Originally Posted by my58vw
Starting an official USCF team is very very difficult. I do believe that they require that you put on a race, etc and you have to deal with sponsers, etc. Find out where a local race is being held than talk to people before or after, or better yet search around on the 'net and find info.
You may want to go and try a few races before joining a team though to see if you like it...
This is not true. Check out
www.usacycling.org; go to "Clubs/Teams" -> Forms -> "Clubs vs. Teams". The third paragragh says:
"... cycling tradition says you ride for a club - either a sponsored or an unsponsored club. Many riders refer to their sponsored club as a team (or segments of their club as riding on a team). However, at this time, the USCF recognizes your club only, which is why you may receive an "unattached" status on your license, especially if you listed your team designation instead of your club on your license application. Your club administrator(s) may register a sponsor designation for your club (only one such designation can be attached to a club), which would then appear on your license. If they don't choose to provide this information, or because your club has several different teams, each with their own sponsors, you may see "sponsored club" on your license, which indicates your club's registered status. It's up to you to provide your sponsor with appropriate recognition by duly noting your sponsors on your event entry forms.
By the way, only riders who belong to clubs can be sponsored; all others are considered unattached riders and are supposed to compete in clothing that doesn't bear any sponsorship identification. If your club isn't sponsored, then you are supposed to use clothing in USCF permitted events that bears only your club name (or unmarked clothing)."
The Club/Team Application requires a sponsored club to host one event yearly; "hosting" can mean co-hosting an event with another club which could involve managing registration, providing road marshalls, ... This is not a big deal. But if you search through the club list (Find a club) you will see that there are many unsponsored smaller clubs.
All the information you need is at
www.usacycling.org; it's straight forward and easy to start a club.
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