Road Bike Racing - Racing in NYC without joining a club?

Is it possible? \My company sponsors a team that races in the CRCA series and I train with them often. I have no issue with them but do not want to join a club to race. I've looked into both the CRCA and NYCC and just can't bring myself to join either. I would like to race though. I am new to road racing (though have years experience with racing XC bikes) but wouldn't say I'm a total beginner. I'm comfortable riding in a pack and with mass starts and know how to ride in a race and with a team/pace line. I also know (right) that based on usa cycling I can race 10 cat 5 mass starts before I can move up. My question is where can I race those races that aren't club races in NYC?

Or is there any other route to racing in the city/surrounding areas outside of the club world?

The only races (that I'm aware of) in NYC that require you to be a member are the CRCA races (and you have to be a CRCA member). Most of the others are open (Floyd Bennet Field, the Kissena Prospect Park series, Kissena Twilight series, etc).

I'm an unattached racer in NYC and race road (cat 5) and track (cat 4).

what's the problem with crca, and how far are you willing to travel to race?

I'm just not the club type. I'm not there to be buddies with people. I'm not there to hang out. I just want to race. I do like the CRCA's course marshalling requirements and what not but don't want to be "forced" in it.

I've just been riding with and traing with CRCA guys for 6 months now and would prefer to keep my independence. I'm neither a club type or organization type.

I'm willing to travel far (I race in two other sports all over the world) but would like to do most of my racing in NYC.

I'm just not the club type. I'm not there to be buddies with people. I'm not there to hang out. I just want to race. I do like the CRCA's course marshalling requirements and what not but don't want to be "forced" in it.

I've just been riding with and traing with CRCA guys for 6 months now and would prefer to keep my independence. I'm neither a club type or organization type.

I'm willing to travel far (I race in two other sports all over the world) but would like to do most of my racing in NYC.

1. unless crca has dramatically changed (which i doubt) then there's no worries about it becoming a 'buddies' club.

2. if you don't want to be forced into marshaling, hire a proxy marshal.

problem solved.

1. unless crca has dramatically changed (which i doubt) then there's no worries about it becoming a 'buddies' club.

2. if you don't want to be forced into marshaling, hire a proxy marshal.

problem solved.

Thanks, but no....

The marshaling is the only part I LIKE about the CRCA.

then i don't understand the garboesque 'i want to be alone' mentality.

then i don't understand the garboesque 'i want to be alone' mentality.


I'm obtuse, what can I say. Not a team player if you will.

I'm obtuse, what can I say. Not a team player if you will.

then a standard membership with crca would be perfect for you.

Just race unattached. It's not impossible. I did it for my first season with good success.

Just race unattached. It's not impossible. I did it for my first season with good success.

impossible? no. unnecessarily expensive ? yes.

sorry, but i don't understand the OPs "logic".

if she/he wants to race every weekend, and stay local, they'll save money and time by joining crca,instead of 1 traveling to races, or 2. paying unattached fees.

on top of that, the 'i'm a loner, a rebel' spiel doesn't fly with crca seeing as it's such a huge club that there's no pressure to join with the various cliques.

ymmv

For my money, CRCA can't be beat for convenience and economy, especially living in Manhattan. Where else can you find $10 races ten minutes from home?

One can participate on any level: if you want to be a "lone wolf" you can pretty much just roll up, pay your $10, do your warmup lap and race without ever saying a word to anyone else.

On the flipside, I wouldn't be half the rider I am now (which ain't sayin ' much :D ) without the club coaching and friendly competition I have with the buddies I've met in the CRCA.

The heart of USCF racing is the club system. Without clubs there aren't races. Racing unattached for a bit when you get started and are figuring out if you want to stay with it is reasonable. COntinuing to race unttached is selfish.

Is it possible? \My company sponsors a team that races in the CRCA series and I train with them often. I have no issue with them but do not want to join a club to race. I've looked into both the CRCA and NYCC and just can't bring myself to join either. I would like to race though. I am new to road racing (though have years experience with racing XC bikes) but wouldn't say I'm a total beginner. I'm comfortable riding in a pack and with mass starts and know how to ride in a race and with a team/pace line. I also know (right) that based on usa cycling I can race 10 cat 5 mass starts before I can move up. My question is where can I race those races that aren't club races in NYC?

Or is there any other route to racing in the city/surrounding areas outside of the club world?

Are you just cheap ? your reasoning behind your issue makes you sound like an *******.

impossible? no. unnecessarily expensive ? yes.
I've never had to pay extra to race unattached.

on top of that, the 'i'm a loner, a rebel' spiel doesn't fly with crca seeing as it's such a huge club that there's no pressure to join with the various cliques.ymmv


Exactly. OP, you don't have to join a sub-team if you join the CRCA. You can if you want, but you don't have to, you can just race in the standard CRCA jersey.

Also, the peleton in NYC (Kissena and CRCA races alike) is a very close group. Most of the guys know each other and know each other well. The "buddy-buddy" thing just kind of happens when you've been racing/training next to the same guys for years.

I've never had to pay extra to race unattached.

the rules must have changed since i last raced in the US, which admittedly was awhile ago.

yes. old man.

the rules must have changed since i last raced in the US, which admittedly was awhile ago.
A lot of the races claim you have to pay extra, but when I've shown up they never charge me.

EDIT: also most of the racing I do is on the track where you don't have to pay extra to race unattached.