Corsaire

I'm NOT talking pro level. But just wonder what are the requirements to do road racing. For running I just used to register in person the day of the race or mail it and show up that morning and off I went.
Is it the same for bike road racers or is there a special procedure / bureaucracy / qualyfication required before entering one **********
How about levels ?
Excuse my ignorance, I'm just very new at this, road racing for the average Joe that is.

Thanks

Corsaire

DXchulo

You can register the day of the race, or you can go to USA Cycling's website and get a license. You have to start in Cat 5 or Citizens, whatever they call it (just a rant- why do they call it citizens instead of Cat 5? Seems kind of demeaning.) and move up from there.

If you get a one day license you'll have to pay an extra fee. I'm not sure how much that costs, but I think an annual license costs $60. If you do lots of races the annual license is cheaper.

Corsaire

Do you need to get a LICENSE to road race ?!!! (whatta f....!)

How ridiculous!

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titanium

yeah you do, its abit like a cartle in a way. There is nothing to stop an orgainser having an event that does not require a license to race in. Thing is the organisation that sort it all out, they want your money, the only way you get points if the race is sanctioned by them, otherwise they will just not give you those points. Well, now they have power serious riders will only ride in the sanctioned events, so organisers need to follow that route, so they require every one to have a liscense.

Corsaire

Again, I don't want to race with the serious/pro dudes. Is there such a thing as Road Races for the average Joe ? come on, just like running, mail in your registration, show up and race, period!
Don't want, don't need points from any authority.

Isn't my Driver License just enough?
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DXchulo

Some groups have informal races each week that don't even have a registration fee. Heck, some group rides are actually informal races but nobody really admits it.

Actually, I remember one group that had informal races but still requred a license.

I think of it as a donation to USA Cycling, which is a worthy enough cause.

timhines

one day I would like to be in a road race, but I would be the jerk that caused a wreck in the middle of the pelotan.

On second thought, i would be so far behind that it would only be a one bike wreck.

borg

It goes exactly as stated except you will need to purchase the one-day license for like $5, which is done race day. Additionally, depending on the popularity of the race, the race may fill up. This would prohibit showing up the day of the race and expecting to get in. Without a license you would be racing the Cat 5 race...which is as close to average Joe race and you will get.

Laggard

Where I lived and raced, there were many citizen races which are open to anyone who wants to show up.

It should be noted that every citizens race contained a few Cat II and III riders.

my58vw

Licencing means that you are serious about racing, a worthy amount of money to pay for what USA cycling does...

Corsaire

Am I missing something ? I went to the USA Cycling site, but that's PRO level.

So, I take it there's no such a thing as a Normal / "average Joe" Road Race.

For races I guess I'll stick to running, life seems much simpler there!

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jbhowat

Unless you have raced before you will be racing in catagory 5. This is sometimes called citizen class. IT IS THE AVERAGE JOE RACE. I'm sure its just like running though in that the average joes in this class are bicycle enthusiasts and do train somewhat. You won't see too many people there that are obese (although... I've seen a few with some HUGE guts, they just had even BIGGER legs). You have to buy a $5 one-time license to race at a USCF event. The reason you don't have to do this for running is probably because running is way less dangerous than bicycle racing. Crashes can and do happen, and spectators, property, racers, etc are damaged. The $5 gives you one-day insurance as well (although your medical insurance will probably better cover YOU, this insurance also protects you in case somebody tries to sue you cause you kill them by making a noob mistake).

USA Cycling covers every level from Average Joe (cat 5) to Pro (Pro). There are 6 levels of racing, although sometimes they are further divided by ages:

Cat 5
Cat 4
Cat 3
Cat 2
Cat 1
Pro

Sometimes cats will be combined, Pro, 1, 2 usually are. Sometimes 4 and 5 are. It depennds on the event. Find a race, go out and get a one day liscense and race cat 5. I'm sure you'll find that it is more intense than an entry-level running race, especially if you do a crit (i recommend it!)

my58vw

That is so true!

jfmckenna

It's really not that complicated. If you want to race show up, fill out the paper work, pay a fee and find the start line. No where in any alley cat or fast group ride training race are you going to have the services that an organized race provides, i.e. closed roads for one thing.

bigskymacadam

i ran a footrace yesterday. cost me $20. seems like a $5 day license fee for a bike event is pretty cheap.

DXchulo

Well, this doesn't include the event's own registration fee, which is normally in the $20 range or above.

jbhowat

Figure about $25-30 if you don't have a license.

Corsaire

Does that include the crash too ?

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jbhowat

No. Crashing is part of racing. If you are seriously scared of crashing you will not do well. You have to go into the corners confident. Of course, the better your bike handling the better you will be able to avoid crashes. But seriously I almost recommend falling down before a race. Yes falling hurts, etc -but the first time you fall at speed it is nice to just lay there and not be run over. You have to be able to go into every corner knowing that you could bite it at any second, if not you will be too timid and will fall back and have to sprint out of every corner or get dropped - wasting tons of energy. One of my teammates has this problem I think, but I'm not sure.

My parents didn't realize how physical bike racing was until they saw it. They knew it was physically taxing obviously, but they saw a mildly physical race I was in, shoulders bumping and elbows shoving going into the corners on the final laps.

The race I did saturday was even worse, the team was controlling this pace line (my team was). There was a guy from another team in front of me, but in front of him there were 3 CSU guys. He started falling back and coming out of a corner I sprinted and got ahead of him. On the next straight he pulls up along side me and literally starts leaning his shoulder into me. Guy used to be a runner. I played hockey my whole life. He's lucky I didn't put him on the ground.

Later in the race he tried to infiltrate the CSU group in the line, he didn't bump, but started creeping towards a less experienced rider. Two of us shouted from the back not to let him in. The guys behind us in the line must not have liked him either. He got spit out of the lead group because nobody let him in. Bastard.

Corsaire

If I were to race, I'd stay away from the sprints (not my forte), rather go for the hilly/mountain races.

Can one pick such a thing ? or you have to take the sprints as well.

I supposed there are less chance for crashing on the HILLS, more chance to bonk instead

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gattm99

Yeah so I was just like you, I wanted to race with average Joes. Just people who like to ridee but haven't really went out of their way to train.

About 8 years ago I went to a race, the only race I knew of, and signed up for citizen class. Cost 30 for the race and 5 bucks for the one day race fee.

There were three other people in citizens. There were all tiny short dudes, I probably weighed about two of those guys put together.

The Course was 10 miles and had a huge hill, I climbed the hill without problems but right near the top it got insanely pretty steep. I was getting winded, one guy made a move up the hill and the other guys all just stood up and blasted up that steep part and took off like bats out of hell. I stood and started going as hard as I could, but couldn't catch back up.

The point I am getting to is that racing and riding are two totally different worlds. Best to go visit before you try and move in.

Phatman

For the maximum running-like experience, do the following (pay attention)

get a one-day license
register for a ROAD RACE, not a CRITERIUM
race

bike racing is dangerous, unlike running where a newbie runner will just start walking. an idiot cyclist can hurt other people. thus, the extra procedures. the license includes a waiver and health coverage should you hurt yourself in an event. Often bureaucracy is there for a reason.

jfmckenna

If I am in a race and some one is willing to pull up along side of me and bump me out of the way then they can have it. If it gets too out of hand they will be reported. Its dangerous enough zipping around on roads at 30mph with out anyone being an idiot. I make a big presence on the bike at 6'3'' 190 pounds and I am not afraid to reach a hand out to give a friendly push if some one is drifting over or to push off harder so that I don't go down. Bumping around in corners is normal and often time just helps to keep you on track. But anyone who agressivelly and dangerously pushes someone to gain position is an idiot and doesn't belong in the race. Your talking about cuts bruises, broken bones, head injuries and death let em win the gas money home who cares. Race smart and safe don't be the guy who crashes. Knock Knock on wood

jbhowat

^^ yeah, he was a moron. Maybe i phrased it wrong though. It was like he slide over on a gradual turn and tried to "share" the draft of the guy in front of me. That isn't going to happen. If you want to gain position, either get in front of a teammate or go for a hole. He didn't push me, but he leaned into me trying to get behind the guy i had been behind for a whole lap. I leaned back harder is all. If someone wants to fight me for a spot, you're right I'm not going to crash to keep one place. In fact i let people into the line probably more than I should, depending on who they are.

jfmckenna

yea that is part of racing. In that case a friendly but stern "NO!" usually gets the point accross.