Who is going unattached for '08?
11-20-07, 03:50 PM
#26
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What area of SoCal are you in? You said northern end of SoCal--I'm thinking Bakersfield?
11-20-07, 03:58 PM
#28
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11-20-07, 04:27 PM
#29
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Not quite that far north. I live in Apple Valley, it's near Victorville, Hesperia, Oak Hills, etc.
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11-20-07, 04:52 PM
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11-20-07, 05:40 PM
#31
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I'll ride unattached for a while next season. I look forward to finding a team though probably late spring after getting out on different club rides and seeing how teams train/race/support each other. After my experience with our club/racers here in Japan, I want to be sure the folks I consider racing with/supporting are going to be at least close to my commitment level.
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11-20-07, 05:42 PM
#32
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I just tell everyone the socks make me go 'faster'!!
11-20-07, 06:19 PM
#33
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I think I might have to get one of those Unattached kits for the last month or two of next season.
11-20-07, 06:45 PM
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I raced 2 years ago unattached, then last year with a team. For me, riding with the team was way more fun. Having said that, I am glad I rode unattached for a while to learn about the teams in the area and pick one that suits me well.
11-20-07, 06:53 PM
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Repo Man - I'm disappointed that whenever Emilio Estevez comes out with a new movie his credits don't include that one.
teams, imo, are a bit overrated, especially the selective ones. It's some of those which have the most animosity between teammates - all wearing the same outfit but chasing each other down etc.
I prefer a more laid back style of team. More club like. After all, I'm just a Cat 3. Who am I kidding? I want to go to a race, hang out with the guys, try and influence the race, then grin and laugh afterwards. None of the totally serious stuff I see here and there, no arguments about who should have done what. That's just not fun. One of my "teammates" is a guy on a different team who is an arch rival at my own race series. But anywhere else I'll work for him - he's a good guy, we know each other's style, and we offer each other help whenever we think we're not going to be sprinting well. Just happens that he has an agenda regarding his team which doesn't match mine.
Teams (not clubs) should be free. Maybe you get a jersey - and your membership fee = cost of jersey. Should involve everyone, not one poor guy running around like a chicken with its head cut off. Everyone should pitch in on something - uniform order, design, distribution, team meetings, pizza nights, group rides, anything but nothing. Everyone should have a chance to be the leader, even if they're not the best finisher or time trialer or whatever. It's very illuminating to be a designated leader for the day if you've never been one.
Numbers help - five racers in a field is nice, 10 is even nicer, esp if people aren't selfish with their work. A bunch of Cat 3s and 4s can even shut down a national level racer if there are enough of the 3s and 4s and they're willing to sacrifice (it took 18 guys to do it but it worked).
I have my own team. I use it to promote my races and I also tried to avoid picking a shop in my former area since I'm supposed to be a bit detached as a CT rep. But I'm seriously rethinking that plan - I may join one of two clubs if they'll have me. I'll keep the name of the team regardless (Carpe Diem Racing - go figure) and the promotion organization (Carpe Diem Promotions of course). A few guys across the country use the team now and then and at least one guy will use the team on his license (he lives/rides in CO) in 2008. I'll have to decide in the next month or so.
btw If any of you unattached racers (Cat 3-5) want to put down Carpe Diem Racing (it's in the online drop down menu when you apply for a license), go ahead. Save some unattached fees on me. When you join a "real" team just update your profile so that team and its sponsors get proper credit. If you're a Cat 3-5, you don't have to wear your team kit (Cat 1s and 2s do). Wear something generic so you won't get in trouble (you can't misrepresent which team you're on, so you can't wear Team B's kit if you belong to Team A).
cdr
teams, imo, are a bit overrated, especially the selective ones. It's some of those which have the most animosity between teammates - all wearing the same outfit but chasing each other down etc.
I prefer a more laid back style of team. More club like. After all, I'm just a Cat 3. Who am I kidding? I want to go to a race, hang out with the guys, try and influence the race, then grin and laugh afterwards. None of the totally serious stuff I see here and there, no arguments about who should have done what. That's just not fun. One of my "teammates" is a guy on a different team who is an arch rival at my own race series. But anywhere else I'll work for him - he's a good guy, we know each other's style, and we offer each other help whenever we think we're not going to be sprinting well. Just happens that he has an agenda regarding his team which doesn't match mine.
Teams (not clubs) should be free. Maybe you get a jersey - and your membership fee = cost of jersey. Should involve everyone, not one poor guy running around like a chicken with its head cut off. Everyone should pitch in on something - uniform order, design, distribution, team meetings, pizza nights, group rides, anything but nothing. Everyone should have a chance to be the leader, even if they're not the best finisher or time trialer or whatever. It's very illuminating to be a designated leader for the day if you've never been one.
Numbers help - five racers in a field is nice, 10 is even nicer, esp if people aren't selfish with their work. A bunch of Cat 3s and 4s can even shut down a national level racer if there are enough of the 3s and 4s and they're willing to sacrifice (it took 18 guys to do it but it worked).
I have my own team. I use it to promote my races and I also tried to avoid picking a shop in my former area since I'm supposed to be a bit detached as a CT rep. But I'm seriously rethinking that plan - I may join one of two clubs if they'll have me. I'll keep the name of the team regardless (Carpe Diem Racing - go figure) and the promotion organization (Carpe Diem Promotions of course). A few guys across the country use the team now and then and at least one guy will use the team on his license (he lives/rides in CO) in 2008. I'll have to decide in the next month or so.
btw If any of you unattached racers (Cat 3-5) want to put down Carpe Diem Racing (it's in the online drop down menu when you apply for a license), go ahead. Save some unattached fees on me. When you join a "real" team just update your profile so that team and its sponsors get proper credit. If you're a Cat 3-5, you don't have to wear your team kit (Cat 1s and 2s do). Wear something generic so you won't get in trouble (you can't misrepresent which team you're on, so you can't wear Team B's kit if you belong to Team A).
cdr
11-20-07, 08:06 PM
#37
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I'm sure you can find one out there. Just look for the guy with one generation old equipment who rolls his eyes whenever someone rides by him saying, "...but they would only give me a jersey so I said eff that and went to the team that gave me shorts too."
Seriously though, you should be able to find a group of people, even if they're not yet a team. Then make a team. It can take effort at times and it's not always fun and games, but if you race with like minded folk you'll have a good time. Ultimately it costs $125 a year for a team (fee to USA Cycling) and you need to promote a race (or piggy back on one). You can order your kit from a small place for not too much money ($105/kit - ss jersey and bib shorts, min 10 pieces each - so 5 guys with 2 kits each). Better stuff costs more, it's all about what you want. The actual team stuff is free, sort of - just time and energy.
Sorry you're not out here,
cdr
Seriously though, you should be able to find a group of people, even if they're not yet a team. Then make a team. It can take effort at times and it's not always fun and games, but if you race with like minded folk you'll have a good time. Ultimately it costs $125 a year for a team (fee to USA Cycling) and you need to promote a race (or piggy back on one). You can order your kit from a small place for not too much money ($105/kit - ss jersey and bib shorts, min 10 pieces each - so 5 guys with 2 kits each). Better stuff costs more, it's all about what you want. The actual team stuff is free, sort of - just time and energy.
Sorry you're not out here,
cdr
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11-20-07, 08:31 PM
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11-20-07, 11:00 PM
#40
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I'll ride unattached for a while next season. I look forward to finding a team though probably late spring after getting out on different club rides and seeing how teams train/race/support each other. After my experience with our club/racers here in Japan, I want to be sure the folks I consider racing with/supporting are going to be at least close to my commitment level.
https://www.paxvelo.com/
11-21-07, 07:49 PM
#41
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btw If any of you unattached racers (Cat 3-5) want to put down Carpe Diem Racing (it's in the online drop down menu when you apply for a license), go ahead. Save some unattached fees on me. When you join a "real" team just update your profile so that team and its sponsors get proper credit. If you're a Cat 3-5, you don't have to wear your team kit (Cat 1s and 2s do). Wear something generic so you won't get in trouble (you can't misrepresent which team you're on, so you can't wear Team B's kit if you belong to Team A).
cdr
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11-21-07, 08:03 PM
#42
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I see Mark has already linked you to the thread above. I'll add that VanceMac is going to start out as a 5 and upgrade asap. Ovoleg said he's in, but who knows when he's serious and when he's not? I'm hoping to ride Cat 4 if my wife gives me the green light. Aside from that, I met someone on an SFVBC ride who just upraded to Cat 4 and races for them, and Jeff Dinkin and Jared Vest are co-captains of the local Cat 4 squad. I think that makes for a decent representation at local races.
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11-21-07, 08:15 PM
#43
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I see Mark has already linked you to the thread above. I'll add that VanceMac is going to start out as a 5 and upgrade asap. Ovoleg said he's in, but who knows when he's serious and when he's not? I'm hoping to ride Cat 4 if my wife gives me the green light. Aside from that, I met someone on an SFVBC ride who just upraded to Cat 4 and races for them, and Jeff Dinkin and Jared Vest are co-captains of the local Cat 4 squad. I think that makes for a decent representation at local races.
Now I don't know you at all so don't take this the wrong way but what the heck is with the wife not letting you race? Come on now, get some balls man!
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11-21-07, 08:17 PM
#44
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what discount do you get for riding in a team?
11-21-07, 08:39 PM
#45
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If you're good you can get lots of discounts and perks. I pretty much get nothing. 
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11-21-07, 08:50 PM
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Thanks for the reply, but let me rephrase-Do you get reduced price race entry?
11-21-07, 08:53 PM
#47
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It's a long story, and she completely expected me to just race regardless, but I respect her opinion and am trying to show her that I can be a loving husband and a racer at the same time. She has a few very valid points as to why I shouldn't, but I'm working on it.
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11-21-07, 08:56 PM
#48
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That is a good question. I haven't raced in a few years. Do they still charge an unattached rider fee? Not that it really matters, considering a team kit costs $150. That means you would have to enter in 30 races before the fee catches up to you (if the fee is $5 as I seem to recall).
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11-21-07, 09:06 PM
#49
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That is a good question. I haven't raced in a few years. Do they still charge an unattached rider fee? Not that it really matters, considering a team kit costs $150. That means you would have to enter in 30 races before the fee catches up to you (if the fee is $5 as I seem to recall).
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11-21-07, 09:15 PM
#50
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I get a slightly reduced entry fee when doing the DARE races. Yes, some race organizers will charge an unattached fee, $10, I think. But being the bottom of the barrel CAT4 I don't get much else. Maybe a free set of tires and some discounts on other cycling stuff. Some clubs will reimburse you the entry fee of races up to a certain amount if the funds are available. Higher CAT's I'm not sure exactly but I imagine they get MOST of everything free if they're winning races.
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