Ok, i figured that I would start this thread to help some people out. It wasn't all that long ago that I had no idea where to look and how to get involved in competitive cycling.
There are 2 types of racing; the first type is simply "citizen" races. These races are pretty much races in around your state that are held where you DO NOT need a USCF license to compete. These races are still competitive and fast paced so don't be fooled.....the 2nd type of racing is highly competitive, but you MUST have a USCF racing license to compete. So in other words, if you have plans to be a pro then USCF races are for you.....
Here's how to start, first you must obtain a USCF license, you can obtain one by going to the official website: https://www.usacycling.org/
Here you will find a ton of info on all kinds of stuff!
But before to buy a license its best to find out if you will even be able to get use out of it. Different clubs in your area will hold USCF events, to find a club in your area go here: http://www.usacycling.org/clubs/ ; click on your state a browse through the list of clubs, try to find one that is close to you and compatible with your schedule and what not.
Ok, so now that you have some what of a idea of what is involved you can head out and start looking for some races. Go here: http://www.cyclingcalendar.com/ ; go there and fill out the area on the top, it will show you a list of upcoming events in your area.
Here is my advice though, before you go out and buy a USCF license be make sure that competitive cycling is something that you want to do. Go to a couple of those "citizen" races I was talknig about before and compete. See where you stand, if you hate it then i wouldn't recommend competitive cycling. But if you LOVE it like i do then get on out and be a pro!
I will also add this part just because I know some people are curious. There are different types of races you can do, I am really only knowledgeable in ROAD so thats all i am going to cover, here are the different types of races you can do as a road cyclist.
Road Race: A good example of a road race is the Tour de France. Its a race on a road from one point to another.
Criterium: These types of races are fun for spectators because its all localized. You race around a course and do laps, most of these criterium tracks are .5 mile long.
Time Trial: Time trials, o yea, the most difficult to compete in. In a time trial you start the race by yourself and finish the race by yourself. It is you against the clock.
Track: Im not to familiar with this type of racing besides what i have seen in the olympics. But this race is held indoors on a track. I beleive the track is called a "velodome" (might be wrong). There is different types of racing that goes on, from groups of 5 to a 3 man team to one on one.
There are 2 types of racing; the first type is simply "citizen" races. These races are pretty much races in around your state that are held where you DO NOT need a USCF license to compete. These races are still competitive and fast paced so don't be fooled.....the 2nd type of racing is highly competitive, but you MUST have a USCF racing license to compete. So in other words, if you have plans to be a pro then USCF races are for you.....
Here's how to start, first you must obtain a USCF license, you can obtain one by going to the official website: https://www.usacycling.org/
Here you will find a ton of info on all kinds of stuff!
But before to buy a license its best to find out if you will even be able to get use out of it. Different clubs in your area will hold USCF events, to find a club in your area go here: http://www.usacycling.org/clubs/ ; click on your state a browse through the list of clubs, try to find one that is close to you and compatible with your schedule and what not.
Ok, so now that you have some what of a idea of what is involved you can head out and start looking for some races. Go here: http://www.cyclingcalendar.com/ ; go there and fill out the area on the top, it will show you a list of upcoming events in your area.
Here is my advice though, before you go out and buy a USCF license be make sure that competitive cycling is something that you want to do. Go to a couple of those "citizen" races I was talknig about before and compete. See where you stand, if you hate it then i wouldn't recommend competitive cycling. But if you LOVE it like i do then get on out and be a pro!
I will also add this part just because I know some people are curious. There are different types of races you can do, I am really only knowledgeable in ROAD so thats all i am going to cover, here are the different types of races you can do as a road cyclist.
Road Race: A good example of a road race is the Tour de France. Its a race on a road from one point to another.
Criterium: These types of races are fun for spectators because its all localized. You race around a course and do laps, most of these criterium tracks are .5 mile long.
Time Trial: Time trials, o yea, the most difficult to compete in. In a time trial you start the race by yourself and finish the race by yourself. It is you against the clock.
Track: Im not to familiar with this type of racing besides what i have seen in the olympics. But this race is held indoors on a track. I beleive the track is called a "velodome" (might be wrong). There is different types of racing that goes on, from groups of 5 to a 3 man team to one on one.