Road Cycling - Cycling Club Startup

I'm attempting at this point to start a cycling club in my high school up. I found a faculty sponsor, and everything looks good on the school administration end, but I was wondering about what else is needed? Do we have to send in anything in to the USCF? Would anything be nice to arrange with the USCF even if we wouldn't need to send in anything? This club -hopefully- will be covered by my team, as this will be designed to feed new juniors on to my "regular" racing team, and it sounds like my team club will arrange something if possible.

In addition to the paperwork, what type of things should we do, to start newbies off during the off-season?

Thanks,
Matt

I think the first thing I would do is contact a local bike shop with regard to sponsorship, discount programs, publicity, etc. I'd also look into insurance issues with a commercial agent, espeially if you plan organized events.

wow.... a high school cycling club?? i don't think anyone in my HS even knew what road cycling was at that age :).

Matt,
Great idea! I would suggest keeping it pretty low key initially. You don't need to sign the club up with your state racing association or USCF unless you plan to compete as a team or put on sanctioned events. Go for rides together, keep it fun, even though you may be a racer, realize that the others may need some base building before they can start doing anything too long or strenuous or some will be hurting and lose interest. Have a place for anyone who wants to ride, even if they are not keen to race. They may get interested later. Even if a racing team does develop, keep the overall organization a club more than a team. You may be keen to go 20, but the others may only be capable of 12 for a while. Keep things in perspective and be patient. Encourage CYCLING not just racing.

Keep it fun!
FWIW,
Raymond

Props to you!!! I wish my school was as openminded. I graduated last year, and all four years I was trying to form something. I could only find a couple people intrested. BUT those few grew over the 4 years and outside of school we kicked butt. It was good because I had alot of experience from working in a LBS since I was 14 and biking for even longer. Don't try to push the beginners like you would yourself. But your close friends and/or the ones that have been biking try to encourage them to push themselves as hard as possible. Also try to find a LBS like someone already mentioned, even if its 5% discount it helps. Also take riders there just to look around.. the goodies would turn ANYONE on to the sport.

Hope that helps, if you need anything email me.

Call the USCF for all details. Especially look into the insurance. No insurance do not even do it.

Take it from years of experience in all aspects of the sport.

It may seem great and everyone is nice, but all it takes is one person to sue someone and you will be first in line. That is why locally in the past and some still today do not get involved with teams.

Some shops also may ask you for insurance. Especially if you plan on having rides leave the shop. Sadly I seen a few shops get tied up in courts simply because people would leave rides from their parking lots.

IMBA you may also want to look into.

Also talk to the school to see on the insurance issue from that end.

Dealing with High School get ready to deal with parents. One major reason why junior racing is in the sad state it is today.

There may be other organizatins local to you. Check with them as well.

Also talk to all local shops and be in good standing. Now it is when it pays to have been a nice guy.