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The United States Cycling Federation is the primary
national governing body for bicycle road racing in the United States.
The USCF, the
National
Off-Road Bicycle Association (NORBA), the
National Collegiate Cycling
Association (NCCA) and
Pro Cycling,
together comprise USA Cycling.
Presently, the NCCA is a program under the USCF. The USCF is a member of the
U.S. Olympic Committee (USOC), and is an affiliated member of the
International Cycling Union
(UCI), which governs most international cycling competitions. Most bicycle
road racing clubs and cyclists in the U.S. belong the the USCF, which holds
annual National Championships competitions, maintains
rules for
competitions, certifies officials and coaches, conducts training workshops,
etc. Most competitive road cyclists hold
USCF
Racing Licenses, which indicate to which class and category they belong. Bicycle races
are usually divided up according to these age-based classes and
experience-based categories, and riders strive to achieve results and gain
experience in order to justify upgrading to more
competitive categories.
You can access the
USCF
rulebook, Standard
Entry Blank and Release Form,
License
Application Form, Online
License Applications and Renewals and
a number of other USCF-related items directly from the USA
Cycling Website.
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The USCF can be contacted directly at:
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United States Cycling Federation
One Olympic
Plaza
Colorado Springs, CO 80909
Phone: (719) 578-4581
Fax: (719)
578-4596
membership@usacycling.org |
 The Louisiana/Mississippi
Bicycle Racing Association (LAMBRA) is the official point of contact for
race permitting, officiating, event coordination, rider licensing, rider
upgrades, etc. In order to compete in USCF-sanctioned events (all major races
and the District Championships), you must join the United States Cycling
Federation. Membership in the USCF insures that the rider will receive most
regional race announcements, as well as Cycling USA, the USCF newspaper. The
USCF conducts rider training camps, and clinics throughout the year. NOBC
members are strongly urged to join the USCF. For information and an
application, contact the Louisiana/Mississippi
Bicycle Racing Association (LAMBRA).
Membership
Basic USCF membership costs $50 (2004) and includes a racing
license, subscription to the monthly magazine "USA Cycling," supplemental
accident and catastropic insurance, a copy of the rule book,
and other benefits. Applications are available from the District
Representative,
directly
from the USCF, and from many bicycle stores. The best method is to
join or
renew online. USCF members can also have concurrent
memberships in NORBA and NCCA using the same application form.
USCF Classes and Categories
USCF riders are divided up into a number of classes for both men
and women according to age. Riders under 18 are classified as Juniors (although
they can opt to race as seniors). Riders over 18 are classified as Seniors.
Riders over the are of 30 are considered to be Masters (although they too can
always race as Seniors). Within a given event, races may be held for a number
of age divisions, at the discretion of the race organizers. Most often, there
will be a race for Juniors, a number of races for Seniors (according to
category), a race for Masters 35 and over, and a race for Women. Larger events
will have races for more classes. Smaller events may combine classes into
single races.
Each USCF rider is assigned to one of five numbered Categories
(Women are assigned to one of four), depending on experience and race results.
New members are automatically assigned to Category 5 for Men and Category 4 for
Women. Many local recreational riders never seek to advance beyone Category 3.
Riders can upgrade to the lower-numbered, more competitive categories based on
a combination of experience and race results. In general, categories are as
follows:
Category 1: National Caliber atheletes who often compete in the
same races as professionals.
Category 2: Advanced riders with several
successful seasons of experience.
Category 3: Intermediate riders with one
to three years of experience.
Category 4: Novice Riders in their first or
second seasons.
Category 5: New Licensees and 1-day licencees.
Upgrading
Most rider upgrades for Louisiana and Mississippi are handled by
LAMBRA. To request an upgrade, complete the
Upgrade
Request Form available from the LAMBRA
website, or contact Shane
Hernandez (337-234-7474) .
USACycling has specific requirements and
procedures for upgrading. You can see the
USAC
Upgrading Guidelines page, or read the summary that follows. Upgrades from
one Category to another are made through the Louisiana/Mississippi Bicycle
Racing Association. See above for address and contact information. The USCF
rulebook lists a system of points to be used for upgrading that is based on
placings and number of entrants. In general, the requirements for upgrading
are:
- From Cat. 5 to 4: 15 points to upgrade by results OR
experience in 10 mass start events.
- From Cat 4 to 3: 15 points in any 12 month period OR
experience in 25 "qualifying" races with a minimum of 5 top-ten finishes, OR 30
points in a 12 month period is an automatic upgrade.
- From Cat 3 to 2: 30 points in any 12 month period, OR 60
points in 12 months is an automatic upgrade.
- From Cat 2 to 1: 30 points in any 12 month period, OR 60
points is an automatic upgrade.
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