That time of the year - Transferring Teams - Local egos collide?
08-26-10, 04:31 PM
#26
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I wasn't really asking for advice, I'm joining the team with the guys i like riding for on it. They are the reason I wanted to be on the team, they will be the reason I decide to ride with them.
I'm also not talking myself up by saying I'm a cat 4. I just mean that in WNY we don't upgrade well with the way racing is run up here. So, in that sense, few people upgrade to Cat 4 each year and not many teams are based off strong Cat 5 squads :-p So when someone upgrades to a 4 all the local teams notice to fill gaps.
I just like stories.
I'm also not talking myself up by saying I'm a cat 4. I just mean that in WNY we don't upgrade well with the way racing is run up here. So, in that sense, few people upgrade to Cat 4 each year and not many teams are based off strong Cat 5 squads :-p So when someone upgrades to a 4 all the local teams notice to fill gaps.
I just like stories.
08-26-10, 04:36 PM
#27
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I'm looking to organize a team of middle-aged dads who work 50+ hours a week and have to train when/if they can. All Cat3s like me.
Call us, "Pack Fadders"
You know? Fadders like fathers but with D's. Instead of fodder .... oh, nevermind. It's time for me to go home anyway.
Call us, "Pack Fadders"
You know? Fadders like fathers but with D's. Instead of fodder .... oh, nevermind. It's time for me to go home anyway.
08-26-10, 05:00 PM
#29
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I seem to remember saying something like this a week or so ago. 
Truth is, teams are jokes. What do you get from a team? Discounts and a cool kit.
Until you're good enough to get a team-issued bike or hoping to get invited to an invite-only race, that's when teams matter. These guys running a Cat 4/5 team try acting all important like ProTeam managers, trying to "sign" someone onto the "team" when in all actuality, you're just signing a stupid piece of paper and racing with some other guys wearing the same clothes.
I've been in the same pickle. I've been racing solo for the past few years in a team jersey, now that I actually have goals I'm joining a real team; bikes, invites, the whole deal.
Truth is, teams are jokes. What do you get from a team? Discounts and a cool kit.
Until you're good enough to get a team-issued bike or hoping to get invited to an invite-only race, that's when teams matter. These guys running a Cat 4/5 team try acting all important like ProTeam managers, trying to "sign" someone onto the "team" when in all actuality, you're just signing a stupid piece of paper and racing with some other guys wearing the same clothes.
I've been in the same pickle. I've been racing solo for the past few years in a team jersey, now that I actually have goals I'm joining a real team; bikes, invites, the whole deal.
mostly true but here in CO, there are a handful of teams that are very well run and very organized even in the 4s. what they have in common is a serious commitment to mentorship and development within the team. but it pays off, theres one team in particular that makes a night and day difference when theyre present in a crit, everything is smoother and faster and safer.
08-26-10, 05:36 PM
#31
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Hopefully you'll fall into a good situation at some point. A team (vs. a drama club) brings up everyone's fun and success quotient, whether it's a geezer squad or a 1/2 outfit. I've gotten invitations for two full P1 rides and passed BTW, part of that is figuring some kid (like you) ought to take that slot, and a bigger part of it is I really like the guys I race with now.
I don't have kids. Or a job.
08-26-10, 05:43 PM
#33
grilled cheesus
Team politics suck.
Keep in mind it's all just about riding bicycles.
Go where you want to go. Don't hold animosity and make it a point to engage in conversation with both teams at events. Ride with the other team as though they are teammates still.
It's taken the better part of a year for me to dig out of the situation I was in last fall. It's always something. Even when you think things are fine on a team you get this feeling that so and so is not happy and will leave, etc. In the end ....who cares. It's a bike team. Keep the relationships if possible.
If not then at least use accelerant and a blow torch when burning bridges. Never do a job half-assed.
Keep in mind it's all just about riding bicycles.
Go where you want to go. Don't hold animosity and make it a point to engage in conversation with both teams at events. Ride with the other team as though they are teammates still.
It's taken the better part of a year for me to dig out of the situation I was in last fall. It's always something. Even when you think things are fine on a team you get this feeling that so and so is not happy and will leave, etc. In the end ....who cares. It's a bike team. Keep the relationships if possible.
If not then at least use accelerant and a blow torch when burning bridges. Never do a job half-assed.
oh wait, i bet you meant TQ or someone on the team who is really good or something.
later.
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08-26-10, 06:03 PM
#34
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I'm looking to organize a team of middle-aged dads who work 50+ hours a week and have to train when/if they can. All Cat3s like me.
Call us, "Pack Fadders"
You know? Fadders like fathers but with D's. Instead of fodder .... oh, nevermind. It's time for me to go home anyway.
Call us, "Pack Fadders"
You know? Fadders like fathers but with D's. Instead of fodder .... oh, nevermind. It's time for me to go home anyway.
08-26-10, 06:11 PM
#35
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don't want to derail the thread, but I wanted a point of clarification: is it possible to count training races towards a 5 to 4 upgrade? i thought it was
08-26-10, 06:14 PM
#36
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I race for a team as a Cat4 for the cool kit and all the girls
08-26-10, 06:55 PM
#37
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Fixed that for you. Write stuff like that in first person.
Hopefully you'll fall into a good situation at some point. A team (vs. a drama club) brings up everyone's fun and success quotient, whether it's a geezer squad or a 1/2 outfit. I've gotten invitations for two full P1 rides and passed BTW, part of that is figuring some kid (like you) ought to take that slot, and a bigger part of it is I really like the guys I race with now.
Hopefully you'll fall into a good situation at some point. A team (vs. a drama club) brings up everyone's fun and success quotient, whether it's a geezer squad or a 1/2 outfit. I've gotten invitations for two full P1 rides and passed BTW, part of that is figuring some kid (like you) ought to take that slot, and a bigger part of it is I really like the guys I race with now.
08-26-10, 07:13 PM
#38
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There will always be people not happy with the situation they're in, eager to start their own thing or move to another team where the grass is greener. Chances are, you'll find yourself getting asked to join or go with some of these people. Happens every season.
08-26-10, 10:42 PM
#39
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It's never really the guys you think it is. Besides if you ever left I'd just be stuck staring at CyLowe's ass for hours on end. I'm Ok with that.
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08-26-10, 11:11 PM
#40
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08-27-10, 01:33 AM
#41
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08-27-10, 05:13 AM
#42
una carrera contrarreloj
08-27-10, 05:29 AM
#43
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What about a mechanics-style jersey, name tag and all? Sort of reflects the hard work we put into our lives.
08-27-10, 07:55 AM
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Top teams around my area get (some get all some dont) cost on bikes (from OEM not shop and some get free bikes), bike shop deals, 30-60 bucks per day for racing travel, few hundered bucks worth of kits every year, free training from USAC coach, etc.
While those things are nice im with you... If you dont lilke the people on the team move on.
08-27-10, 08:17 AM
#45
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When you get on a team that both races well together and has a good social vibe the whole concept really makes sense. But I was on 3 teams and had also raced unattached prior to finding my current home, so I get what you're saying.
08-27-10, 09:07 AM
#46
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If it weren't for my team I wouldn't be racing this weekend....when wife works the team usually steps up and watches my son while I race.
......who gives a crap about breaks......
I guess I just have different priorities.
......who gives a crap about breaks......
I guess I just have different priorities.
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08-27-10, 09:11 AM
#47
Blast from the Past
The best team I ever rode for very rarely trained together, rarely had any social events, chatted a little bit before races, never had a "plan". But we always had someone in any break that stayed away. And when the bell rang you would look around and always find mates in solid position. If you were in a lead out position look behind and there were 2 behind you, if you were back a bit there was someone pushing the pace. Perfect compliment for each others sense of good position late in a race. It was almost surreal at times. We consistently placed 3 or 4 riders top 10 in any Masters field in the mid-west.
edit: Above for Crits only, we sucked wind in RR's
edit: Above for Crits only, we sucked wind in RR's
08-27-10, 10:49 AM
#48
grilled cheesus
i am 37 and likely not going to significant power house in the local or national racing scene any time soon. i need some enjoyment out of racing and part of that comes from being on a racing team with people i know and like.
also, i can be swayed by a free water bottle so who am i crapping. later.
also, i can be swayed by a free water bottle so who am i crapping. later.
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08-27-10, 11:52 AM
#49
Blast from the Past
i am 37 and likely not going to significant power house in the local or national racing scene any time soon. i need some enjoyment out of racing and part of that comes from being on a racing team with people i know and like.
also, i can be swayed by a free water bottle so who am i crapping. later.
also, i can be swayed by a free water bottle so who am i crapping. later.
08-27-10, 12:25 PM
#50
Ninja don't wear flipflop
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A good team is critical. I can't imagine carrying my own wheels to the wheel truck.