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Competing on the U of M Cycling Team is split up into two parts. Road, Mountain and Track are all team events in which many people compete. CycloCross, Dual Slalom/Downhill and Urban/Trials are done with just a few people and heard about through the listserve. All of these rides/races are laid back and we encourage all to come out to all rides they can participate in. Road: Road Racing is a very involved team sport that uses much endurance, strategy and teamwork. Road Racing requires skills in drafting (using other opponents to block wind making your journey 30% easier), steady bike handling and being able to throw your bike (email Andrew). Our Road Race season is our main focus because we have the most competitors and races. Races can be from 10 miles to 100 miles and in small circles or point to points (criteriums vs road races). We even might do a time trial, which is an individual (or team) race against time. We compete in the NCCA (National Collegiate Cycling Association) and we are in the NCCCC conference, which is comprised of colleges from Nebraska, Kansas, Iowa and North Dakota. We race in the spring on 4 weekends with 2 race; a criterium and a road race. Normally, we all hop in a university van and travel to each race and stay in a hotel or at someone’s house. If we are fortunate our team pays some of our race fees and travel fees. All team members need a USCF license or money to buy a one day. We won our conference this year and were able to send a person to Nationals. We have tons of fun just hangin’ out, cheering on our other racers, eating, not to mention racing!! Mountain: Mountain Biking is more of an individualized sport that is based on endurance and bike handling skills. It is normally on a course in the woods and up hills (except in Minnesota…just kidding!). Mountain Bike Races can be short track (a short highly repeated loop) or cross-country (long loops that hurt more). Races can range in distance from 6 miles to 25 miles. These are group started and individually finished races so they are almost similar to time trials. If you are willing to get dirty, muddy and have tons of fun, mountain biking is for you. Our mountain season starts in early September when classes begin. This is in the same conference with the same teams as Road Racing. Mountain Biking is similar to Road Racing in its scoring. Every position is assigned a number and the totals reflect how well the team did. As in the road season, we also won our conference and sent 2 people to nationals. Way to go!! Track Season: Track starts in the summer after our collegiate road season is over. Our conference doesn’t not organize track competition but a few of our members participate in summer training and races at the National Sports Center velodrome in Blane, MN. Both this year and last year we were able to send people to Nationals. If you are interested in Track Racing with the U, contact Ben Richter. He is interested in helping you out to figure what you need to be on the track. No experience or track bike necessary. You can see him at Track Nationals on our front page….
In November, we begin our indoor training in the St. Paul Gym Lower Fitness Room (across from the climbing wall). We have practices four times a week for one to three hours and lead by our coaches. In these sessions we do intervals, max VO2 workouts and lactate threshold training. It helps to have a heart rate monitor and a trainer or rollers for this stuff. Also in November we start weight training. Weight training is normally up to the individual but, of course, we will probably set up some sessions. During spring break we will be going to Fayettville, AK. The riding there is great and so is the weather (hopefully). We will also be having outdoor rides for the cold blooded during the winter, so check the listserve for those and dress warm. We go on rides from campus just about every day of the week at all levels and speeds. These rides are moderately paced and have duration of 1 hour to 3 hours. To ride on these rides we ask that you have a helmet, a waiver (provided by ride leader) and any kind of bike. If you are new, it is also suggested that you bring an ID, money, cell phone (turn it off), food (power bar), pump, tube and water bottle. These will ensure that if you bonk, get a flat or there is some kind of emergency that you will be prepared. If you are a beginner, choose an easier ride. We are trying to instill a no drop policy but it would be appreciated if you choose a ride for your style and speed. The Wednesday and Saturday rides are the most accommodating for a slower pace. Anyone should be able to ride on the easier rides. These rides will teach you to ride in a group and are sometimes an opportunity to socialize. Being on the team and participating on the team are two different things. We don’t require you to participate if you are on the team but it is encouraged for your own character that you do as much as you can. You will get much more out of the team if you go hang out with us for a couple hours and clean up a pavilion. Also, you will get more out of your money at our local bike shop when it comes to discounts if you participate in volunteer events. We have many opportunities to help out such as flyering for varsity, doing a pavilion cleanup or helping at the Xcel center. It’s fun and hey maybe you will meet someone new or learn something about bikes.
Q: What do I have to do to be on the team? Fill out a participation wavier at 1901 University Ave. SEs and pay $80 dollars and put it all in the cycling mailbox. The waivers are also available at group rides and team meetings. The dues pay for coaching, some race fees, van rental fees for team events, and other general team activities. Q: Do I need a bike to be on the team? Yes, you need a bike but once you get on the team and situated our bike shop (oneononebike.com) can probably hook you up with a deal on one. Sponsorship Information Q: Can I store my bike in my dorm room? Email one of the officers with the specifics but one of the team members has had up to 4 bikes in his dorm room, but 1 or 2 is very reasonable. No tryouts; it is a club sport and we accept everybody. We are a co-ed team and a equal opportunity employer (the man told us to say that). Q: Are there required practices? No required practices, you can train on your own if you wish, but you will get more out of group rides. It is recommended that members attend at least one group ride each week. Q: Can you be in the club and not race? Cycling is a time flexible sport and you can train and race when your schedule permits. Though, we encourage all of our members to race as much as they can. Also, we can accommodate recreational riding activities. Q: Do you have to be a student to be in the club? To race with the team you need to be enrolled in classes at the University. If you are faculty or staff you are welcome to all group rides but you can’t be scored in a race. Q: What do I need if I want to race? If you have a bike and a helmet, you can race. And if you ask the right person, with the right extra bike, you can race, too. We also recommend that you get a team jersey. We order jerseys in December of every year. |