birdadam

Hey all,

I only started riding road about a year ago, but I am 20 years old, and am riding with one of the faster group rides in Toronto (Donut Ride). I want to try out a few races this coming season (2012).

I've read a bunch of the posts on the forums about starting to race, but a lot of the specific info seems to be for the US. I'm a little confused about the process in Canada. Do I need to get a license with the UCI or the CCA? How exactly do I do this?

Also, any ideas for races to start out with in the Toronto area? I don't really care what distance they are.

Thanks for any advice,

Adam

mollusk

https://www.canadian-cycling.com/cca/home.shtml
https://www.ontariocycling.org/

birdadam

I can't seem to find an extensive list of the races. The best one I found had only 1 race listed:

https://issmembership.com/oca/ocaeventregistration.asp

rkwaki

It's early, the race listings will come.

birdadam

OK thanks, I thought that might be the case.

What about getting a license? What is the difference between a "citizen license" and "cat 5 license" ?

rkwaki

To be honest I don't remember. I'll poke around a little.
There are several active canucks that will respond I'm sure.

skinnyguy

You will need an OCA/UCI license. Ontariocycling.org will be putting up the online registration soon. The race schedule comes out a little later. You will start w/ a cat 4 license as there is not cat 5 in ontario. Midweek cycling runs races every thursday or some thing like that. That will help you get your feet wet. www.midweekclub.ca/

rbart4506

midweek races ever Tuesday...

OCA (Ontario Cycling Association) to get your license....You will start at the Senior 4 level and move up from there...This will be a UCI license so you are covered to race in the US if you so choose, which BTW is where the good races are.

There's a preliminary race list on the OCA site...https://www.ontariocycling.org/2012-p...-announcement/

You basically have 5-6 O-Cup races, an O-Cup TT, Provincial RR, TT and crit...Plus some regional races...Then there are races that are put on by local clubs, like the Hamilton Cycling Club...

jdon

Link on the bottom line of "Rider" section.
https://www.ontariocycling.org/oca-me...-uci-licences/

graphs

I would suggest starting with the Midweek Monday night learn to race sessions. Even though you've done the Donut, that won't quite set you up for the Tuesday crits, IMO. They are pretty fast and can be plenty sketchy without first-time racers trying to mix it up.

If you're not already riding with a club, I'd suggest finding a group you like to ride with and they can help you get up to speed on local races, which unfortunately are pretty sparse. Racing in Ontario means a lot of travelling. There are a couple crits in the city but most road races are in the Niagara/Guelph/KW area or up towards Ottawa.

Where are you located in Toronto?

birdadam

Gotcha. I'll be sure to check out the learn to race sessions.

East end. Gerrard & Coxwell. But the subway can get me and my bike most anywhere in the city.

graphs

True. But even better is riding to get anywhere in the city!

As for clubs based out of the east side, Endurosport and Gears both have shops in Leaside and they both have racing teams. Not sure what criteria they have for new riders but they were the first that spring to mind. Here is a list of all OCA affiliated clubs: https://www.ontariocycling.org/clubs/...iliated-clubs/ Do a little digging and see if there's any that strike your fancy.

birdadam

Thanks!

kensuf

https://www.donutride-toronto.ca

birdadam

Already riding the Donut once a week (or twice if I have time).

kensuf

And no one there can tell you about local races?

graphs

There definitely is but it's usually quite a big group. Maybe birdman is shy?

The preliminary list rbart posted is the one to follow anyway. If a race isn't on there it probably isn't happening, though there's a couple races missing that hopefully will appear by the time the final schedule is up.

birdadam

Haha yeah I know a few guys in the group who could definitely help me out with some races. I'm in university and have been in exams for the last month, so I haven't ridden for a while. I'll likely be donuting in a week and a half, and I'll ask some people then.

Biscayne05

I'm hoping to race one day too although I started late. I'm going to try and join a club and take it from there. I don't wanna jump the gun and get injured.

Any tips/suggestions in what to avoid when joining clubs? Do some of these clubs push you to join with money upfront? I see some clubs trying to give you the image of them HTFU-ing every ride or "we're pros, so join us".

I've been into grouprides but I want a regular riding group now. I live in the West End of the city if that matters.

graphs

Most clubs will let you join in for a ride or two but they will eventually ask you for money. It's not a cash grab but because they technically are not permitted to allow riders that aren't insured by the OCA.

Not really sure what you mean with the htfu/we're pro comment though. Like, if a group rides and trains well together then it would seem like they are just good at cycling. I doubt it's an attempt to show off.

rkwaki

Is CHIN Picnic still running up there? That was always a great race with big money on the CNE grounds.

graphs

Yep! It actually ended up being the Masters Nationals crit last year after the downtown Burlington course got cancelled. Probably be the only race in downtown T.O. this year because it doesn't look like the crit at St. Lawrence Market is happening.

rkwaki

Great course, very fast.
Are guys like Donnie Andrews, Darko Ficko, Piers Davidge and Radek Lukasec still around?

graphs

Darko is still racing in Elite 1 for Jet Fuel/La Bicicletta. Radek rides for Wheels of Bloor who have just about the strongest Masters racing team in the province. I don't know either of them personally but they're pretty well known guys Ontario racing. Not familiar with the other fellows.

I actually am super afraid of the CHIN course. I missed it two years ago because of a concussion and last year because I wanted to save myself for the Nationals RR the next day but I always go watch. I've seen more broken bikes, wheels and ambulance rides from that race than any other. As much as I'd love to do a race that's a 5 minute ride from home, it straight up scares me.

graphs

I'll probably do it this year though