"The 33"-Road Bike Racing - How to pick a team/club?

There are a couple clubs in my area. What are some good criteria to look for? I've gone through the process of choosing a fraternity, of choosing a bank, etc., but I know there are some things in a racing team I should be looking for... ideas?

Also, if I'm already on my collegiate team, do I really need to join a separate club?

1 how well you get along with the riders in the club.

2 what their kit looks like.

1 how well you get along with the riders in the club.

+1, a nice kit is a plus too

Also, if I'm already on my collegiate team, do I really need to join a separate club?

Does the college team work out year round? Do you want to work out year round? What needs does the college team not meet?

If the college meets all your needs then you have little need for an outside club, thought you might want to affialiate with one looking to the future. If the college does not meet all your needs then look toward a club that provides what you are not getting from the college team.

i forgot to mention the good news.

unlike your frat, you don't need to slip a drunk co-ed a Rohypnol to become a member.

The kit is the most important thing. You can't ride your best if you feel like a tool and are worried your kit makes you look like a clown.

I heard the Cow Town Cycling Club out of Greeley is recruiting new riders though. I'm not sure but they may have even gotten a former German pro named Jan.

Could be worth looking into. ;)

Ok, to answer a couple questions:
1) There are no "official" workouts year round, but we do have team rides every weekend throughout the year.
2) I want to work out year round.
3) I'm not sure what needs my college team fulfills/falls short of, as this is my first (and last) season with them. On that note, since I will be graduating this May, perhaps I should join a local team so I can keep riding post-graduation, especially since I'll be living/working in the area...

Also consider the makeup of the team. If your just starting out, do they have other Cat 4/5 riders? Do they have more experienced riders who are willing to help new riders?

Does their level of commitment match yours? If the team is made up moslty of very serious 1's, and 2's, and you see yourself peaking as a 4, and not devoting every free moment to it, you won't be a good fit.

On the other hand, if you are very motivated and looking to compete at a high level,and the team is made up of guys that are more socially oriented you won't be a good fit either.

So I'd consider the age, experience, talent,and commitment mix of the teams you're looking at, and see where you fit best.

I've found that some teams are super serious and hard core, while others are more loose with their approach. Some teams are so big and spread out that riders only see each other at the races, and others were so small that same 2 or 3 racers from that team also train together all the time. Some teams are geared towards development of young Cat 5/4 while others are focused on Masters. So look for the teams that fit your situation and goals.

As a graduating college racer with 1 season, your prob going to be a Cat 4 looking for a good developmental team with a bunch of other 20-somethings. If your really serious, you should look at who the coaches are and what types of training programs they can offer. If your looking to just have fun, find one that fit's your lifestyle better (e.g. like to do charity rides in addition to racing, beer socials, etc.)

You can also ask the regional forum what teams are around in DC area, though you may want to ask Dr. Pete. He just joined a DC team, so he may have the skinny on the scene.

Just my 2 cents...

I ride with DrPete and the Route1 guys some, but not enough to really get a feel for them.

When is a good time to start contacting some of these teams to notify them that I may be interested in joining? I feel that doing a couple rides with the team is a good way to get to know them and the team's general "corporate culture," if we can call it that.

I say right now. What a team does off-season is a pretty good indication of how serious they are and who the more active members are (i.e. the real leadership of the team.)

^^^^
Also, you want to get on board while there's time to get a kit. I missed my new team's order and am going to have to wait for the next run.

And this time of year a lot of the attitudes on club rides tend to be a little more relaxed before the seriou training and racing starts later in the year.

I ride with DrPete and the Route1 guys some, but not enough to really get a feel for them.

When is a good time to start contacting some of these teams to notify them that I may be interested in joining? I feel that doing a couple rides with the team is a good way to get to know them and the team's general "corporate culture," if we can call it that.

You should totally head out for our sunday rides. We're in the midst of our racing skills clinic put on by our 2's/3's. Good stuff, relaxed atmosphere and good training. Much more racing-oriented than the usual sunday ride, but also very relaxed/fun.

9AM at the shop...

I'll be there tomorrow.

9AM at the shop...

Hey DrPete - I was in DC for Christmas and went out with my girlfriend to prowl around U of MD (as she might apply for a PhD there); I assume your 'shop' is the one right by campus with all the odd old steel frames tied to the ceiling? Quite a shop!

'the shop' is actually Capitol Hill Bikes in DC, SE from the Capitol a couple blocks.

Hey DrPete - I was in DC for Christmas and went out with my girlfriend to prowl around U of MD (as she might apply for a PhD there); I assume your 'shop' is the one right by campus with all the odd old steel frames tied to the ceiling? Quite a shop!

That shop is Proteus bikes, not the one I race with/for, but an EXCELLENT LBS. Almost bought an Orbea from them, then I decided on the Pinarello.

What program is your girlfriend applying to? My wife is working on her Ph.D. at U of MD right now.

I'll be there tomorrow.

Tomorrow's a short TT that we'll repeat in a month or so, so make sure you're fueled up.

NCVC rides leave from Dean & Delucca on Sunday mornings at 9am. Also, you should head down to Haines Point at noon, weekdays during the spring, summer, and fall. Whole bunch of teams down there for lunchtime laps.

Sounds like you've got some interest in Route 1. Good luck! :)

Excellent thread!!! This has inspired me to join a local club/team. I have been a member of a very large cycling club for the last year but the club/team that I recently joined is more race oriented. I got my race license and stopped by to pick up a couple of the team kits this afternoon, which are very cool looking BTW:D

I appreciate the motivation even though I was not the OP!!!

Since you don't know what kind of rider you are and how to train, which team to join does not matter much. A team with an open door policy may be easier to get hooked up. Once you begin to race and train with your team, you will eventually realize what kind of rider you are and what do you want to do. You goal may in conflict with that of the team. In that case, it is time to move on. Racing is still a hobby. If you have transportation to drive to races and be able to get good deals (Ebay) on bike parts, you really don't lose out much. Hopefully you will get good results so that other more serious teams may be interested in you.


There are a couple clubs in my area. What are some good criteria to look for? I've gone through the process of choosing a fraternity, of choosing a bank, etc., but I know there are some things in a racing team I should be looking for... ideas?

Also, if I'm already on my collegiate team, do I really need to join a separate club?

That shop is Proteus bikes, not the one I race with/for, but an EXCELLENT LBS. Almost bought an Orbea from them, then I decided on the Pinarello.

What program is your girlfriend applying to? My wife is working on her Ph.D. at U of MD right now.

Actually it sounds to me like he is talking about College Park Bikes, on Knox Road. Proteus is down the road a piece from Campus.

Gotta put the word in for my team, Squadra Coppi, out in Arlington. Team ride is Sunday at the Java Shack on Wilson, leaving at 8:30. We have a strong focus on racing (no touring-only guys allowed), but we're not psycho, and there's no elite team. Plus our kits are the sharpest around, if I may say so. www.squadracoppi.com

+1 on Hain's Point, especially Thursday nights in the summer. Doing that 1 mile wind-up into a sprint finish, it's better than racing.

I'll be in the DC area at the end of '07. I've been looking through teams. I'm curious how a team the size of Squadra Coppi or any other teams that size work out. 49 Cat 4 men is a lot of guys. Even 22 Cat 3 guys seems like a big group of guys. Are there smaller "teams" within the team that typically work together? Or for any other team of that size, how have you found that it works?

I'm in a "club" of about 10-15 regular riders but only 4-5 of us train to race or race with intent to achieve results.

i need to do this soon. its just not as fun riding unattached.

i forgot to mention the good news.

unlike your frat, you don't need to slip a drunk co-ed a Rohypnol to become a member.

Or after you tell her you're a racer.

So it's down to:
- Coppi
- Route 1
- NCVC

Coppi is good because it's based in my neck of the woods. Bad because (i think) it doesn't have any major sponsorships.

Route 1 is good because I won't be a nobody. Specialized is a sponsor. Bad because all club events happen in DC.

NCVC is good because they're located everywhere. Bad because I'll be an anonymous nobody. Cannondale sponsorship.

Isn't Prince William Elite Racing based out there?

I'll be curious to see where you go. It's official for me that come December of this year I'll be residing in NoVA so I'll be doing some team hunting on the way. Route 1 looks like it might be a great choice. Capitol Hill Bikes is only a couple blocks from work. Problem is I might be living further from the DC city center so a group down by Fredricksburg/Stafford may be a must.

Last year was my first year racing and I joined a larger club in my area that had some good sponsorships so I could save money on tires, parts, clothing, etc. While I enjoyed hanging out with some of the guys, I found that being on a team as big as it was, I never was able to connect with guys of similar skill level and get to the point where we road together all the time. I met some other guys my age (college students) who started a team of abouot 14guys based out of KC that race and we are all in the Cat4/5/3 range with most of us being rather new to riding. I think this makes it more fun as they are my age and I feel like I am actually on a team. I think as your first year racing, just try to get out there and find a team with good discounts, join it, and then try to meet all the different teams when you race and see which one you want to join for the next year.
~Nick

I'll be curious to see where you go. It's official for me that come December of this year I'll be residing in NoVA so I'll be doing some team hunting on the way. Route 1 looks like it might be a great choice. Capitol Hill Bikes is only a couple blocks from work. Problem is I might be living further from the DC city center so a group down by Fredricksburg/Stafford may be a must.

I know everyone will toot their club's horn, but Route 1 is a great club. We're not the largest club in the area, but we have a very high percentage of "Regulars." For instance, in pretty much any mens 4 race in the area we can count on having 6-12 guys show up, and we'll usually do pretty well. A few will be making the jump to cat 3, but we'll still race together in the 3/4 races. And it's just a good bunch of folks coming from all walks of life. It's great to have a common thread with people you otherwise might never meet.

Isn't Prince William Elite Racing based out there?

Never heard of 'em

Never heard of 'em

They may actually be a little further south than Herndon... www.power18.net

yeah, much further south.

One of our teammates is on DrPete's team, BD.

You can still use the school team affiliation (so as not to pay other fees) if you want to do uscf races this summer. Considering that we have done a summer kit order in the past, there ought to be several of us still around to train with.

I was thinking about Route1 because NCVC is such a huge team, and I like the Specialized sponsorship part, even though a Route1 rider snotted on me at Jeff Cup. Look before you spit or snotrocket on your paceline, people!

^^^ We've also got a growing women's squad in the 3's/4's, and your teammate is putting in some strong performances. She's off to a great start this season!

I dunno... the red kit clashes with my blue specialized much more than your red/black Pinny. I might have to buy a new bike to go with Route1. Hmmmm... new bike....

She's crazy strong. We really needed her last weekend. Our other A rider gets really harrassed by some nasty girls at a school I'd love to name but won't. Something about econ exams. Bah. School.

Most of our grads tend to go to NCVC.

What is with all the red kits around here?

i'm biased towards rt1

I dunno... the red kit clashes with my blue specialized much more than your red/black Pinny. I might have to buy a new bike to go with Route1. Hmmmm... new bike....


:lol: +1. But I still don't like red.

im leaning towards route 1 too but thats mainly because they are the only people i have ridden with.

the power guys seem nice but they are just too far away.

I figure when the wakefield ride starts i will meet people on teams closer to me. I know that bike lane team is right near by me.

I am also interested in coppi since they start in VA but i havent ridden with them.

ncvc is cool too but i dont know if i want to be on a team that big. i kind of feel the same about route 1. there just seems like there are soooo many of you guys.

now that i am riding at hains point some what regularly maybe i will find a team that way too.

this is way harder for me then it should be.

of course if i move into the district in the next few months like planned stuff will be easier.

I dunno... the red kit clashes with my blue specialized much more than your red/black Pinny. I might have to buy a new bike to go with Route1. Hmmmm... new bike....

man if we are going with colors i better just go with coppi since i have the bike for the kit

ncvc is cool too but i dont know if i want to be on a team that big. i kind of feel the same about route 1. there just seems like there are soooo many of you guys.

We're a much smaller club. We just field a lot of racers.

We're a much smaller club. We just field a lot of racers.

At the umd race i saw a few guys meeting each other for the first time at the race. i can imagine that being frustrating if its a norm.

Of course if I keep doing the sunday rides i imagine i would meet most people.

At the umd race i saw a few guys meeting each other for the first time at the race. i can imagine that being frustrating if its a norm.

Of course if I keep doing the sunday rides i imagine i would meet most people.

Yeah, we have a lot of new members in the 5's, but in the 4's and up there's a group of regulars.

one of the many awesome things about your team is CHB is awesome. The one guy in there is just so friendly.

one of the many awesome things about your team is CHB is awesome. The one guy in there is just so friendly.

+1. The whole crew at CHB is fantastic, and they're really committed to supporting the team. Great, great people.

^^^ you guys are behind the curve on the team joining. Racing started almost a month ago, team kits not only have been ordered, they're in - you'll be rummaging through the extras box hoping for correct size; club rides and learning/development opportunities are limited now because everyone is racing or recovering rather than having the time to coach you up.

Anyway, good luck - checking out the early race season representation and results, looks like Rte 1 Velo (Dr. Pete's team - not sure the current name) has a big crew of 4s that are racing well.

BD and Riskus - A team mate of mine who is a coach is having a skills clinic in Howard County, MD on 4/21. PM me if interested and I'll send you the beta.

yeah i know im behind on this and because of that I may end up waiting til the fall to find a team. i slacked.

Id definitely be interesting in that skills clinic but i work on saturdays.