Subject: Team Shell Cycling Newsletter - March 31, 2016
From: <[email-masked]>
To: Undisclosed recipients:;
Date: Thu, 31 Mar 2016 19:02:41 +0000

Team Shell Facebook Page<https://www.facebook.com/Team-Shell-Cycling-369762546386299/>

MS 150 April 16-17, 2016

Team Shell Riders - 226

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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

$105,197

53%

$465

92%

137 - 61%

                                      We've got some work to do - Get'r Done!  :)

     Dear Team Shell Cycling,

Big News - Team Shell was recognized as the Safe Team of the Year.  We will be awarded a preferred start on Sunday in LaGrange.  That means a MS official will come to our tent and escort our whole team up to the front of the cue on Sunday morning.  This is a tremendous honor.  Let's always keep our Goal Zero efforts as our focus.

We really could use your help in recruiting volunteers for the MS weekend.  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>

The first MS150 Packet Pick Up is scheduled for Wednesday, April 6th at Memorial Park from 11 AM - 7 PM.  They will be located on the south side of Memorial Drive and the Picnic Loop.  You must have the minimum $400 fundraising collected before you can pick up your packet.  We have about 70 riders who still need to get their fundraising turned in to reach the minimum.  Let's make this week a big fundraising week. I challenge you all to increase the amount another $50K this week.  Shell employees and retirees, don't forget the matching HERO program.  You can double your fundraising efforts via this matching gift program<https://www.easymatch.com/shell/>. :)

Next week's newsletter will cover all the MS150 weekend details for the team.  What to bring, what not to bring, where to start, food tent locations, maps, etc.

     In this Week's Newsletter

*         Safety First Message

*         Team Shell Registration Fee

*         Volunteers Needed

*         Massages in LaGrange

*         Online MS 150 Safety Training (LINK)<http://biketxh.nationalmssociety.org/site/R?i=VFofAHdnAxkMp6RNRcCjOA>

*         Transportation back from Austin

*         Training Rides

*         Packet Pick Up Locations

*         Fundraising

*         Bike Safety Inspections

*         Handy Links

SAFETY FIRST MESSAGE:   Injury Prevention Mode

Coach Alan Bazard - Shell Safety Coordinator

Let's talk Safety! It's less than 3 weeks before the event ride!  The excitement is building.  We've had a very good training season from a Safety standpoint, and we all should take a moment to rededicate ourselves to RIDING SAFE. And it doesn't hurt to review some basics. We are officially in "INJURY PREVENTION MODE".   This means we want to focus on avoiding injuries or problems that could take us out of the event ride. Here are some points to remember while riding:

*         Protect your front wheel, always

*         Pay attention to your own riding. Look ahead. Plan ahead. (What would I do if...)

*         Keep your line - Maintain safe speed and distance between you and other riders.

*         COMMUNICATE, COMMUNICATE, Co...MmUN...i...CaTe - Call out and point road obstacles, cars, road kill, etc.

*         Make eye contact with Car Drivers at Intersections - Make sure you know what they are doing.

*         Ride single file on roads with steady traffic.

*         Allow extra room with other riders when in a pace line. Maybe even back off the pace some to keep the pack smooth. Getting there safe, but later, is better than not getting there.

*         On long rides, it is natural to feel tired out in the latter stages of the ride. This is when accidents are more likely to occur. If you're tired, slow down and focus your concentration on your riding, not on keeping up with other cyclists. If you see riders in your group drop back, stop and wait for your teammates to catch up, and then regroup. This is not only friendly, but enables everyone to take a break.

*         Racers have a saying - "Keep the Rubber Side DOWN, and the Skin side UP."

*         As Always, HYDRATE, HYDRATE, and EAT. Continue to follow good Hydration and Food / Salt consumption. This stays important every week. Don't forget to hydrate and eat well starting a couple of days before training rides.

*         And don't forget about safety while you are not biking! You'd hate for a careless accident to keep you from your completing your mission at this stage.  Use extra caution around stairs, carrying objects, walking in dark areas, working with tools around the house, and other routine tasks that can become unsafe with carelessness.  Think before you act and Be SAFE!

*         By now you should be very comfortable with your bike setup! This far into the training season, the bike should "disappear" underneath you. You should feel like "one" with your bike. Making any changes in seat height, pedals, shoes, etc is not a good idea. It's risky to change after this point, as it usually takes a few rides to get comfortable with the change. However, if something or some body part is hurting, it's better to make a change than endure the pain. Bike riding should make you feel like your muscles are getting a work out, but not be anywhere near painful. If something is hurting, something is not right and it can usually be fixed. Talk to a coach as soon as possible.

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

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.  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.

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!

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

Shell Employees Club
150 N. Dairy Ashford, bldg. E -0238 A
Houston, TX  77079

                Attn: Mark Poindexter

Volunteering - We Still Need your Help

Date
April 16th  & 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>

Massages in LaGrange
   We will again offer massages in LaGrange after Saturday's ride.  The fee is still $1/minute.  Once you roll into the Shell Tent in LaGrange, make sure you sign up
   for your massage.  The therapist are all license and do a wonderful job of rejuvenate those tired muscles in preparing you for Sunday's ride into Austin.  Please
  bring cash.

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.  We still need 89 of you to complete this action item. Click on the link above 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!  Attached is the latest copy of Team Shell riders who have completed the online safety training.  If your name is not on the list you still need to complete the quiz.  If you have taken the quiz in the last 24 hours, your name should be on next week's list.

Team Shell Bike Safety Training

If you still need to fulfill your public bike safety course requirement, you will need to register for one of the community course that are available.  Please be forewarned - these classes tend to fill up closer to the MS 150 event.   Click HERE<http://biketxh.nationalmssociety.org/site/R?i=uRb0rILCc3jP-_Img4-RMw> for the MS website for other classes.

     Transportation

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

     Training Rides

     Ready2Roll Cycling Training Series Ride 10
            Saturday, April 2nd      7:30 AM               Partner Ride                       Chappell Hill, TX/Head for the Hills                   26 / 45 / 63 mile routes

MS 150 Recommended rides
Saturday, April 2nd      7:30 AM                      Schlumberger Education Expedition<https://thedriven.net/event.race_reg/eid/4710014568?>              Missouri City, TX                    3 routes 10 - 79 miles
Sunday, April 3rd         7:30 AM                      Grand Fondo: Texas<http://www.granfondotexastmco.com/>                                       Montgomery, TX                     32/46/68/90 mile routes

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.

1.    April 6th - Memorial Park Houston
11:00am-7:00pm
6501 Memorial Drive (South Picnic Loop and Memorial Drive)
Houston, Texas 77007

2.    April 15th - Houston Expo, Omni Westside
Houston, Texas 77079
2:00-8:00pm
13210 Katy Freeway

Fundraising

Thank you for all of you that are doing in outstanding job at fundraising.  We need to step up our fundraising.  We still have about 70 riders who have not met their $400 minimum yet.  Remember, to pick up your packet you must have already raised the $400.  If you are waiting for the Shell match, go back into the Shell matching website and print off your submission.  Bring this with you when you pick up your packet.
                        Top Fund Raisers to Date

$4,000 +

$1,000+

Chris Russell

Courtenay Clifford

$3,000 +

Jamie Park

Todd Nunnally

Billy Euell

$2,000+

Christian Cuellar

Geoff Donnelly

Gerard Soto

James Kinzler

David Fannon

Michele O'Keefe

Ramon Berrocal

Allen Broyles

Chuck D'Angelo

$1,000+

Minhtuan Nguyen

Allen Broyles

Christopher Robinson

Jim Pirnik

Michael Lombardi

Tjalling Terpstra

Tracy Carroll

Mark Cockram

Colin Buchan

Haley Chilek

     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>. 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

*         Team Shell Jerseys and Kit<http://www.peak1bikestore.com/shell> - limit inventory remaining, order now to get in time for the MS 150

*         Shell/Motiva HERO Matching Gift Program<https://www.easymatch.com/shell/>

*         What to Pack?<http://main.nationalmssociety.org/site/TR?fr_id=27003&pg=informational&sid=13231#pack-anchor>

*         Packet Pick-up Schedule<http://biketxh.nationalmssociety.org/site/R?i=pWCEIKNzEV_wDv0gEjIvIQ>

  *   Packet Pick-Up FAQ<http://biketxh.nationalmssociety.org/site/R?i=9pdBunNbHjo7LvuZ8eCx5w>
  *   Rider Packet Acknowledgement Form<http://biketxh.nationalmssociety.org/site/R?i=TLqIcZWCfhFXxwTLmnSFXQ>
  *   Underage Waiver and Release Form<http://biketxh.nationalmssociety.org/site/R?i=_iWLrzXjraV8aP95EJG33A>
  *   How to Use Your Rider Numbers<http://biketxh.nationalmssociety.org/site/R?i=2xFIY_jHtnqWW8J7Q7ZYWw>
  *   MS 150 Routes and Maps<http://main.nationalmssociety.org/site/TR?fr_id=27003&pg=informational&sid=13242>
Begin planning on where you will be starting from, Shell Woodcreek, Katy Rhodes Stadium or Waller Stadium.  The official supported start will be at Shell Woodcreek. This will be a full 100 mile ride into the fairgrounds in LaGrange.  If you plan to start from Woodcreek, please plan to car pool.  Anyone with Shell Woodcreek site access is requested to park in parking garage #3, nearest bldg. F.  Guests and drop off riders will park in the visitor's lot in front of Building F, which holds about 80 vehicles.
This should be a great weather weekend.  May the wind be always at your back!  Have fun and practice your safe riding skills.

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