Subject: Team Shell Cycling Newsletter - March 17, 2016
From: <[email-masked]>
To: Undisclosed recipients:;
Date: Thu, 17 Mar 2016 19:27:52 +0000

MS 150 April 16-17, 2016

Team Shell Riders – 225

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    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

$73,292

37%

$326

84%

147 – 58%

     Dear Team Shell Cycling,

We are just 30 days away from this year’s MS150.  As we get closer to April 16th it may seem like my emails are getting longer and longer.  Each newsletter contains vital information to prepare you for a successful and safe weekend.  Please note on the above dashboard that we are 80% compliant on our safety training.  We still need 51 of you to get your training completed.  This Sunday is the last free Team Shell training.  So if you haven’t completed your hands on bike training, please get it done.  Also, only about half of you have completed the online training; please also get this done as it only takes about 10 minutes to complete.  Links to these trainings are conveniently listed below.

I want to bring your attention some critical safety and courtesy issues.  I received some feedback from the Ready2Roll training ride this past Saturday in Fayetteville that a group of our riders, sporting Shell jerseys, were not abiding to our safe rider rules and cut off a another rider while passing during a right turn.  Please, please, please, use verbal commands every time while you are passing.  Make sure that you are completely clear of the rider you are passing so that you are not cutting them off.  It is an honor and privilege to wear the Shell Pectin and it is ever-so important that all of us be on our best behavior while in the communities where we ride.

I have also posted the link for volunteers for the ride weekend April 16th & 17th.

     In this Week’s Newsletter

·         Safety First Message

·         Clay Walker’s Band Against MS Bike Ride March 26th

·         Team Shell Registration Fee

·         Volunteers Needed

·         Online MS 150 Safety Training

·         Last Team Shell Bike Safety Training

·         Transportation back from Austin

·         Team Jerseys still available

·         Training Rides

·         Packet Pick Up Locations

·         Fundraising

·         Bike Safety Inspections

·         Handy Links

SAFETY FIRST MESSAGE:   "Holding your line" through a Curve or Sharp Turn

Coach Alan Bazard – Shell Safety Coordinator

When riding with a group, traffic, or especially in a pace line, there will be a reason to make a sharp turn. This happens either because the road curves sharply, or the route requires you to turn left or right to get where you want to go.  Making a turn when you are by yourself is no big deal.  More attention is required when there are other riders around you (or in front and behind) or other vehicles are close by.  The main thing to keep in mind when turning is to pick a line (imagine an arc) through the curve.  Turn or lean your bike through the turn, and stay on this line.

Try to stay the same distance from the edge of the road all the way through your turn. Do not stray or swerve left or right. Others on the road are counting on you to BE PREDICATABLE.  In fact they are reminding you when you hear "hold your line (or lane)."

When making a sharp turn, practice the following on your rides:
As you approach a turn, SIGNAL your intentions (hand / verbal).  Just like in a car, BRAKE (slow down) as needed before you start the turn.  As you start the turn make sure your outside foot/pedal is down and keep YOUR WEIGHT ON THE OUTSIDE FOOT. MAKE A CONTINUOUS SMOOTH ARC and avoid swerving or letting the forces pull you out of your turn.  Exit the turn keeping as close to the road edge/curb as you went in.

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

Clay Walker’s Band Against MS Ride – Team Shell will use this ride as our pre-MS150 team training ride.  Make plans to ride now.
Date: Saturday, March 26, 2016
Shifts: 5:30 a.m. – 11:00 a.m.; 10:30 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.

New Location: Golf Club of Houston, home to the Shell Houston Open
5465 Wilson Road
Humble, TX 77396

Project Details: Shell and Motiva volunteers will support the numerous efforts at the bike ride. Tasks include registration, parking assistance, T-shirt distribution, gear check and luggage assistance, and lunch assistance.

Volunteer Registration: www.seeuthere.com/2016BAMS<http://www.seeuthere.com/2016BAMS>

Additional: Children must be 15+ to participate as a volunteer.
Bike Riders: Registration for the ride is currently underway and closes on March 26, 2016.

Please click here<https://events.com/r/en_US/registration/clay-walker-band-against-ms-ride-humble-march-10463> if you’re interested in riding in this event.​ ​

2016 Team Shell MS150 riders – Team Fee is now up to $80
We still have about 41 riders who still need to pay. Please get this in to me now.  These funds pay for the tents in LaGrange.

We have aligned with the Shell Employees Club (SEC) to handle our financial administration going forward. SEC can only take cash or check.  Please don’t send cash in the mail.  If you would like to pay by cash, please get in touch with me to make arrangements.

Thank you for your support!

Mail a check ($80) made out to Shell Employees Club to:

150 N. Dairy Ashford
Bldg. E – 0238 A
Houston, TX  77079
c/o Team Shell – Mark Poindexter

Volunteering
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/r/2016TeamShellMS150VolunteerSignUp>

Online MS 150 Safety Training Quiz
We are up to 105 riders that have taken the online safety quiz so far.  For the 46% of you that have taken the online training – Thank you!  We now need the other 54% to step up and carve out about 10 minutes of your day to complete this.  This is a mandatory activity for Team Shell to complete the online bike safety quiz.  No need to send your completion verification as I get a weekly of those who have completed this training.   Take the Safe Cycling Challenge<http://biketxh.nationalmssociety.org/site/R?i=VFofAHdnAxkMp6RNRcCjOA>

Last Team Shell Bike Safety Training

This is the last Shell sponsored Bike Safety Course that is available before the MS150 ride on April 16th & 17th.  If you cannot attend, you will need to take a public bike safety course (and pay) before the MS150. Team Shell Cycle Safety Training Course Sign Up – CLICK HERE<https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/X5KH2W8>

Directions

The Bike Safety Training will be held at:

Shell Woodcreek Campus

150 N. Dairy Ashford

Houston, TX 77079

     Turn north from I-10 and go to the employee entrance #3 & 4 (1st entrance on right, north of I-10).

     You will check in with the guard at the security gate and park. Be prepared to show your driver’s license.

·         The class will go on rain or shine.  Cancellation will only be considered in the case of lightning.

·         There are spots still available in case you know of others who may want to take advantage of this advanced skills class.  Have them pay on the above Payment Center Link.

     The START Time is 2:00 PM - This is "Start of Class" time, not arrival time.

Please plan to arrive early and allow time to park, and get your bike and helmet ready.  The first 30 minutes of training will be a “outdoor classroom” session, followed by four different on-the-bike safety drills.  Late arrivals that miss the "classroom" session will not be permitted to participate in the hands-on drills and will be required to re-schedule.  As this is the last available class, don’t be late.  Alan Bazard will be your instructor for this course.  He will meet you in the parking lot.

Contact Alan at 713-458-0473 for more information.

     Be sure to bring your BIKE and HELMET.  Dress appropriately for the weather.

Please keep in mind that these mandatory safety training requirements to participate on Team Shell is to keep you and others around you safe during your training rides and the MS150 event.  Over the last 13 years, Team Shell has led the Houston cycle community in team safety and has earned the gold safe team award every year!  Your cooperation in meeting this requirement is most appreciated.

Community Safety Training Courses:
·         Other Group Riding Skills Course<http://biketxh.nationalmssociety.org/site/R?i=uRb0rILCc3jP-_Img4-RMw> for Austin and Houston.  There will be a fee for these non-Team Shell cycle trainings.
·         The Group Riding Skills Course is conducted by the League of American Bicyclists. The LAB is the Society's education partner and a national organization dedicated to cycling, cycling advocacy and cycling education

     Transportation

      The Passenger Busses and Bike Transport is $35 each way from Austin to Houston on Sunday.

      Book your transportation now.

      Sunday, April 19, 2015 - On Sunday, Passenger Busses & Bike Transport go back to all three start sites.

      Riders who wish to purchase transportation at this time may do so on-site at the Bus Depot in Austin for $35:

Need transportation from Austin to Houston on Sunday? Purchase transportation online in advance<http://main.nationalmssociety.org/site/TR?fr_id=27003&pg=informational&sid=13233>. Click on the Austin Transportation Tab

This is for transportation for the rider, bike and luggage from Austin to Houston on Sunday. ($35.00)

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.

Team Shell Jerseys and Kit

Our jersey manufacturer has a small inventory of Team Shell jerseys still available.

The new design will be delivered directly to your home for under $30.

http://www.peak1bikestore.com/shell

Training Rides

     Ready2Roll Cycling Training Series – must be a paid member to participate in the Ready to Roll training series
      Saturday, March 19th                7:30 AM                                                                                                              Katy/Hempstead                                  9/74 mile routes

MS 150 Recommended rides
Saturday, March 19         8:30 AM               Just Ride for a Just Cause             <http://www.passionforhumanity.net/justride>                                 Simonton, TX                                     11/25/35/50/65 mile routes
Saturday, March 19         8:00 AM               Riverside Ride<http://www.riversideride.com/>                                                                   Victoria, TX                                                 20/30/40/50/62 and 100 mile routes
Sunday, March 20            7:30 AM               Tour de Houston<http://www.tourdehouston.org/>                                                              Houston, TX                                       20/45/70 mile routes
                Saturday, March 26         8:00 AM               Clay Walker’s BAMS<http://www.bandagainstms.org/bamsride2016.html>                                                        Humble, TX                                                  20, 35, and 65 miles

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

·         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.

Wednesday, April 6, 2016
Memorial Park
6501 Memorial Drive (South Picnic Loop and Memorial Drive)
Houston, Texas 77007
11:00 am to 7:00 pm
Map<http://main.nationalmssociety.org/site/DocServer/TXH_2016_BP_MS_150_-_Packet_Pick-Up__Memorial_Park.pdf/1030327682?docID=80193&verID=1>

*Friday, April 15, 2016
Omni Westside Hotel Expo
13210 Katy Freeway
Houston, Texas 77079
2:00 pm to 8:00 pm
Map<https://goo.gl/maps/SgxJUbwnKv22>

*Last opportunity to pick up your rider packet. Be sure to visit the BP MS 150 Official Bike Stores at the Expo to pick up any last minute items you may need for event weekend.

Fundraising

Thank you for all of you that are doing in outstanding job at fundraising.  Team Shell is one of the top fund raising teams due to your efforts!
                        Top Fund Raisers to Date

$3,000 +

$900+

Chris Russell

Minhtuan Nguyen

Todd Nunnally

Lorena Derington

$2,000 +

Michael Lombardi

Todd Jones

James Kinzler

$1,000 +

Haley Chilek

Michele O’Keefe

Peggy McElroy

Allen Broyles

$800+

Jim Pirnik

Christopher Robinson

Mark Cockram

David Fannon

Courtenay Clifford

Katheryn Bateman

Billy Euell

Nicholas Dehnel

Ramon Berrocal

Bruce Johnson

Geoff Donnelly

Kate Prather

Christian Cuellar

Bike Safety Inspections

 Free bike inspections are available now at Official BP MS 150 Bike Stores<http://main.nationalmssociety.org/site/TR?fr_id=27003&pg=informational&sid=13228>. 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

·         Register for Team Shell<https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/37JQWSN> – We will close registration on March 11th

·         First Time Riders<http://main.nationalmssociety.org/site/TR?fr_id=27003&pg=informational&sid=13237>

·         MS150 Safety and Fundraising Requirements<http://main.nationalmssociety.org/site/TR?fr_id=27003&pg=informational&sid=13231>

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

·         MS 150 Official Bike Stores<http://main.nationalmssociety.org/site/TR?fr_id=27003&pg=informational&sid=13228>

As the mileage, hills and winds increase in your training, please remember train safely, eat and hydrate properly.  Listen to your body and review Alan’s safety tips.
Go out and have a safe and healthy weekend!

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