Subject: Team Shell Newsletter - February 11, 2016
From: <[email-masked]>
To: Undisclosed recipients:;
Date: Thu, 11 Feb 2016 21:33:58 +0000

Team Shell Riders - 187

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     FUNDRAISING DASHBOARD
Team Fundraising Goal

Collected to Date

% of Goal

Avg. Collected per Rider

$200,000

$34,487

17%

$184

Dear Team Shell Cyclists,

If you haven't ordered your Team Shell jersey yet, tomorrow (Friday, Feb.12th is the cut off).  So, if you need a jersey or know someone that does, please get your order in by Friday. http://www.peak1bikestore.com/shell

Thank you for all the volunteers that have signed up to help this weekend's R2R ride in Cat Springs.  We still need volunteers for Saturday, March 5th in New Ulm.  Please register to volunteer below.  This will be our last training ride to volunteer for the year.

Also, it is official that Shell will be title sponsor again this year for Clay Walker's Band Against MS Bike Ride.  It will be held on Saturday, March 26th.  It is a charity ride and will dove tail on this ride to make it a Team Shell ride.  Registration is now open, please see the link in Upcoming Training Rides below.

In the News

*         Safety First Message - Team Safety Captain, Alan Bazard

*         Team Shell Jerseys - order by this Friday, Feb. 12th

*         Bike Safety Training Class Dates

*         Bike Inspections

*         Safe Cycling Challenge - Online safety training

*         Volunteers Needed

*         Fundraising

*         Pay your Team Shell registration fee

*         Upcoming Training Rides

SAFETY FIRST MESSAGE:  Ride Predictably, Communicate and Ride to the Right

Coach Alan Bazard - Shell Safety Coordinator

Ride Predictably.  This means riding smoothly and consistently. Don't try to take turns too quickly or make any sudden maneuvers, unless absolutely necessary to avoid a collision or other unsafe situation.  Look ahead when riding to identify possible obstacles or problems in your path and plan your "escape" well in advance.  Then communicate what you plan on doing. . ."coming out", "stopping", "slowing", "rider on your left", "car up", "right turn", etc.  Looking ahead and riding predictably will not only help you avoid a collision ahead of you, but it also makes it easier for others around you and can help you avoid a collision with another rider, or even a motor vehicle.

Communication: In addition to letting others know your actions, let your fellow riders know what you see.  Do NOT automatically assume that the driver of a car sees you.  Call out "CAR RIGHT" or "CAR LEFT" (front and back too) to alert riders around you.  Then they will be ready to take defensive action, if needed, too.

One more Safety Topic this week, Remember to Ride to the Right!
Riding with the direction of vehicular traffic, Cyclists should ride as far to the right of the road or shoulder as safely possible.  If the shoulder is maintained, then cyclists should be inside the shoulder (right of the white line).  If no shoulder, ride within 18 inches of the white line or curb.

Texas State law allows cyclists to ride no more than two abreast.  If riding two abreast impedes car traffic, then riders must ride single file.

Be safe, ride single file on busy roads and narrow roads. On quieter back roads it is nice to ride next to one another and talk. Just check behind frequently for vehicles approaching from the rear and move to the right to let them pass safely. And, if you hear a rider behind you call out "Car Back" don't wait for the car to be directly behind you; start moving to the right, right away. Remember, we are sharing the road.

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

Team Shell Jerseys and Kit - Orders must be placed before Feb. 12th

If you ordered your jersey and kits in the first order, I've been told that they will be shipped out by next Tuesday.  Hopefully in time for next weekend's ride.

The next order window will close on Friday February 12th in order to have your order arrive before the MS150 event in April.  The new design will be delivered directly to your home for under $30.

http://www.peak1bikestore.com/shell

Bike Safety Training dates
The first Bike Safety training skills class is next Sunday, January 24th.   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 21st - Basic Cycling Safety Skills Training

*         March 6th - Advanced Cycling Safety Skills Training.  (You must have already completed the basic cycling safety skill class to register for this class).

*         March 20th - Basic Cycling Safety Skills Training

Click on this link to register for a Safety Skills Training Class: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/X5KH2W8

Bike Safety Inspections

Free bike inspections are available at Official 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, you 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).

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<http://biketxh.nationalmssociety.org/site/R?i=VFofAHdnAxkMp6RNRcCjOA>

Volunteers Needed for R2R Training rides
We still have volunteer opportunities on the following two rides.     We will need a dozen volunteers to support the three training events that Shell is responsible for.  Your support is very important.  If you cannot volunteer, a family member or friend can take your place while you are on the training ride.

Volunteers Link - https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/9LXYKXZ

*         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.

*         4 Water Wizards - Will pick up and fill water containers at the end of the ride and return them back to next week's ride start.  Need to be able to pick up 3-4 five gallon water containers.  This service the last 3 weeks of the training series.

*         Saturday, March 5th - New Ulm ride - SAG drivers and Rest Stop support needed

*         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 education3
Fundraising for MS

We have set our fundraising goal for 2016 at $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 Gifts Program - Double up your donations!
If you are a Shell employee or retiree, then you are able to double your personal donation and that of other Shell employees who sponsor you through our HERO giving program.  Here is the link<http://sww.shell.com/us/about/social_investment/main/hero_homepage.html> to the homepage for more information.

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.

Pay your Team support logistics fee.
All Team Shell cyclists who plan to ride in the 2016 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 2016 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 went up on February 1st to $70 and goes up again on March 1st to $80.

Mail a check ($70 till January 31st), made out to Shell Employees Club to:

150 N. Dairy Ashford

Bldg. E - 0238 A

Houston, TX  77079

c/o Team Shell - Mark Poindexter

Upcoming Training Rides

Ready2Roll - You must be registered for this training series
            February, 13, 2016     8:00 AM          Cat Springs

                MS 150 Community Training Rides               Schedule<http://main.nationalmssociety.org/site/TR?fr_id=27003&pg=informational&sid=13477>
                February 13, 2016      8:00 AM          Humble Lions Bike Ride <http://www.humblelionsclub.com/bikeride_2016.html>                                             22, 44, 55 mile routes

March 26, 2016          8:00 AM           Clay Walker's Band Against MS Bike Ride           <http://www.bandagainstms.org/bamsride2016.html>      25, 45, and 62 mile routes

Golf Clubs of Houston            Humble, TX

Ok, let's all go out and take advantage of the beautiful weather this week. Y'all be safe out there!!!

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