New junior racer needs help

New Junior,

I am not sure about the fees... I am not sure, there have been some clubs and organizations that have not been charging fees for Juniors, including the Reno Wheelman and Alta Alpina Cycling Club. There it is... the challenge is out to the promoters and other clubs.

If you crash, you crash. Usually you are responsible for your own equipment, no matter how idiotic the people around you are. Although screaming at the person at fault will make you feel better, it won't do much for the situation or the idiot, other than make him/her pay more attention next time.

No Follow Vehicle? Bring your pump and tubes/patch kit... this is the wild wild west. You might consider always carrying it unless the race is really hilly.

Jersey... Just wear what you want, rules are rules, but to have to buy another jersey to distinguish you from the other two riders in the group is a bit ridiculous. Better yet, join a club, get coaching and wear their jersey. Usually they will help you out with fees etc. If not, try joining a club with a Junior team like the clubs mentioned above.

Good luck, God Speed and keep riding.

Quoted post said:

Originally posted by bigfloppyllama
I just purchased a USCF Junior Racer License for a few upcoming races I want to participate in (the list is here: LINK). Anyways, I’m assuming I bought the correct license for these criterium/road races.

Looking at the table of information for the Pine Flat Road Race on Feb 14, I’m somewhat confused.
http://www.velopromo.com/pine-ent.htm


Events:......miles...kms....laps....places....value.....fee........start....limit
Junior 4/5...62......100....1.........3............$25.......$0........8:10....50


Looking at last year’s results, I see that there were only 2 juniors participating (both in the 4/5 category, with none in the 1/2/3 categories). So I’ll assume there will be just a few of us starting off at the time give, with another group of riders (Masters 35+ 4/5) starting up 5 minutes after. As for the actual table, I understand most of it, but the value and fee categories have me confused. Value is the prize and fee is the entry fee I assume. So then in their how to enter directions they say send USCF entry form and release along with the money (none in this case?). I’ll take it I just send the entry form then.

And then I have a few questions in general about racing. In the event of a crash, everyone is responsible for the damage sustained to their equipment regardless of who was at fault? And unless neutral vehicle support is provided, we repair our own flats? Oh, and I think I read something on the USCF site about jerseys being plain unless it is with the team you are currently registered with, so the jerseys my brother gave me from local teams in Germany won’t fly and I’ll have to wear a moderately plain one (performance brand). I think that’s about all I have to ask right now, sorry for the surely dumb questions I asked, and thanks for any help.

In Australia the only way you can get a ACF licence is by registering with an affiliated club. I thought that was the same the world over but there you go!
If you don't pay an entry fee you're unlikely to get a spares vehicle (especialy if you don't have your own spares to put in the spares vehicle!). Here you pay about $30 entry for a 110km handicap race with only saggin wagons (no service vehicles) so if you get a flat, you can repair yourself or retire to the broom bus.

You do not need to be club affiliated to race in the USCF, there are plenty of independents.

You can wear whatever jersey you like as long as it doesn't belong to an actual local team that you are not on. But if you roll up wearing a pro team jersey, or some race category jersey (like a yellow jersey), be prepared to take a LOT of abuse from other racers ............

In most US races, you are not allowed to carry any type of flat repair or maintenance equipment on your person. If there is any kind of support vehicle, you can give them some stuff usually.

62 miles seems like a really long race for a 4/5 junior race. Even the district road race back in the day for the 4/5 was less than 60 miles ........... As a 3 we did a few 100 mile races, but nothing longer than 45 or so as a 5 .........