"The 33"-Road Bike Racing - Race team (club) jerseys...

I finally picked up my race team jerseys... Citrus Valley Velo tonight. Here is the url www.citrusvalleyvelo.com . This year like last their jerseys are simular to the pro Healthnet team (same sponsers), except the jersey is slightly different.

Many people say that you should wear your team kit on training rides to give your sponsers exposure. Of course I am also a member of Riverside Bicycle Club and have their jerseys, etc.

For those of you on a race team and a club which jersey do you wear on a ride? Team or club? Does it really matter?

BTW I will post a picture as soon as one is avalable...
(I am in my club jersey in the avatar)...

I wouldn't worry about it too much. I'd probably wear the team jersey more, and any time NOT on a club ride (training on your own, team ride, etc). I'd switch it up on the club ride and wear a little variety.

Thank You much for the input,

it is an interesting game with sponsers and since the sponsers pay for things like entry fees I feel like I need to suport them...

I usually wear "no advertising" cloths unless I am doing a club/team event. That is just me. If I had a LBS sponsor events for me i would certainly support their effort as much as possible.

If the sponsor is decent enough to give you support it's only reasonable that you give them as much exposure as is possible. It's in your own best interests because the more successful they become the more sponsorship they'll be able to provide in the future. It's a two edged sword.

it depends on your contract. a lot of teams have clauses that require you to train in team colours. it just happens that my team has a cool jersey, and we all look way cool.
http://www.martinswiss.net/images/stories/cxteam1.jpg

If your team requires you to ride with their kit during team rides, you should do that. If they request you wear their stuff all the time, unless they're paying for all of it, I wouldn't worry to much about doing that and feel free to wear whatever you please then.

The club/team I race for prefer you ride team rides in team cloths and always race in current team kits. Even with that policy, no one would give you grief if you didn't wear the kit on a club ride. Saying that, the sponsors do a fair share for the riders that race regularly (pro-deal bikes, clothing at cost, pro-deal shoes & helmets) and it is a small payback to wear & ride team equipment.


Nice looking kit BTW. I've always liked the HealthNet kits.

I have mixed emotions about this one.

I ride on a 'sponsored' team, yet we end up paying for everything on our own. So where is my obligation to present that sponsor at every turn?
I'll surely "fly the colors" at races, but the level of my outward display is commensurate with the amount I'm being provided.

That being said, I think we're a little money crazy in our pursuit of sponsorship. Yes, it does help defray the cost of an expensive sport, but most of the riders that I see being sponsored in my area have good jobs that pay well. They can easily afford $80 sew-up tires on their own. But offer them free stuff, and they get grabby.

Ideally, we would be supporting junior riders and people who would otherwise not be able to afford to race. That would help our sport grow.
It kills me to see Masters-level teams with all "the stuff".
But that's just me.

I have mixed emotions about this one.

I ride on a 'sponsored' team, yet we end up paying for everything on our own. So where is my obligation to present that sponsor at every turn?
I'll surely "fly the colors" at races, but the level of my outward display is commensurate with the amount I'm being provided.

That being said, I think we're a little money crazy in our pursuit of sponsorship. Yes, it does help defray the cost of an expensive sport, but most of the riders that I see being sponsored in my area have good jobs that pay well. They can easily afford $80 sew-up tires on their own. But offer them free stuff, and they get grabby.

Ideally, we would be supporting junior riders and people who would otherwise not be able to afford to race. That would help our sport grow.
It kills me to see Masters-level teams with all "the stuff".
But that's just me.

That's a great point.

EventServices has it exactly.

Some guys just don't understand the concept of putting something back into the sport. Their only interest in Junior racing is seeing their own kids on the podium: the smaller and less well-equipped the field, the better.

How does one go about getting a sponsor? I am the President and Founder of the Cycling Club (which was just recognised by the SGA on Monday :) ) at my University. There are only maybe 3 or 4 of us who are thinking about Racing, and i have a friend who can make our Logo etc on his Mac so that it can in the correct format needed to print it on a custom jersey. They only problem is that Jerseys with our school-colors and name on them would cost upwards of $65 each, with a minimum order of 6 Jerseys. Matching shorts are abou $55 each (i dont think the place has the option for Bibs). My school is tiny (1885 students) and i think we need to talk to our athletic director about being able to race, but getting a sponsor would help alot, especially with the costs etc since we probably wont get half the money that we would neeed for a team uniform from the SGA. Any suggestions?

Thanks guys...

The sponsers pay part of almost everything that we have in out team "kit". The whole kit retails for something like 350 dollars but we only pay a fraction of the cost. We are also reimbursed for racing, most of the entry fee for each race. I am not sure what the contract says for wearing on group / team rides. I would difinitly wear team colors on team rides though!

TitMerlin-

Ask local bike shops, it will be difficult to get much as far as sponsorship with only 3 riders and the first year as a team. My team gets our clothes from verge sports. excellent stuff, maybe try their site. I'm sure price is quantity dependent, but for team members our jerseys are only $40, they EXCELLENT bib shorts I just bought (which the local shop sells for over a hundred) are $50, etc.

There are several different strategies for acquiring sponsorship, but the main point is to present a well-thought-out proposal of what you're asking for. And then shop it around to as many prospective sponsors as you can.
It should include sections on:
- what is bike racing? Don't assume they know.
- what are your team's goals/objectives? Are you racing locally? Regionally? Nationally? Are you developing new riders? Are you coaching Olympic hopefuls?
- what are you willing to provide to your sponsor aside from having the name emblazoned on your jersey?
- who is on your team? What's they're story?
- what is your team's proposed budget? Are we talking $500 for gas money? Or are we trying to cover a $10k clothing bill?

Get used to hearing "We don't have money budgeted for sports marketing." or "The economy is bad; we haven't had a good year." or just plain "no. good bye."


Man, I could talk for hours on this topic. In fact, I'm currently doing research in preparation for writing a book about sponsorship. The whole relationship between sponsor and rider is a huge topic that is often given short shrift.

When you consider the wide range of involvement from the Saturn Cycling Team concept all the way down the food chain to the LBS, it's mind-boggling.

And I fault the USCF/USA Cycling for not taking a more active role in educating Clubs on this issue. They are completely asleep at the wheel (on a lot of issues). As a governing body, they should offer some sort of guidance.

Oh, but I dream.

We are thinking about joining the ECCC (Eastern Collegiate Cycling Conference) which includes schools like Bucknell, Penn State, Princeton, Harvard etc. We'd be in Division 2 of course. The best riders from that go to Nationals and what not i think, and then i personally plan on racing in Cat 5's over the summer. I've only been biking for two years and am not in the best of shape right now (bad winter in terms of staying fit) so we dont plan on racing in the ECCC this year. At the moment, we are trying to lay some Solid groundwork for next year (Junior Year for me) with the hopes of bringing in some new freshman riders for when I am a senior who are interested in racing so that the Club doesnt die once i graduate. We're trying to set a schedule and Club goals for the short and long term - which obviously includes racing at some point. I might try and get an Internship this summer or next for something along the Wachovia Series or something (a buddy of mine suggested it to me but i cant remember exactly what he said). Either way, we could get club jerseys for all the members of the club even if they arent racing.

As far as the LBS around here, there actually isnt one in Selinsgrove. I know there is one down in Sunbury (or is Salsbury?) where Bucknell is located, but they have their own team. Theres also a shop across the river but i've never been to it and from looks (i drove by it one day) it looks pretty small. Will have to check it out this weekend perhaps.

As far as our budget goes, i think we are looking at around $1300 (what we want) which covers getting 10 jerseys, 10 shorts, $50 Membership Fee for the ECCC, and $40 for 4 racers to go to 2 races each (would get the $5 day-license for each race. We'd also have to add the money the school would give us for gas with is 10-cents a mile or gallon, forget which since we'd be traveling to a few spots in PA and NJ and would forgo the races up in NH area.

Here is the photos of the new citrus valley velo Health Net presented by Maxxis team kit... enjoy...

(photos taken on the beautiful warmup loop on campus before I go and do my usual ride (if a ride is usual).

I always wear my team kit when I ride in Austin. They have forked over quite a bit of money to give us our uniforms and it's only fair that I give them the biggest bang for their buck. I wear it sometimes when I'm in L.A. for conversation sake and because it looks pretty freakn' cool.

TMerlin, what school do you attend? Looking at some Pennsylvania shools, myself.

My problem is that I have two groups to support, RBC and their sponsers and Citrus Valley Velo and their sponsers... of course the race team gives me more so...

I attend Susquehanna University....its literally 20 mins down the road from Bucknell (gives you the oppurtunity to visit two schools at once...hehe). Though the town is smaller here then at Bucknell, we have the WalMart, Mall, and Movie Theatre 2 mins away while it is closer to 20 for them. Theres also supposedly some racetrack (for cars....dont know the specifics) if you are into that stuff. I'm from Jersey...so Nascar etc is looked down upon from there...personal preference really.

As far as those of us who will be racing next year, theres currently me (Sophomore), a Junior, another Sophomore and a Freshman, so we are really only loosing the one senior at the end of this year.

Thanks for the reply. I applied to Dickinson and Lafayette... still waiting to hear back. If I end up at one and it doesn't have a team, then it will by the end of the year hopefully.

I'd say to just add the jerseys into your rotation, and wear them when they are clean. If they expect you to train at all times in the team gear, they should GIVE you stuff and more then one or two sets of clothes. I'm NOT gonna buy 3 sets of jerseys (~50bucks each) and 3 sets of bib shorts (~65)

anyway, I rock my NC state jersey whenever its clean, it gives sponsors some exposure, and I dont get honked at as much, since it seems like veryone who lives in raleigh either goes to state or is an alum.

"they should GIVE you stuff and more then one or two sets of clothes."

"Though the town is smaller here then at Bucknell,"

The word is than not then.

You know Berny, the E is so close to the A on these keyboards. That mistake is going to heppan oftan.

"they should GIVE you stuff and more then one or two sets of clothes."

"Though the town is smaller here then at Bucknell,"

The word is than not then.

GRAMMAR B!TCH! or should I say grammer *****

"they should GIVE you stuff and more then one or two sets of clothes."

"Though the town is smaller here then at Bucknell,"

The word is than not then.

While we're on it, this is driving me crazy as well... It's sponsors, not sponsers.

oooh noooeesssssss it's the spelling/grammar police! :D

As far as our budget goes, i think we are looking at around $1300 (what we want) which covers getting 10 jerseys, 10 shorts, $50 Membership Fee for the ECCC, and $40 for 4 racers to go to 2 races each (would get the $5 day-license for each race. We'd also have to add the money the school would give us for gas with is 10-cents a mile or gallon, forget which since we'd be traveling to a few spots in PA and NJ and would forgo the races up in NH area.

$1300 for a year is fairly cheap. I don't see anything in the budget for spare tubes, tires, wheels, socks.

I would check your alumni relations office. Someone might be able to make a donation. Maybe do a bake sale, car wash, etc .... You might be able to raise the money without having to sell the space.

If you do go the advertising route, someone at your school is going to want to have a say about who gets to advertise next to their name (remember, they have a branded interest in how they're represented). I'm sure you'll have some political board to deal with. Just think of it as a headwind. You've probably dealt with it in creating the club.

Beyond that, think about who might benefit from advertising their name on your jersey. Banks make loans to students, they might have an interest in having their name be seen by prospective loan-applying students (and their parents). Schools sometimes have favored banks. Find that out. Auto dealerships, real estate, health clubs. Who knows. It just takes one 'yes'.

Do work out somewhat of a business plan. Not only your expenses but also the races you plan on racing in and what the expected number of people who will see the event. What's their demographic if possible. What kind of exposure will they get for their money. ROI - return on investment (but don't make promises you can't keep). I don't think you'll need to do a powerpoint presentation but they'll like to see you've thought it through.

Most LBS I know of work on a tight budget. I doubt they would be able to provide cash. But, maybe they can provide some mechanic work, tune-ups or a discount for name placement. Not everything has to be cash.

This was a book we read in college
http://www.gmarketing.com/

Didn't mean to prattle, hope some of this helps.

"they should GIVE you stuff and more then one or two sets of clothes."

"Though the town is smaller here then at Bucknell,"

The word is than not then.


jezze man, your life must suck.

it depends on your contract. a lot of teams have clauses that require you to train in team colours. it just happens that my team has a cool jersey, and we all look way cool.
http://www.martinswiss.net/images/stories/cxteam1.jpg

which is you?