Interesting Article on USA Cycling

[zigmeister]

Already done. http://nabra.us/

The best way forward is talking with the racers in the area and get a sense of how many will go to an event that switches to NABRA, Present the information to local promoters.

Other than not racing at all, this is the only way consumers can affect USAC.

Exactly. In Florida, pretty much every single race is under an organizer that is USAC sanctioned, hence, you can't race without being part of USAC in the State with a 1-day license, or annual.

There really are no other alternatives.

The big scam this past year was USAC bumping up everybody's annual license fee by like 40%. So whoopidity doo..you get a CX/Track license as well as your road license. So for a little more money, you get more licenses/racing options under USAC.

The problem is, how many people race all of these disciplines and use other licenses? A very small percentage.

Clever way to screw the entire mass, raise more revenue, and really only a very small portion of people benefited from this move. Of course, Steve Johnson and company benefit their wallets over this move.

So now I got a CX/Track license, I will never use, and $30/yr out of my pocket for the same Road license. I know, big picture, what is $30...but spread that over hundreds of thousands of USAC license holders...wow..now it is a big impact on the USAC purse strings.

 

[D-Queued]

Exactly. In Florida, pretty much every single race is under an organizer that is USAC sanctioned, hence, you can't race without being part of USAC in the State with a 1-day license, or annual.

There really are no other alternatives.

The big scam this past year was USAC bumping up everybody's annual license fee by like 40%. So whoopidity doo..you get a CX/Track license as well as your road license. So for a little more money, you get more licenses/racing options under USAC.

The problem is, how many people race all of these disciplines and use other licenses? A very small percentage.

Clever way to screw the entire mass, raise more revenue, and really only a very small portion of people benefited from this move. Of course, Steve Johnson and company benefit their wallets over this move.

So now I got a CX/Track license, I will never use, and $30/yr out of my pocket for the same Road license. I know, big picture, what is $30...but spread that over hundreds of thousands of USAC license holders...wow..now it is a big impact on the USAC purse strings.

While I have no particular motivation to defend USAC, your unified license may be more consistent with the ROW (you know, the Rest of the World).

One of these days, USAC may move Nationals to occur in June. It may be some sort of communist conspiracy, of course, as this is when the UCI stipulates they be held - unless you are in Oceania, in which case you can hold them in January.

Dave.

 

[DirtyWorks]

I know, big picture, what is $30...but spread that over hundreds of thousands of USAC license holders...wow..now it is a big impact on the USAC purse strings.

I forget the number, but USAC hasn't gone above 200,000 members in forever. I'm thinking the reality is more like 100,000 license holders. They've pumped the number up by issuing licenses for coaches, mechanics and more. The basic number of racers hasn't moved in decades. That's not their goal anyway.

Regarding USAC revenue, you have to understand that whatever revenue USAC has, is spent by USACDF not USAC. Who controls USACDF? Thom Wiesel.

Why have USACDF in the first place? None of the difficult strings attached to spending money at USA Cycling.

 

[DirtyWorks]

One of these days, USAC may move Nationals to occur in June. It may be some sort of communist conspiracy, of course, as this is when the UCI stipulates they be held - unless you are in Oceania, in which case you can hold them in January.

And, BTW, because USAC runs their National Championships outside the UCI's official window, no WT points are given to the podium. Another USAC mystery wrapped in a question.

 

[D-Queued]

And, BTW, because USAC runs their National Championships outside the UCI's official window, no WT points are given to the podium. Another USAC mystery wrapped in a question.

Mmmm.

Odd that a list of past winners suggests that the lack of granting of WT points could also be some sort of anti-doping policy.

Just saying.

Going way past Hincapie, Leipheimer, Hamilton and Armstrong to 'winners' like Jemison who notoriously punched Steffen in the face for talking to David Walsh.

Dave.

 

[DirtyWorks]

Mmmm.

Odd that a list of past winners suggests that the lack of granting of WT points could also be some sort of anti-doping policy.

Just saying.

Going way past Hincapie, Leipheimer, Hamilton and Armstrong to 'winners' like Jemison who notoriously punched Steffen in the face for talking to David Walsh.

Dave.

How about a variation on that? No chance anyone gets WT points that USAC doesn't like.

Any way I look at it, it's still a question wrapped in an enigma. It's up there with Gorski (where have I heard that name before?) firing Thompson.

 

[proffate]

Great article DW. Keep up the good work of finding information that shows how corrupt USCF was and that questions the motives of USAC.

I mean... it was on the Velonews front page. That's doesn't exactly qualify as obscure.

 

[mewmewmew13]

I mean... it was on the Velonews front page. That's doesn't exactly qualify as obscure.

watch how quickly it fades from attention. Sadly I'm afraid that is what the UCI and USAC are hoping.

 

[hiero2]

Already done. http://nabra.us/

It's basically OBRA (largest bike racing population per capita) only trying to expand outside Oregon. They do sanction races all over the country, but USAC works very hard to limit their expansion.

The best way forward is talking with the racers in the area and get a sense of how many will go to an event that switches to NABRA, Present the information to local promoters.

Other than not racing at all, this is the only way consumers can affect USAC.

thanks for reminding me! I had forgotten them!

Doesn't the USAC penalize USAC registered riders for riding in Nabra events?

I had heard, a few years back, that something was being attempted. Glad to see they are still alive.

 

[mewmewmew13]

from @nyvelocity twitter...
good old USAC does it in aces ...

https://twitter.com/nyvelocity/status/482582811379920896

 

[86TDFWinner]

LOL, Mew...I always love it when folks deny doping, and then the proof smacks them in the face. He's taking a page out of Wonderboys/Leipheimers/GH's/books: deny deny deny until you're proven to have doped, then say "oh sorry", then admit & hope for the best.

 

[DirtyWorks]

thanks for reminding me! I had forgotten them!

Doesn't the USAC penalize USAC registered riders for riding in Nabra events?

I had heard, a few years back, that something was being attempted. Glad to see they are still alive.

They tried with mountain bike events and there was an extremely negative response in the U.S. I don't know if it was tried in other countries. It wouldn't surprise me to hear it was only Thom and Steve trying it out.

Current status, there is a rule but no one enforces it. Does that sound familiar?

NABRA is alive and kicking. They've got some promoters outside Oregon, but need more. Honestly, I think many promoters would switch if there was some confidence riders would show up. Which is why coordinating racers and promoters is an important task to get things to change in the U.S.

 

[westerner]

Looks like one big happy cycling family in the ol' US of A...

Chris Carmichael, Biking Legend Lance Armstrong's Coach, to Enter Cycling Hall of Fame
http://http://www.theintelligencer.com/archives/article_174e16e9-6462-5603-a7e1-27a2a4bd66ab.html

"While Armstrong has been off winning Tours, Carmichael has built a training business in Colorado Springs that has been used by dozens of elite athletes and cancer survivors. He has worked with such cyclists as three-time Olympian George Hincapie, former world champion Dede Demet-Barry and 2000 Olympian Dylan Casey."

 

[mewmewmew13]

^^^^
they will never change..stranglehold. It's amazing that everyone outside is fairly powerless..

I see now they are promoting themselves as great mentors of cycling by posting pics of the cute kids 10year olds etc national champs on twitter..FFS

 

[MarkvW]

Looks like one big happy cycling family in the ol' US of A...

Chris Carmichael, Biking Legend Lance Armstrong's Coach, to Enter Cycling Hall of Fame
http://http://www.theintelligencer.com/archives/article_174e16e9-6462-5603-a7e1-27a2a4bd66ab.html

"While Armstrong has been off winning Tours, Carmichael has built a training business in Colorado Springs that has been used by dozens of elite athletes and cancer survivors. He has worked with such cyclists as three-time Olympian George Hincapie, former world champion Dede Demet-Barry and 2000 Olympian Dylan Casey."

That news is a decade old, isn't it?

 

[westerner]

Yes mark, it's from 2003. Just funny when I googled for info on the US cycling hall of fame this came up. Things to promote back in happier times.

 

[RobbieCanuck]

I mean... it was on the Velonews front page. That's doesn't exactly qualify as obscure.

So what!!!!!. Who reads Velonews anyway? The thread and the issue in case you missed it is the substance of the article, "Interesting Article on USA Cycling" and DW continues to bring these articles to the Clinic. Kudos to him.

 

[Fus087]

And, BTW, because USAC runs their National Championships outside the UCI's official window, no WT points are given to the podium. Another USAC mystery wrapped in a question.

To clarify, the points that aren't given are UCI America Tour points. WT points have never been on offer at any national championship.
What's more, it makes more sense from a racing point of view to have the US champs in May, after the Tour of California, than in late June, just before the Tour.

How many of the biggest riders (that are Tour-bound) would go back to the States to compete, with transatlantic flights, jet-lag and all that?
As it is now, many US pros riding in Europe do the Tour of California and then ride the US champs as well, because they're already on that side of the pond.

Finally, I personally think that the limitation of UCI points only to championships held in late June should be lifted.

 

[purcell]

I hear you and I don't know off the top of my head of any grassroots sporting organizations that have imploded due to membership withdrawal. I am aware of many political organizations that have. And with respect to this USA situation, about which I only have an outsider's point of view, maybe I am being naïve.

But surely there are member riders of USAC that are pi$$ed off with what has happened to its National Governing Body in terms of its lop sided organizational structure, control and apparent biases. Personally I would not belong to an organization unless there was some significant mechanism for me to have a say in its operation. All it would take would be a nucleus of credible riders to start the revolution at USAC.

Based on my observations I would have more faith in USOC and the present UCI to be more receptive to a new NGB than old USOC and the Verbruggen/McQuaid corrupted UCI. And that too may be very naïve of me. But how do you know until you try?

However you may be right. There is probably no small p political will to make the changes needed or there is just too much apathy and reluctance to interfere with the status quo. Sad, because it is clear the structure of USAC creates a dictatorship/monopoly for the financial benefit of the Weasel types.

Regarding your BP analogy, there are many people in Western Canada that work for oil, gas and pipeline companies that also belong to the Western Canada Wilderness Association or the Alpine Club of Canada, both of which are committed to environmental integrity.

Just because you work for an oil and gas entity does not mean you discard your commitment to clean energy at the office door. The fact is these projects pollute, but many of them are necessary for the economy so the key is to construct them as environmentally friendly as possible. Many oil and gas workers are committed to this goal. The tough thing is to find the balance as to which projects should proceed and which ones are too environmentally degrading.

I personally oppose the Keystone XL pipeline because British Columbia is just a too important environmental jewel worth protecting. In that case the balance is in favour of the environment.

While your stated altruism is, I suppose, admirable. What the hell does opposing Keystone XL have to do with British Columbia?

 

[MarkvW]

USAC members support a corrupt establishment. They won't quit because they don't care. They are the core hypocrites who enable the corrupt establishment.

 

[DirtyWorks]

To clarify, the points that aren't given are UCI America Tour points. WT points have never been on offer at any national championship.

Ok, good clarification!

What's more, it makes more sense from a racing point of view to have the US champs in May, after the Tour of California, than in late June, just before the Tour.

How many of the biggest riders (that are Tour-bound) would go back to the States to compete, with transatlantic flights, jet-lag and all that?
As it is now, many US pros riding in Europe do the Tour of California and then ride the US champs as well, because they're already on that side of the pond.

Now I'm confused. Why would they want UCI America Tour points if they are in the WT? Of course they don't want them. Wearing the jersey is nice though and why not?

What I see is USAC wants WT pros to show up, so they screw continental pros (again) earning less than a barista for those Americas points that are useless to a WT pro. Nice!! What a great way to try to be the gatekeeper to the WT.

And, BTW, we're talking maybe 4 hours travel time. I think WT riders, even the Continental Pro teams who get international invites have done quite a bit more than that by June.

I agree the UCI still has countless rules that set up a bias to the traditional European cycling. The June championships is one of them.

 

[MacRoadie]

And, BTW, we're talking maybe 4 hours travel time. I think WT riders, even the Continental Pro teams who get international invites have done quite a bit more than that by June.

I agree the UCI still has countless rules that set up a bias to the traditional European cycling. The June championships is one of them.

Tour Down Under, Tour of Qatar, Tour of Oman, Tour de Langkawi, and Tour of Turkey, to name a few (if you're just looking at WT and 2.HC races).

 

[RobbieCanuck]

While your stated altruism is, I suppose, admirable. What the hell does opposing Keystone XL have to do with British Columbia?

Yeah, sorry, I got confused with Northern Gateway. Brain fart.

 

[TrackCynic]

I see the Weisel-funded Masters/Juniors team still plans to run going in 2015 using the "Northern California Cycling Foundation" as the front to funnel funding into it (ironically, for a NorCal entity there isn't one NorCal junior on the team!) https://www.facebook.com/TeamSpecializedRacing?fref=nf

Maybe I was too hopeful there would be change in US cycling - looks like it's still the same old guys pulling the ropes.

 

[Oldman]

USAC members support a corrupt establishment. They won't quit because they don't care. They are the core hypocrites who enable the corrupt establishment.

There is some truth to that. Oregon's lead has helped the NW calendar but this area has too few cyclists to scare USAC into cleaning up. Where would they start? The complaints go to the same desks that need to be cleaned out.