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Home Questions

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the rules for joining the team and the rules for the sport according to USA Cycling?

Our rules are: 1. Do what you say you are going to do, 2. Show up on time, 3. Return your messages and 4. Just shave your damn legs and don't be a pill about it. The rules for the sport according to USA Cycling are available at USACycling.org or you can download a copy of the 2010 Rulebook

Since you race for money and prizes, can I race on the team and remain eligible for an NCAA sport?

Yes. We've had to do some research on this recently. Cycling is run by USA Cycling, which is part of the Olympic Committee and not NCAA. NCAA rules allow you to particpate in both activities without becoming ineligible for any NCAA sport and allow you to accept cash awards and prizes.

Do you charge team dues and what expenses does the team cover?

Beginning in September 2009 anuual dues for the racing season will be $200/person. Depending on the amount of donations and cash sponsorhips we receive for the year, what will be paid for and what is your responsibility will vary. You should always assume you will have to buy your skinsuits/jerseys/bibs, but the team buys accesories in bulk from sponsors and usually gives those to people who are racing. Transportation is paid if you are a student, but not as a non-student. Lodging is not paid for at all out of team funds. Entry fees are paid if you are a student and not paid if you are a non-student.

What are the requirements if I decide to race.

We hava a two-tiered system. Tier 1: If you just want to try it out, we will help you with the logistics and getting you to the race to try things. You are not responsible for any number of races and can stop at any time. Tier 2: Racing Team. You sign a contract to race a minimum of 7 races, pay your dues, train a minimum number of hours a week, submit training logs, take all required biometric tests, attend all: meetings, photo shoots and other required events. You also recieve the right to buy items through the sponsorship programs at deep discount through our various sponsors.

Failure to comply results in loss of dues, return of all team supplied items, removal from roster and loss of sponsorship priviledges.

If I get the uniforms, train and go to all the meeting, will you let me race even if I'm not racing well?

This is a club, not a professional team. We allow all to race who want to participate. If you don't race, you have only yourself to blame. Out of all the people we recruit, 90% never do anything. Out of the remaining 10%, half of them will race.

Where do you train?

We train in Rockbridge and surrounding counties mostly. Occasionally we go to Washington, D.C., and Highland County for a change of scenery. When the weather is really dismal, we use trainers at home and stationary bikes in the University health center.

I want to race on the team, but I don't want to wear the uniforms or shave my legs. I know you guys are looking for more people to race, so how about cutting some slack?

If you have problems with the uniform and your pelicular hygiene, we suspect that the 100 to 200 miles-a-week of training is really going to put you off.

What does "sag" mean in cycling?

Support stations for riders in need of mechanical or medical assistance are called "SAG stations". A vehicle which follows the riders providing water, food, and mechanical support is called a "SAG wagon". No one is really sure what it stands for, but best guess is "Support And Gear".

How do I clean my uniform? Can I put it in the washer and the dryer?

Keeping your uniform clean is important, and how you clean it is equally important. Ideally, you should use a sports garment-specific detergent, such as Sport Wash, which is available at Kroger and other stores, but woolite or any gentle detergent will work. Wash the uniform as soon as possible to prevent any stains from setting. You should hand-wash, in cold water, and hang-dry your garments. We've found the gentle cycle with cold water in the washer works OK too. First, close any zippers, this will help prevent any damage from the zipper. Second, turn inside out to protect the printed surface and prevent fading, if dried in the sun. Third, don't wash gloves with your uniform. The velcro will stick to the uniform and damage the fabric. Whatever you do, DON'T USE THE DRYER. The heat can destroy the lycra and shrink a perfect fitting uniform. Remember, these have to last you the entire season, so be gentle.

I'm racing this year and have three questions: Do I have to shave my legs? Why do cyclists shave their legs? How do I go about it?

The question everybody wants to know the answer to, but is afraid to ask -- well, almost everyone. First, there is no rule that you have to shave your legs. It's just the way it is. Pros and amateurs do it. It is a convention of the sport. 95 percent of the racers do it and those that don't get some teasing. In Category 5, you will see a couple of "newbies" with hair, but in the higher categories it begins to look a lot more pro. You can check out To Shave or Not to Shave (legs) at bike forums.net for a more thorough discussion

If you decide to shave, there are a few methods, all of which have plusses and minuses:

How much does it cost to get into racing?

It depends. If you have a bike you can race with, that will save you considerable expense. If you need a race bike, the cost begins around $1000.00. Lets break it all down, assuming you have a bike and purchase items at a discount through sponsors:

That totals $670.00. The good news is that you don't have to come up with all of that at once. Also, we are soliciting donations to offset some of these expenses. We don't begin racing until February or March, so you should have enough time to plan a strategy.

If I am on the race team, do I have to show up for all the races?

Not unless you want to. After a bit of training, you'll know your strengths. You'll want to concentrate on those races which offer the terrain best suited to your abilities. There are five types of riders:

I'm not on the team, can I buy gear through your sponsors?

Sorry, only team/club members are eligible for deals through our sponsors. Our uniforms, though, are not sponsored and may be purchased when we place an order.

What's with the zebra-print uniforms?

Two reasons. One: We became known for that on the racing circuit. After we went to a few races, you could overhear people say "Hey there's the zebra-guy" or "There's the Cipollini guy" (referring to Mario Cipollini from the Domina Vacanze team -- known for outlandish clothes). Two: The uniforms from other teams tend to look too similar and being able to tell your team-mates apart from the rest of the peloton is essential in a race.

Why do you need donations and corporate sponsors?

The University Cycling Club is part of Campus Recreation and not part of the University's sports program. We receive some funding through the school, but this does not cover all of the costs. Cycling in the US is commonly referred to as a "Gentleman's sport" (no offense to the ladies), meaning you supply your own equipment, pay your own racing fees and travel expenses. In order to make the club more accessible to students, we develop sponsorships with businesses and raise donations to reduce the costs and offset some of that expense.

What is a "domestique"?

In French it literally means "servant", but in road bike racing it is a team-member who works for the benefit of the team leader. Another term used to describe this position is "water-carrier". Less glamorous than a "star" rider but necessary to the functioning of the team. Domestiques carry water and food to other riders, shield them from wind (drafting) and sacrifice a wheel or entire bike to the leader if he needs it.