March 29th

News has been posted about the upcoming USAC, USCF, NORBA elections on the USAC web site. If you have an interest in running for one of the elected positions or if you just want more information about the upcoming elections you can find the information here.

USAC has also posted a FAQ to answer questions about when a master rider is considered an elite rider and ineligible to ride in master events. Note there are some differences between the UCI and USCF rules. For example a rider over the age of 30 who rides in the 1/pro elite event at Sea Otter ( a UCI calendar event) can still ride at the USCF masters nationals but is not eligibe for the UCI Masters World Championships. Red all about it here.

March 25th

The Cat 4/5 field at Wards Ferry RR is full with 10 riders already on the wait list. Check here to see the status of your field at Wards Ferry and see who is on the wait list. Plenty of room for all fields in the Tuolumne Crit.

March 18th

As of last night There were only 2 open entry slots in the Cat 4 field for the Pilarcitos Stage race and only 3 open entry slots for the Women Cat 3 race.

As of yesterday it looks like only the 45+/55+ race is clsoe to filling at the Madaera Stage race. Look here for the status for the madera fields.

March 16th

This message is of primary interest to Cat 3 riders looking to upgrade to Cat 2. NCNCA has gotten permission from USAC to make some adjustments to the upgrade guidelines to help better serve the riders in our area. Since the number of upgrades from 3 to 2 seem to be out of balance we will be making an adjustment in how upgrade points for Cat 3s are calculated. Last year we had 128 Cat 4 to 3 upgrades but only 36 Cat 3 to 2 upgrades. This year we have had 45 Cat 4 to 3 upgrades but only 4 Cat 3 to 2 upgrades. In general, I think the number of 3 to 2 upgrades should be equal to about 1/2 the number of 4 to 3 upgrades. Hopefully the following adjustment will get us closer to this mark.

We will actually return to the system of calculating 3 to 2 upgrade points that we have used in the past under our old USCf Dist. Rep. and continued in the NCNCA racing program. We call it the variable point system since the number of upgrade points awarded, and the number of places that get upgrade points varies by the size of the field.

Here is how the system works for Cat 3 men.
The Min field size is 20 riders for a race to qualify for upgrade points.
The winner of the race will get 1 upgrade point for winning plus 1 additional point for every 10 riders in the race.
2nd place will get 2 less points than 1st.
3rd will get 3 less points than 1st
4th will get 4 less points than 1st etc.
In a race with 20 riders the winner will get 3 points and 2nd place will get 1 point. In a race with 100 riders the winner will get 11 Pts. with 2nd - 10th getting 9,8,7,6,5,4,3,2,1 points. If the old USCF upgrade guidelines will yield more upgrade points instead of the variable point system then the old USCF system will be used to award upgrade points.

For women the system is as above except Cat 3 women will get 1 additional upgrade point for every 5 riders in the race and there is no Min. field size.

No changes are being made to the 5 to 4 or 4 to 3 upgrade process at this time. There is no change in the number of point needed to upgrade to any of the categories.

All 3 to 2 upgrade requests from this date forward will be evaluated under the new system. Any questions about the new upgrade guideline can be directed to me.

Casey

March 15th

A couple of messages from McLane Pacific promoter Doug Fluetsch

Any spectators and riders that were present after the professional women field sprint that happened to get a photo of the incident that included the antique auto, please let me know. There was not a collision and no one was injured, but I have already been alerted that the driver intends to fight this and speak to the county of the "inconvenience" the McLane Pacific causes him and all of the residents of the area.Ý The driver was tested for drinking, and although slightly below the legal blood alcohol level, he had been drinking. It was a very close call and the police officers that were on hand stood up for the cyclists and arrested the driver of the car.Ý

Ý So if you have any photos of the occurence, please let me know. I know I will have to defend our race to the county supervisors in the area as well I have been told we will be in small claims court regarding the bills the gentleman driving the antique auto incurred as we delayed the party at his house forÝhis fellow antique auto drivers as well as being incourt to testify against his reckless behavior.

Ý Thanks for those who came to McLane this year - hope you all enjoyed it. Although it is tough, we try to accomodate everyone.

and this one

We are wrapping up our McLane Pacific stuff from last weekend. If anyone has any comments - for better or for improvement, please let me know. The only way we can improve is to listen to those who see areas for improvement.Ý

Ý Also, regarding the antique auto situation.ÝThe problem has continued to escalate here.Ý If anyone was pushed off the road or forced to fall by the antique auto, please let me know.Ý The county is very concerned about the situation and I will need allÝ of the feedback possible. The way the vehicle was used has been termed "assault with a deadly weapon."Ý

Ý Thanks for any help available.

Ý DOUG FLUETSCH.
Ý March 11th

Officials interested in being certified as a mortorcycle official will want to know about a Motor Officials seminar to be held on the first Day of the Sea Otter Classic. You can get more details here.

March 10th


McLane Pacific Field size status
According to Doug Fletch as of this evening the only category that is "very near full" for the race on Sat. is the Pro men's race. The Elite 4/5 race only has about 20 places remaining. For the road race on Sunday the Masters 35+ 1/2/3 race is already full and closed. The Pro mens race will be full by the end of the evening. All other categories have ample room.

Doug will try and post a status report to the NCNCA email list tomorrow night and and update will also be reported here.

USAC names Pat McDonough National Track Programs Director. Read all about it here

March 9th

Interested persons can read an unofficial report about the Mar. NCNCA meeting
March 8th

Note about Elite riders in Master Races from Shawn Farrell USAC Tech Director

Hi everyone, we are still getting reports of elite riders sneaking into masters races. Please have all of your organizers review rule 1H4, and generally all the rules of engagement.

The following are elite riders:
1) riders with racing ages between 23-29.
2) riders on a UCI trade team (road, track, or mountain bike)
3) riders who represent us in 2004 in an elite world cup, international games, or world championships (all at the elite level).
Note that items 2 and 3 do not include an age. Thus a 35+ rider who is on a trade team is an elite rider. A 35+ rider who is not on a trade team but rode the world cup in Moscow is an elite rider.
Elite riders cannot ride masters races. The only exception is that non-trade team riders who are over 30 but hold elite status due to item 3 above may be allowed to ride masters if the organizer so specified in the race announcement.
On the other hand, we allow masters to ride elite races. They should be warned that riding an elite UCI event will mean they cannot ride a UCI masters event for the rest of the year.

March 4th

Cat's Hill Roadway Improvements Starts

Dear Cycling Community,

Construction of the new Cat's Hill starts tomorrow March 5 at 7:30 AM!! Stop by and pick up you souvenir a la Paris - Roubaix pave.

Again, we are asking your club and/or individual riders to help with a donation to this project. Donations of any amount will help. Even $5. The Los Gatos Rotary Club will collect donations where checks should be made payable to "Los Gatos Morning Rotary Club." Just write "Cat's Hill Road Improvement" on the comment line of your check. Please mail checks to Los Gatos Morning Rotary Club, P. O. Box 1328, Los Gatos, CA 95031 and e-mail me at bgordon@structint.comwith the amount so that we can keep track of the rebuilding fund. This will also allow us to proudly announce all individual donors' and club's names during the Cat's Hill 30th Anniversary ceremonies on May 8. The LGBRC and the Town of Los Gatos look forward to your support.

Barry Gordon, President
Los Gatos Bicycle Racing Club

Back to NCNCA main page

March 1st

USAC has released more details about the Elite Nationals and the Olympic Trials. You can read the details here Note that a couple of junior events have been added to the schedule. These events are part of the process for selecting the Jr. Worlds Team for this year.

NCNCA Meeting Reminder
Just a quick reminder about the monthly NCNCA meeting which will be held on Monday March 8th. The meeting will start shortly after 7pm and it will be held at Marie Callendar's Restaurant, 2090 Diamond Blvd., Concord. From Highway 680 take the Willow Pass Exit and head east. Turn left (north) onto Diamond at the first intersection. The restarunt is on the right at the 4th light on Diamond.

As Always all interested parties are invited to attend the meeting but only delegates from NCNCA member clubs can vote on issues brought up at the meeting.

Back to NCNCA main page

Feb. 27th 2004

Promoters should be aware of the following changes in USAC policy re race permits.

 Insurance update

Due to some feedback that we have received from promoters:

·         The Non-Hired Auto/Moto Insurance will not be mandatory.

·         The USCF Competitive Event Permit form will be revamped to allow promoters to decline USA Cycling’s Non-Hired Auto/Moto Insurance.

·         Promoters will still need to mark the forms either way, accepting or declining. 

·         No money will be due with the permit.

·         Promoters wanting the insurance need to submit the Non-Hired Auto form and/or the Non-Hired Moto form with payment.

·         Instead of the 10 days prior, the forms need to be submitted no-later than 2 days prior. 

·         There will be no late fees.

 

Note:  The insurance company will not provide any insurance after an event has taken place.  This goes for event insurance, auto/moto insurance, etc…

Our hired/non-owned liability insurance only covers autos/motos that are scheduled and paid for on the hired/non-owned liability application and that are driven by officials and marshals (vehicles do not have to be owned by the official or marshal, just driven by) during the race (the definition of race includes checking the course before the start).  There is no insurance provided through USAC for autos/motos not driven by officials or marshals during the race.  The insurance does not cover non-race driving, such as driving to the hardware store for supplies or going to the pizza place for lunch since these items would normally not be excluded on personal insurance policy.  The key risk that our insurance carrier is willing to cover under this optional insurance is the racing activities which we are told many personal policies exclude or at least personal carriers will not put in writing that the exclusion does not apply to how vehicles are used in our events.

 

 If you have further questions, you may contact K&K insurance at 260-459-5000 or Todd Sowl at TSowl@usacycling.org


Danville Criterium Canceled

NCNCA has gotten word that the Danville Criterium schedule for April 4th has been canceled. There were problems securing a location in Danville and an alternative location fell through.

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