FAQ

QUESTIONS THAT YOU’VE ALWAYS WANTED TO ASK:

 

What can a Team do for me? 
Cycling racing is a team sport. While your choices may be individual, the tactics and knowledge, gained by training and racing with a club can benefit all cyclists. Criteriums, Cyclocross, Mountain biking and road racing have similar elements and requirements. But, the best reasons to join are: Camaraderie; the ability to work and train with others, to Improve technique and tactics; the support of a shop, sponsors and community recognition.

 

Is there a Licensing body and which one do I need?

For all sanctioned events you’ll need a USCF license appropriate to your discipline and skill level: Every one starts at the beginner level and moves up with race sufficient points. Your cycling license expires every December 31^st. The USCF part of USA Cycling is the governing body that oversees and sanctions bicycle racing in United States. It provides insurance for you and the event organizers. Annual (Seniors, Juniors) and One-Day Licenses are available. All WOB Racing Co members must be annual members.

 

What are the USCF categories? 
Racers are divided up into 3 groups, Juniors (10-18), Seniors (19-29), and Masters (typically +40) Seniors and Masters are placed in categories 1 through 5. A new racer begins in Category 5 (also called Citizens) and tries to move up through the ranks to Category 1. Seniors competition is by category Juniors and Master competitions are often broken down by age groups such as 10-14, 15-18 from Juniors, and 40+ and 50+ for Masters. Some events offer separate Women’s divisions as well. Racers can compete in any event for which they are qualified by group or category. For example a 42-year-old Category 3 racer can race in the Masters 40+ event and also enter the Seniors Category 3 event. Similarly a Category 4 Junior can enter the Juniors event and the Category 4 event.

What are the differences between Criteriums, Cyclocross, Road Races, and the Time Trial? 

Cyclocross was developed in the 1920s in Europe by road racers who wanted a way of staying in shape during the off season.  Cyclocross has gained much popularity recently as it combines the skills of criterium racing and mountain biking.  It’s fast paced and spectator friendly. Like those racers in the 1920s, cyclocross in Iowa begins during the last weeks of September and ends in December.

Road Races are mass start events, typically thirty-five to sixty miles in length,  held on the open road, sometimes they are held on a ‘circuit’ or circular course, several miles in length, and completed as multiple laps to finish. The road season is generally from March through August with Iowa’s primary events during the Memorial Day weekend.

Criteriums are mass start timed races held on a smaller loop course generally on a closed course within the city. The events last for a set number of minutes (generally 30-60 minutes per category) and when time has elapse the racers complete a few counted laps to the finish. Criteriums are fast and dangerous, held on courses generally one mile or shorted, involve sprints, high speed corners and racers shoulder to shoulder.

Time Trials are events where each individual racer is completing a prescribed course and is timed against the clock. Racers start at timed intervals rather than in a pack and their times are ranked after all contestants have completed the course. Events are generally 20 Km (12.25 miles) or longer.

What kind of bike racing does WOB Racing Co do? 
We race in a variety of cycling events, primarily road and cyclocross.

When are your weekly training rides, and can I participate? 
WOB Racing rides throughout the year. We’re generally out on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Sundays, weather dependent. Check our schedule at World of Bikes or email, mike.clark@worldofbikes for more information about rides.  During the winter months we meet at the shop and ride trainers.

How old do you have to be to race bikes? 
Any age can race. Racing is a matter of desire more than age. We encourage racers to begin as early as possible.

Why would I want to wear a cycling kit? 
The kit is very important. They provide you support for working muscles and aid in muscle recovery. They cut wind resistance so you can ride faster with less effort. They provide protection by wicking perspiration to help cool your body on warm days and warm on those cool fall and winter days.  More important they advertise our sponsors. They’re the ones who provide product and monetary support for WOB, and they’re our friends.

Should I shave my legs? 
The simple answer is absolutely yes.  Shaving is not just cosmetic. One of the earliest reasons given is, shaving keeps the legs cooler and aids sweat dissipation.  The reason given more times than not is, when, you fall of your bike at race pace you’re going to meet the pavement, picking up all manner of nasty things. If your legs are shaven the risk of infection is lessened as cleaning the wounds is easier on smooth skin than the hairy tangle of blood and dirt on unshaven legs. Lastly, it looks cool and is simply a part of cycling tradition.