SOME OF OUR MEMBERS RACE YEAR ROUND, PARTICIPATING IN VARIOUS EVENTS ON THE WEST COAST AND EVEN AROUND THE WORLD.  SOME HIT THE SUMMER MTN BIKE RACES, OTHERS THE FALL CROSS SCENE, WHILE OTHERS WAIT FOR THE BETTER WEATHER TO START RACING IN THE LATE SPRING.   BUT MOST IMPORTANTLY WE RIDE BECAUSE WE LOVE TO RIDE DURING THE FALL AND WINTER MONTHS WE HOLD CLINICS FOCUSING ON BIKE SKILLS, TEAM BUILDING, TRAINING AND ALSO THE OCCASIONAL SOCIAL RIDE TO STOP AT OUR FAVORITE BAKERIES.  BUT MOST OF ALL WE HAVE FUN!
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New to bike racing? A few tips to help your first experience be a good one.
You need a race license:
  1. You can either buy a one-day license at the event or buy an annual license at USA Cycling.
  2. If you buy an annual license from USAC, enter "Shuksan Velo Club" as your club.
  3. USAC provides officials to judge the race, to make the race safe and as fair as possible. Many of these officials have raced before. If in doubt of something, ask them. It’s good to be familiar with them.
  4. WSBA (Washington State Bicycle Association) provides promoters with equipment to help put on the races, for a fee. WSBA also gives out race numbers with membership. About half the promoters use WSBA numbers. You can get a WSBA number here or sometimes your team will send in a team form. Sign up with the list service to receive important information about upcoming races.
So, now you have a license and WSBA number:
  1. Beginner males start at category 5 and beginner females at category 4.
  2. After earning upgrade points, riders then can upgrade to a higher level, with category 1 being the highest, then pro after that. Riders can either use top 10 placements and/or top 3 finishes towards upgrade points. Remember, upgrade points also depend on how many riders are in your race. The higher the number, the more points for winning. Chart/Explanations
  3. You want to figure out what race to do or where it’s at? Look at the WSBA Calendar. The promoter will have his flier linked on the Website WHEN he has his permit from USAC. The flier will have directions, race distance, time of each race, and a prize list. If you have questions email the promoter.
    IMPORTANT: If there isn’t a USAC permit number on the flier, ask the promoter if his event will have a USAC permit. If he doesn’t, you are racing at your own risk. There will be no secondary insurance to cover any medical emergencies. If you don’t have insurance. Don’t race !
  4. You get to the parking lot. Go to registration ASAP. You will sign a release waiver. You will show your license, pay a race fee and turn in your form. Sign and fill in information legibly. You don’t want an official not being able to read your emergency contact info in case of an emergency. Plan ahead! You can pre-print forms for the season at home and have a stack in your car.
  5. Go back to the car. Pin on numbers and frame number. See examples! If the camera doesn’t see your number because of poor placement, it’s your fault.
Officials are there to make it safe, fun and fair:
  1. If you see something not safe, someone breaking the rules, or other problems, talk to the official. There will be assistant officials and also one Chief Judge (results) and a Chief Referee (oversees everything). 
  2. There are rules in protesting a result or decision. Read the rule book!