3-17-2009 Newsletter

31 DAYS UNTIL THE 2009 MS150!

IMPORTANT INFO ABOUT THE MS150 WEEKEND, PLEASE READ.

What to Expect During the MS150 Weekend:
At this early point, I want to share with you, in general terms only, what to expect during the MS150 weekend.  In a couple of weeks, I will send you more detailed information which will hopefully answer most of your questions about the tour.

Friday April 17:
- Last chance to pick up your packet at the MS150 Expo at the Omni Hotel, 2-9pm.
- TEAM SHELL DOES NOT PROVIDE COTS OR SLEEPING BAGS IN LAGRANGE.
- We strongly recommend that you pack an air mattress or cot in your overnight bags.
- Drop off your overnight bags at Woodcreeck (maximum of two bags per rider).
- Eat carbs, drink lots of water, and get a good night's rest.

Saturday April 18:
- The Shell Woodcreek facility will be the site of our official team start.
- Arrive at the Shell Woodcreek facility at 5.30am.
- Secure weekend parking will be available inside the Shell facility for both guests and staff.
- Check-in, enjoy a light breakfast, get your gear ready.
- Team picture at 6:20am.
- On the road at 6:45am (weather permitting).
- Team Shell will have a hospitality tent at the Bellville rest stop, half way through the ride.
- Team Shell tent in LaGrange at same location as last year, just to the left of the finish line.
- When you arrive in the team tent, check-in, collect your luggage, and claim a sleeping spot.
- Head for the showers (campsite shower trucks or via courtesy bus to highschool gym).
- Sign up for a massage ($1/min).
- Dinner at 5pm followed by team orientation about Day 2.
- Lights off in the tent at 9pm, but activities at the campsite will go on until...

Sunday April 19:
- Lights on in the tent at 5am.
- Breakfast, coffee, juice, milk, etc. at 5.30am.
- Get your cycling gear ready, take down your sleeping kit, pack your bags.
- Bags loaded on the team truck next to the tent by 6.30am.
- Ride starts at 7am (weather permitting).
- Team Shell tent in Austin in Red Lot, same location as last year.
- When you arrive in the Shell tent in Austin, check-in and collect your luggage.
- Head for the shower trucks.
- Sign up for a massage ($1/min).
- Snacks and refreshments will be available at the tent.
- Pick-up your completion certificate and pin from the MS Society's tent.
- Celebrate what you've just accomplished - plenty of fun things to do!!!
- Returning back to Houston is YOUR responsibility (see below).

Transportation from Austin to Houston on Sunday April 19:
You are responsible for arranging your own transportation from Austin to Houston on Sunday April 19.  If you don't have someone to drive you back, the MS Society offers bus transport for you and your bike to the three major starting locations: Houston Tully Stadium, Katy Rhodes Stadium, and Waller Stadium.  Our team start at Woodcreek is only one mile away from Tully Stadium.  We will also have a courtesy shuttle running all afternoon and early evening between Tully Stadium and Woodcreek.

Austin to Houston's Tully Stadium:
Passenger & Bike Buses - $35 Prepaid Fee Required
Departures begin around noon Sunday
Continuous passenger buses depart from the Austin Finish Line to Houston's Tully Stadium.
BIKES arrive at Tully Stadium.

Austin to Katy's Rhodes Stadium:
Passenger & Bike Buses - $35 Prepaid Fee Required
Departures begin around noon Sunday
Continuous passenger buses depart from the Austin Finish Line to Katy's Rhodes Stadium.
BIKES arrive at Tully Stadium, not at Rhodes Stadium.

Austin to Waller:
Passenger Buses - $35 Prepaid Fee Required
Departures begin around noon Sunday
Continuous passenger and bike buses depart from the Austin Finish Line to Waller Stadium.
BIKES arrive at Waller Stadium.

Buy your bus ticket now: https://secure3.convio.net/nmss/site/Donation2?21406.donation=form1&df_id=21406

Additional MS150 Weekend Resources:
Please refer to the MS Society's website for additional information, such as route maps, transportation, etc.
http://www.nationalmssociety.org/chapters/bp-ms-150/about-the-ride/experience-the-ride/index.aspx

Packet Pick-Up:
Every registered MS150 rider MUST pick up his/her packet to be able to join the tour.  The packet contains your rider number (to be attached to the bike, helmet and jersey), wrist band for access to MS150 facilities, luggage tags that should be attached to your overnight bags, route maps with locations of the rest stops, and much more.  Note that if you decide to withdraw from the tour after you have picked up your packet, you MUST return it to the MS Society or you will be obligated to fulfill the $400 fundraising pledge.

Team Shell will have a private packet pick-up at the One Shell Plaza Auditorium in downtown Houston on Monday, March 30, 11:00am-1:00pm.  The Auditorium is located downstairs, one floor below the street-level lobby.

If you are unable to make the team packet pick-up, you may go to one of the following public distribution sites:
- March 25, 4-7pm - Fred Haas Toyota, I-45 & Cypresswood
- March 26, 4-7pm - Don McGill Toyota Katy
- March 31, 4-7pm - Sterling McCall Toyota, 59 & Bltwy 8
- April 1, 4-7pm - Fred Haas Toyota Country, Hwy 249
- April 2, 4-7pm - Champion Toyota, 1-45 & Fuqua
- April 13, 11am - 7pm - Memorial Park, Picnic Loop
- April 17, 2-9pm - MS150 Expo, Omni Westside Hotel

You must bring a signed MS150 Waiver Form to collect your packet. Picking up packets for friends/family members is allowed, but you must also bring along their signed waivers.  Riders under the age of 18 must have a Waiver Form signed by a parent or guardian and NOTARIZED. Please do this in advance as Notary services will NOT be available at any of the packet pick-up sites.  The Waiver Form may be downloaded at:
http://www.nationalmssociety.org/chapters/bp-ms-150/about-the-ride/ToyotaPacketPick-Up/index.aspx

Weekend Training Rides:
- Sat Mar 21 - The CP Training Ride will start at Waller Stadium, not at Royal Highschool.
- Sun Mar 22 - Guaranty Bank Tour de Houston: http://www.houstontx.gov/specialevents/tourdehouston/index.html

Afif
Captain, Team Shell