"The 33"-Road Bike Racing - More than one team?

Is it possible to be on more than one team at one time?

The story: My buddy is starting up a pretty laid back team, more focused on community and group rides and fun and friends (probably won't be attending a whole lot of races). On the other hand, I've gotten interest from a local team (focused on training and racing) about joining up once I reach CAT 4. Is it in bad form to join up with both? Is it even allowed? If so, what are the benefits/limitation?

Is it possible to be on more than one team at one time?

You can be on as many as you like. You can compete for only one at a time.

I'm pretty certain you can only affiliate one team on your racing license. However you can join the racing team, list them on your license, and still buy a Jersey from your friends team, and support their community efforts/rides.


Only problem with that approach could be your team's sponsor's expectations. If your team is getting sponsorship money, the general expectation (and often your contractual obligation) is to wear their kits all the time.

Basically, if your getting money from your sponsor, you owe them loyalty. If your "team" is a bunch of guys racing together, I wouldn't worry about supprting your buddy's endeavor as well.

I was going to read the actual rule, and can't get on USA Cycling. Get directed to a wbsite with a big GO Daddy ad on top. Anyone else having this issue?

You are allowed to affiliate with as many teams as you like. It is only governed by any contractual obligations to sponsors or team that you may have.

You can only represent one team in racing.

The way most clubs handle this is by having a "Club" that is focused on community and general cycling, and then (sometimes) many teams that operate under this clubs specific name.

A great example of this is BBC (Buffalo Bicycling Club) if you goto USA Cycling (which is working now that they've paid their bills :) ) and goto the "clubs/teams.bike shops>>" and select "Find a club" and type "Buffalo" into the search box, then select Buffalo Bicycling Club and you'll notice on the lower left of their details page there are a number of teams that race under their jurisdiction so to speak.

I am on two teams. I am a non-racing member (and actually board member) on one that is more of a club, and race for the other. When I started cycling I joined the club and raced for them when I started racing. But then I was picked up by another team and still associate with the first club but as I said race for the other.

Just don't ever "take advantage" of the situation and I doubt anyone will care. It is interesting that most of the members of the club team (I think we are categorized as a racing club rather than a racing team) that race consistently do so on other teams, and I do sometimes get some flak for it. It's kind of a chicken-and-egg situation: the racers want to be on teams with support but there is no support because all the racers are on different teams.

The fight is so viscous because the stakes are so low. :roflmao2: