FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions)
Silly Questions (AWTAQ) Always Wanted to Ask Questions
Why Join a Team?
In practice, bicycle racing is a team sport. And even if your discipline
of choice is more individual, the tactics, training and knowledge, racing
benefits all cyclists. Mountain biking, time trailing, triathlon, duathlon,
and track racing all have similar elements and requirements. However, the
best reason to join at team:
Improvement, Networking, Shop Support,
Event Support, Training Opportunity, Equipment Support, and More Fun!
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What is a USCF License?
USCF (United States Cycling Federation) part of USA Cycling is the
governing body that oversees and sanctions bicycle racing in the area.
You must purchase a license to participate in a USCF Sanctioned Event.
It provides insurance for you and the event organizers. Annual (
Seniors, Juniors) and One-Day Licenses () are available. All
DICE Cycling members must be annual members.
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Who will I race against in USCF Events?
Racers are divided up into 3 groups, Juniors (10-18), Seniors (19-29),
and Masters (typically +40)
Seniors and Masters are placed in categories 1 through 5. A new racer
begins in Category 5 (also called Citizens) and tries to move up through
the ranks to Category 1. Seniors competition is by category Juniors and
Master competitions are often broken down by age groups such as 10-14,
15-18 from Juniors, and 40+ and 50+ for Masters. Some events offer separate
Women’s divisions as well. Racers can compete in any event for which
they are qualified by group or category. For example a 42-year-old Category
3 racer can race in the Masters 40+ event and also enter the Seniors Category
3 event. Similarly a Category 4 Junior can enter the Juniors event and the
Category 4 event.
Be sure to check event entry forms to confirm what specific events are offered
at various races.
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What’s the difference between a Road Race, Criterium, and a Time Trial?
Road Races are typically longer mass start events held on open road,
sometimes they are held on a ‘circuit’ or circular course, several
miles in length, and completed as multiple laps to finish a specific distance
often between 35 to 60 miles.
Criteriums are mass start timed races held on a smaller loop course generally
on a closed course within the city. The events last for a set number of
minutes (generally 30-60 minutes per category) and when time has elapse the
racers complete a few counted laps to the finish. Criteriums are fast and
dangerous as they involve many racers racing close together through tight
turns at very fast speeds.
Time Trials are events where each individual racer is completing a prescribed
course and is timed against the clock. Racers start at timed intervals rather
than in a pack and their times are ranked after all contestants have
completed the course. Events are generally 20 Km (12.25 miles) or longer.
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When is the bicycle racing season?
Actually the season is year round if you race Road, Mountain, and Cyclocross.
Road Racing season is generally from March through August with the clubs
prime event being the Memorial Day Races and the
Quad Cities
Criterium.
Mountain Bikers race all
year round “literally”.
Cyclocross season runs from September through December with a few hearty
souls racing in January and February. Consult the DICE events calendar.
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How do I join DICE Cycling?
DICE Cycling encourages recruitment throughout the year. For information
contact Bruce Grell
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What kind of bike racing does DICE do?
Dice members race in a variety of cycling events. We primarily ride and
race the ROAD cycling disciplines (Road Race, Criterium, Time Trial), many
members also participate in
Mountain Biking, and a
growing number of members race
Cyclocross. The club also hopes to cultivate members who wish to
give
Track events a try.
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Does DICE have weekly training sessions?
Dice has weekly rides throughout the year. Generally Tuesday, Thursday,
and Sunday are group rides depending on the weather. During the winter
months the club has group “trainer” spinning sessions on Sundays.
We also periodically set up special training, skill, and knowledge events
specific to the needs of competitive cyclists. Check the “Events”
section of our site for specific training events, times, and locations.
(Note: Sorry, but some training events maybe restricted to DICE members
only due to insurance considerations.)
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I’m new to bike racing, can DICE help me get started?
DICE has a Developmental Program for new and experienced racers. We have
USA Cycling Certified “Expert Level” Coaches to assist you in
determining your racing goals and guide you by developing an individual
training program to meet and exceed those goals. Coaching services are
limited to DICE Cycling members only. Contact
Donnie Miller for more
information.
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How old do you have to be to race bikes?
Any age can be appropriate for racing. DICE competes in races for men
and women from age 10 through 60 plus. Racing is a matter of desire more
than age. DICE follows the guidelines of
USA Cycling and encourage
racers to begin as early as possible. DICE has a Juniors Development Program
targeted for boys and girls 10-18 years old. This is a structured program
with “youth specific” coaching and mentoring by USA Cycling Certified
Coaches. Contact
Donnie Miller or
Michael Zugmaier
for more information.
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Do I have to wear those tight fitting outfits to race and train?
Absolutely. Those strange outfits are very important. They provide you with
the mental framework needed to race bicycles, “I’ve got to go
faster so nobody recognizes me.” They also cut wind resistance and
drag so you can ride faster with less effort. They provide protection by
wicking perspiration to help cool your body on warm days and help you slide
when you fall off your bike. But most important they advertise for our
sponsors. Those are they guys that pony up the bucks so we can look cool,
go fast, and really cause our friends to question our sanity.
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Why do cyclists shave their legs?
Unlike most women who shave their legs for cosmetic reasons cyclists shave
for a more noble reason, and it’s not because of gender confusion or
questionable sexual orientation. If, and when, you fall of your bike at
+20 mph you’re most likely are going to slide on the pavement picking
up all manner of nasty things into the meat of your legs where your skin
had previously been. If your legs are cleanly shaven the severity of your
wounds will be lessened, but most importantly you will not have leg hair
holding in gravel, dirt, bugs, etc in the blood and histamine soaked hair
than covers your legs. After your crash, you will have to clean those
wounds it’ll be much more pleasant (did I really say pleasant when
talking about road rash?) to simply spray water over the leg to flush the
wounds and not have to scrape the wounds out, pulling all that nasty bloody
hair out of the already pitiful mass of meat that was your leg…..
Doesn’t cycling sound fun?
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