands on Bike Safety Class, once every 3 years. This online quiz has been prepared by the BP MS 150 Safety Committee whose aspiration is for you and our team to complete this annual event with zero harm to all MS 150 riders, volunteers, organizers, and the wonderful communities who open up their hearts and communities to us.  The Safe Cycling Challenge can be accessed through the Training & Safety section of the MS 150 website at:

Take the Safe Cycling Challenge<https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/2018BPMS150>

Volunteers Needed - I need your help for Feb. 17th!

Volunteering is critical to the success of Team Shell.  I need your help.  We have our first volunteer opportunity on Saturday February 17th at the R2R training ride in Sealy.    We still need a few folks to volunteer.  Thank you to those who already volunteered through the R2R link.  We would love to have you to support one of these rides.  If you cannot, a family member or friend can take your place while you are on the training ride.  Please sign up early; let's fill up all the 3 volunteer spots this week.  I will send out a reminder the week of each support ride to each of the registered volunteers.

Ready2Roll Volunteer Link - CLICK HERE<http://www.ready2rollcycling.com/volunteer/>

  *   8 Volunteers needed are for break point set up, take down and serving riders.
  *   4 SAG wagon drivers - drivers will drive the ride route and assist riders with transport if needed.  Truck, SUV helpful but not mandatory.

1.    Feb 17, Ride 4 in Sealy

2.    Mar 17, Ride 7 in New Waverly

3.    Apr 14, Ride 10 in Cat Spring

MS 150 Bicycle Safety Inspections
[BP MS 150 2018 Safety Inspection Sticker]

Not only does your body need to be in the best shape possible for the BP MS 150, but your bike should be finely-tuned and road-worthy as well. To ensure your bike is in the best shape, please take it, along with your cycling shoes, to one of the Official BP MS 150 Bike Stores for a FREE professional safety inspection. Pedal inspection is also a critical component of the overall safety inspection, so don't forget your cycling shoes.

  *   Bike Safety Inspections are not mandatory, but are strongly encouraged by the National MS Society to promote a safe BP MS 150.
  *   Bike Safety Inspections are performed by Official BP MS 150 Bike Stores only.
  *   Once your bike passes the Safety Inspection, you will receive a BP MS 150 Safety Inspection Sticker to display on the stem of your bike (sample at top-right).
  *   With this sticker, you are eligible for FREE labor (parts and materials are extra) if you need any mechanical repairs during the BP MS 150.
  *   Bike Safety Inspections are provided at NO COST from February 19th, 2018 through April 20th; a fee of $15 will be assessed for safety inspections April 21st through April 27th.

The bike safety inspection provides you with the confidence to know that your bike and you are safely prepared for the event. In addition, completing the safety inspection improves the safety for all of your fellow cyclists on the road with you to Austin.

Please view the 2018 Bicycle Safety Inspection Form<http://main.nationalmssociety.org/site/DocServer/2018_TXH_Bike_MS_BP_MS_150_-_Bicycle_Safety_Inspection_F.pdf?docID=84473> to learn what is included in the safety inspection.

Official Bike Store Inspection location link<http://main.nationalmssociety.org/site/TR?fr_id=29316&pg=informational&sid=14154>

Pay your Team support logistics fee.
All Team Shell cyclists who plan to ride in the 2018 MS150 event is required to pay this activity logistics fee.  The logistics fee helps in supporting 50% of what it takes to support a large team during the MS 150 weekend in LaGrange and Austin.  It covers such expenses as Team tents, food, beverages, audio sound, shuttle transport, and luggage transport.  The Shell Health and Wellness budget will cover the other 50% of the expenses.  I have been sending out confirmation emails to all who have turned in their fee.  If you are planning on riding in the 2018 MS150 and haven't received a thanks for paying email from me than you still need to turn in your team support fee.

Team fee goes up on February 1st to $70 and goes up again on March 1st to $80.

Mail a check ($70 till March 1st), made out to Shell Employees Club to:

150 N. Dairy Ashford

Bldg. E - 0258 M

Houston, TX  77079

c/o Team Shell - Mark Poindexter

Fundraising for MS

Help us meet our fundraising goal for 2018 of $200,000.  That's an average $1,000 per rider.  Some riders will raise more some a little less.  I know we can surpass this goal this year!

Matching Funds Available for Shell employees/Retirees

When donors search they need to enter National Multiple Sclerosis Society.

*         Shell:  https://www.easymatch.com/shell/

How much will Shell match per year?
Shell will provide a maximum match of $5,500 per calendar year for the combined Open Giving Campaign. Financial gifts are matched on a 1:1 basis. Within the Matching Gift program, the minimum eligible gift is $25.  Eligibility - Any full-time or regular part-time employee who, prior to the donation, has in the aggregate at least one year of accredited service with Shell Oil Company and its subsidiaries, members and retired members of the Board of directors of Shell Oil Company or of any other participating company and pensioners who have retired directly from active service of Shell Oil Company or any other participating company.

All riders will be required to turn in the minimum of $400 fundraising requirement before picking up your rider packet.  If this seems like a big challenge to you, please let me know and we can brainstorm ways to help you with your fundraising.  I am very proud to say that our team average fundraising efforts are $1,000 per rider.  Fundraising for MS is such a worthy cause, let's all do are part to help stop this dreaded disease in its tracks.

Team Shell Jerseys and Kit - Orders must be placed before Feb. 5th (That's this upcoming Monday)

The order window for the Shell Kit will be from December 1st through February 5th so that we can have your team kits delivered to you by April.  We will have the traditional jersey as well as a long sleeve and sleeveless option.

Click on the link to online Team Shell store - Click Here<http://www.peak1bikestore.com/shell/>.

Bike Safety Training dates
Please remember that this class is mandatory to ride with Team Shell.  You need to only take this class once every three years.   Schedule your class now.  All bike safety training classes will be held on Sundays from 2 - 5 PM at our Shell Woodcreek campus.  Our goal is to have zero accidents in all of our training rides and in the MS event.  I will remind you the week of your scheduled training class.

Please help us meet Goal Zero by getting into one of these classes.

*         February 25th - Advanced Cycling Safety Skills Training.  (You must have already completed the basic cycling safety skill class to register for this class).

*         March 18th - Basic Cycling Safety Skills Training

Register for your safety training class CLICK HERE<https://www.surveygizmo.com/s3/4103005/Team-Shell-Bike-Safety-Classes-for-2018>

If you cannot make one of the above safety classes you are still obligated to find another class in the community.  Once you have completed the class, send over proof of completion to [email-masked]<mailto:[email-masked]>

Other community dates and locations Group Riding Skills Course<http://main.nationalmssociety.org/site/TR?fr_id=29316&pg=informational&sid=14804> for Austin and Houston.  There will be a fee for these non-Team Shell cycle trainings.  Check the 2018 MS 150 website for schedule, locations and fees.

Joining Team Shell
To be eligible to ride with Team Shell you must be one of the following:

*         An active Shell employee

*         Shell retiree

*         Immediate family member of a Shell employee or retiree

*         Full time contractor at a Shell location

*         Any Shell employee may sponsor (vouch for) up to two guests to ride on the team.

Every rider must complete a Team Shell registration each year, including each family member.  We need all Ready2Roll participants to also complete the Team registration as well, as it is a requirement to be aligned with a corporate team to participate in this training series.

Guest Riders on Team Shell
As a Shell employee, retiree or full time contractor on a Shell site, you may sponsor up to two guest riders on Team Shell. Immediate family members do not count against your guest sponsorship.  We have this policy in place for a couple of reasons.  First, we need to limit the size of our team.  We have found that 200 - 250  riders is an ideal number we can support.  Second, we want to know who our guests are so that we all can best represent Shell in our weekly training rides and the weekend of the event.  I know you will help me in supporting this endeavor.
Please complete the following 4 steps to register with Team Shell Cycling:

  1.  Register with the MS Society: MS Society Registration <http://main.nationalmssociety.org/site/TR/Bike/TXHBikeEvents?pg=entry&fr_id=28263>

  1.  Register with Team Shell:  Team Shell Registration<https://www.surveygizmo.com/s3/3711977/Team-Shell-Texas-Registration>
You must complete this annual survey whether you are riding in the MS event or if you plan to do the Ready2Roll training series only.  We will need one registration filled out for each rider.
(i.e. If you are riding with your spouse and your son, you will have all three complete a Team Shell Registration Survey.)

  1.  Pay your Team Support Logistics Fee: This is in addition to the MS 150 registration fee.  The logistics fee helps in supporting 50% of what it takes to support a large team during the MS 150 weekend in LaGrange and Austin.  It covers such expenses as Team tents, food, beverages, audio sound, shuttle transport, and luggage transport.  The Shell Health and Wellness budgets will cover the other 50% of the expenses. If paying with cash please schedule some time with me to drop off.  I appreciate your support.
Please note: You are not fully registered on Team Shell until your team logistics are received.  So far we have only accepted fees from 36 team members.

*         $70 from January 1 - February 28th, 2018
*         $80 after February 28th 2018

Mail a check ($70), made out to Shell Employees Club to:

150 N. Dairy Ashford

Bldg. E - 0258 M

Houston, TX  77079

c/o Team Shell - Mark Poindexter

  1.  Complete the Bike Safety Training Class: You must have completed a hands-on bike safety training class within the last 3 years.  We will host about four classes throughout the training season.  Register for your safety training class CLICK HERE<https://www.surveygizmo.com/s3/4103005/Team-Shell-Bike-Safety-Classes-for-2018>

Upcoming Training Rides

February 3, 2018      9:00 AM          Ready2Roll Cycling Training Series - Ride 3 - Pedaling the Prairie
This week's ride is an open ride.  Free for those who are registered for R2R and $40 for everyone else who pre-registers.

This week, we have a special treat - we're partnering with Faith West Academy for the Pedaling the Prairie ride! We created this route with the ride organizers several years ago and there will be plenty of distance options - 28, 45, 55 or 70 miles.  The two shorter routes will be fairly flat while the 55 and 71 mile routes will include more of the rolling roads out to Bellville and back. Note - 28 or 45 miles is plenty for most of our riders unless you have already been riding longer distances. This is only week 3 of the training so you have time to ride longer later in the season.
Directions to the start of the ride - Waller County Fairgrounds (22000 Fairground Rd, Hempstead)

Community Training Rides - Open to all      Schedule <http://main.nationalmssociety.org/site/DocServer/2018_TXH_Bike_MS_BP_MS_150_-_Recommended_Rides.pdf?docID=84436>

Date

                                            Ride

Location

Saturday, February   3

Pedaling the Prairie<http://www.pedalingtheprairie.org/>

Waller

Saturday, February 10

Humble Lions Bike Ride<http://www.humblelionsclub.com/bikeride_2018.html>

Humble

Saturday, February 17

The Bulldog Bike Ride<http://www.bulldogbikeride.com/>

Waller

Sunday,   February 18

Tri-County Hillhopper<http://www.hillhopper.org/>

Warrenton

Saturday, February 24

Texas Independence Bicycle Tour<https://portal.clubrunner.ca/3925/Stories/2018-texas-independence-bike-tour>

Deer Park

Sunday,   February 25

Kate's Ride<https://www.bikereg.com/36728>

Katy

Be Well!
Mark Poindexter
Shell Health - U.S. Wellness Manager
Tel: +01 832 337-2149