[DK1]

For any of you that are racing on teams, I'm curious how you went about getting on your team. Also, what do you think the biggest benefits are to being on a team?

I'm having pretty good success with my racing so far. My new job has given me a lot more time to train and I feel like I'm on the verge of a breakthrough with both my racing and fitness.

If nothing else, it seems like joining a team might help me to push myself to that next level.

Any thoughts?

 

[Duckman]

Typically, you get discounts on products, assuming the team leaders have done some homework and approached vendors like Kenda, Maxxis, Notubes, Power Bar, etc(pro deal to most). Or if its also thru a shop, they extend discounts, but don't expect much. Also either a free race "kit"(jersey/bibs) or two, or at least at a discount. Sometimes you get entry fees, but not often. At least thats my experience.
Approach a local shop that appears to be into racing. They usually are great in this respect, especially before the season starts. This is when they are looking to get they're name out there for an upcoming season and are lining up potential riders.

 

[used2Bhard]

Teams

We have some great prodeals and shop deals, so I have saved a ton of money building up my bikes.

Unfortunately that has been one of the only advantages.... I suggest shopping around a bit. Look for teams that actually act like one! Be selective on your end as well. There are a couple of teams around here that I wish I had waited to join... Look for a group that actually trains together, meets up occasionally, hangs out together on race trips, drinks beer together after the race, shares condo's, carpools, etc..etc.

Being a new racer, I really was wanting training suggestions, bike build suggestions, people to push me... In reality I show up at a race, see people with the same jersey (I don't even know their names) race and then go hang out with the other teams...

 

[DK1]

Hmmm...that sucks. I have a buddy that's racing on a road team and none of them know each other. Not much of a team in my opinion.

Thanks to both of you guys for the great advice.

 

[*rt*]

For any of you that are racing on teams, I'm curious how you went about getting on your team. Also, what do you think the biggest benefits are to being on a team?

I'm having pretty good success with my racing so far. My new job has given me a lot more time to train and I feel like I'm on the verge of a breakthrough with both my racing and fitness.

If nothing else, it seems like joining a team might help me to push myself to that next level.

Any thoughts?

sent out race resumes and cover letters by the dozen. 2 years ago i was really keen and made up a powerpoint slide show that i put on a CD and sent to potential teams/sponsors along with my race resume and cover letter. last year i was lazy and renewed with my title sponsor (Titus) and approached a local shop as well for additional support, but didn't do much else.

biggest advantage? mostly having a team kit to race in. that and some discounts on parts and service.

i'm on a team similar to used2Bhard - it is a lot of diverse people who don't necessarily know each other, however this is because Titus is a national team, so we have members across the 50 states. i know several of the local racers but we don't necessarily train or travel together. several years ago i was on a road team that had 3 structured training rides (for team members only) per week and we traveled together to races. The training structure was nice adn i think i got a lot out of it at the time.

if you are looking for motivation to train and a group to train with then you need to look for teams that will offer that. or find a good sponsor and some group rides that will give you the same thing.

rt

 

[DK1]

Can I ask what kind of deal you get on your Titus bikes? That's one rig that I would love to ride :thumbsup:

 

[MrXC]

City Bikes/DCMTB/Metro Gutter

Joining DCMTB/City Bikes/Metro Gutter was easy. It's open to anyone in the area, so I just expressed interested and agreed to meet the teams race and event quota.

We get some great deals through our arrangement with City Bikes who as also been a great asset in bringing in bike companies who have contributed product. With the addition of Metro Gutter as a second major sponsor we've been able to add a few more benefits to membership.

Unlike used2Bhard's team, we have a monthly meeting where we basically hang out, discuss team stuff and drink beer. We've also put together some great 12 and 24 hour rely teams and make a good group presence at priority races. We don't have formal team training rides, but I've found being on a team is a good way to find people to train with.

To be honest, I joined for the shop discount, but have really come to enjoy the more social aspects of being on the team. Even though my lights broke, the 12 Hours of Lodi Farms this year was probably the most enjoyable race I've done to date due to the inter-team competion that not only played out on the course, but in our joint pit area. :thumbsup:

 

[*rt*]

Can I ask what kind of deal you get on your Titus bikes? That's one rig that I would love to ride :thumbsup:

a really good deal.

rt

 

[The SS Boz]

Currently...mine is a new / somewhat bike shop team...RCC...we got really lucky...and most of our thanks goes to our team/club president who really got out there grabbing sponsors and had the cycling community connections to make it happen...

Hmm best part about a team or should i say my team is having a group of friends to travel with and that splits up the cost, sometimes free accomadations and entry fees but not all the time....

we got a couple team kits, pro deal stuff too and some wrenching and some discounts and stuff from other non-bike related team sponsors...I personally got a Michelin deal as well.........However, cant really say what ya get the bikes and such for cost wise ....in our case (and in most folks case really) we had to sign non-disclosure agreements...pretty much like we "work" for the company itself

-Boz

 

[douglas]

I am not on a team, but I mailed, emailed & used sponsorhouse.com to submit my race/bike resume to get some sponsorships

We have a couple local teams, that do a varying amount of training / riding / racing / socializing together


Team benefits > faster riders to train with & discounts on bike related stuff

 

[moab63]

My team experienced has been like this

first I was asked to join my son too. The first 2 years all the team member were in sync, we didn´t training together that often but when it came time to get to the races we were all together for the race and the bench racing afterwards.:thumbsup: Which was great. Now in the last year or so 2 people left and a few other have slowe down wayyyyyyyyy to much, which I hate.

I race to win, and train accordingly so this year the team has sucked is all my effort or nothing. I know that this sport is about individual achievement, but you and the team should be on the same page and by that I mean at least showing some kind of effort, I don´t expect for everyone to get on the box every time. But finishing dead last out of 30 on your 4 race of the season it just suck, that shows that you don´t care and that the whole team thing means squat to you.

So you need to find a team that has similar interest to yours, this include training, traveling season goals or what ever it is, Even what to bring to the races.

For next year I will be starting my own team along with two other drifters that are also disilusioned with their "team".:madman:

 

[ibanezrg520kid]

solo for u ^^^^

 

[Poncharelli]

For any of you that are racing on teams, I'm curious how you went about getting on your team. Also, what do you think the biggest benefits are to being on a team?

I'm having pretty good success with my racing so far. My new job has given me a lot more time to train and I feel like I'm on the verge of a breakthrough with both my racing and fitness.

If nothing else, it seems like joining a team might help me to push myself to that next level.

Any thoughts?

Another thing you can do is inquire with the top three teams on your local series points race. On our local series, they give prizes for the best team results at the end of the season. Those teams are usually interested in getting more riders, especially if they are good.

Second, is to get with a shop. With one local shop here in Utah, you just buy the shop Jersey (50 bucks), and they'll give you 50 percent payback. You also get discount on bikes and products, but have to commit to at least 6 races I believe or you get nada at the end of the season. Need to be a top racer in your catagory though.

Thirdly, is to join a sanctioned cycling club. A club is different in that you pay the club fee, get a jersey, and just race. Payback and bike discounts vary with the club. There is really no qualifications for getting on a club versus a team; pay the fee, you're in!! Clubs are pretty good because they seem to have more revenue than expenditures in that they host races which make money, have lots of non-racing members that pay fees, and seek a diverse background of sponsors; beyond just a bike shop (our club has a car dealership, mortgage company, the state transit authority, a construction company, and a bike shop!!!!). They also have pretty fun road group rides; this is where I bond with fellow racers and have all sorts of discussions, whether it be racing, training, political, etc. But most clubs seem to be more road oriented.

 

[jimmy]

are teams solely looking for results?

b/c I'm not fast enough to place in most races, but could benefit from training with a team.

 

[obaby]

results not that important

I've got a 45+ woman on my team who is pretty much the MVP. She doesn't win races very often, but she's got so much drive and personality and has gotten press coverage more times than I can remember. She is devoted to the sport, loves to ride, race, and talk about it. She is appreciative of every thing that she gets and is a spokesperson for the sport in general.

Contrast this with a super-fast "Pro" who doesn't show up at local events and thinks he is owed everything, even though he doesn't really give anything to the sport. I've talked to some industry sponsors who've bowed out of the elite thing because they said it was too much like baby sitting!

If you race because you love it, and you get out there and race as much as possible, bringing a positive attitude with you, sponsors will love you. Their business does not depend on giving things away: you must offer something in return, something that makes it worth giving you sponsorship, and results are just one piece of that puzzle.

Good luck with it, and keep racing and having fun!

O

 

[vzman]

Were r u from? I'm in so cal and we are always looking for new members. beginners, sport expert are all welcome. men and women. we need some chicks on the team .: i'm the only semi pro on the team but its cool to have team mates cheering for you and giving suport. there's not any cash to be handed out but we do get some good deals. if you are local and want to check us out we are the tri county eye lazer vision center cycling team. go to scratchyracing.com and check out are sponsors and if you are down email scratchy. you are welcome to come to one of our team meeting that we have once a month and see if it suits ya.

 

[Sadlebred]

I have a pretty good deal with my team, which is a Men's cat. 3 road team that I help run. I founded it two years ago along with my husband and a friend of ours. We have 17 people including 2 other mountain bikers who also race on the road. As an invitation only team, we use a 3 tiered system for our members. New members that are below Cat. 3 level are on the "club" team and get 1 free kit and all the discounts associated with the team from our sponsors (shameless plug)--Gu, Litespeed, Maxxis, the Bicycle Link, and Boneshaker Bicycles. The club race team members are returning members that are not Cat. 3 riders. They get a credit towards kits that they can use to buy anything (ie 2 kits, 1 kit and a vest, etc.). The race team is the Men's Cat. 3 team plus me as the Cat. 3 women's team . We get bikes, free kits, and the other discounts. The race team also gets XX number of races paid for, and if there is money left over at the end of the year, the club race team members may get a small reimbursement. www.southeasterncycling.com.

There are several open clubs in our area, and they focus on different areas. I'm a member of the women's only club, and I get some things out of it that I don't out of my small team. There are quite a number of ladies that race mtb in this club, which is one reason I like it. It's people to hang out with at the race. to cheer for, and have fun with. www.sorellacycling.com

 

[*rt*]

I've got a 45+ woman on my team who is pretty much the MVP. She doesn't win races very often, but she's got so much drive and personality and has gotten press coverage more times than I can remember. She is devoted to the sport, loves to ride, race, and talk about it. She is appreciative of every thing that she gets and is a spokesperson for the sport in general....

exactly!! sponsors are looking for exposure. by sponsoring you they get what amounts to free advertising for their product or service. so what they want from you in return is to be visible. my results over the past 3 years of being sponsored have run the gammut from dead last to top of the podium (though more often, it seems, the former than the latter!!). sure, sponsors would like to see their jersey/name standing on the podium but if you act as an ambassador for the sport that is even more valuable than standing on a podium. when you present yourself to sponsors you want to show them your enthusiasm for what you do, no matter what your results are - whether that be through organizing rides, or giving clinics, or just acting like a complete goof-ball so that everyone at races remembers you. later, when they're talking they'll say, 'yeah, you know that guy who races for ______, well, he did xyz. did you see that??' case in point: at my last race, i crashed off the starting line and endoed right onto my face (if your read my race rept you saw the pictures). i got up and finished the race. later i heard people talking about "that chick in the titus jersey who crashed off the start but finished the race". they couldn't pick me out of a lineup in regular street clothes (or maybe even in a different kit) but they remembered my sponsor's name.

rt

 

[jimmy]

I'm not in CA but CO

I may look to get hooked up for next season. I've really improved a lot this season and am much stronger due to more focused training than last (of course everybody else in Sport seems to be too). A team would prob help me get to a higher level. Plus there are few sport riders who are "unaffiliated" so I have an inferiority complex. So, on a "resume" one should emphasize some of the things mentioned above, which of course are quite applicable to me!

 

[DK1]

Thanks everyone. This is all great information. vzman, I'm from Boulder, Colorado but thanks for the offer. If any of you are from around here and are looking for new members, let me know.

I race sport mens 40-44 year olds MTB and Mens 35+ Cat 4 on the road. I'm hoping to improve enough this summer and winter to be competitive in the expert category next season.