Kram59's post about losing his team at the end of the year got me wondering what the benefits of being on a team for cross would be?

I'm curious what all have to say, not really interested in what makes your team better than another, just your thoughts on racing on a team vs unattached.

Are you a better racer for being on a team? Do teams recruit riders? Does the cost (if any) justify the return (if any)? Mostly interested in your experience on a team opposed to not.

I guess you can tell by my questions that I'm not on a team. I'm on the fence about being on a team. If asked to be on someone's team I don't know that I would accept the offer. Help me out here, thoughts, comments, suggestions. Why did you join the team that you race for? Did they have the coolest jersey design? Best perks? What did it for you...

I found this blog post to really sum it all up actually

http://hoyerfamily.com/cyclocross/?p=181

to answer your questions, it sorta depends on what cx category you are. I'm gonna go ahead and assume (and feel free to correct me if I'm wrong) you are cat 3 or lower.

are you a better racer for being on a team - heck no. you may enjoy things more and you may find other benefits, but being on a team doesnt make you a better person, bike racer, or anything like that (though experiences from being on the team can lead you down the right path towards being a better racer or person)

do teams recruit riders - depends on the team. some yes, some no. most of the time its a group of friends, most are really clubs, some are open membership, some are closed. some have application process, etc

costs/benefits - depends on the team. some cost money and you dont really "get" anything tangible back. what you do get is the oppertunity to hang out with fellow bike racing souls and that sort of thing. others will provide you with discounts at local shops, certain companies (sponsors) parts, etc.


for me: i raced last season not on a team. I loved 'cross. I started meeting people. I had a lot of fun that season. I sorta figured things out here and there. I would meet random ppl who I raced against, parked near, or just started chatting to.

this season I joined a team. I still love 'cross, even more. I met a lot of people. my teammates. my teammates friends. friends of friends of teammates friends. etc etc. having this even wider circle of ppl to talk to, talk smack to, race against, and know in general made going to races even more fun, since you got to be a part of this whole other world....not that it didnt happen before, it just got a lot bigger. some of the older/wiser/more experienced teammates have thrown me a bone here and there and passed along some tidbits of wisdom in terms of figuring out how to race, etc.

for me, it took something I love and made it even better. i have this continually expanding network of people to talk to, cheer for, get cheered by, race against, etc etc. share stories with after the race, couches to surf, etc etc.

I do have possibily THE COOLEST team in the world. only because the people who are a part of it are all soooooo amazing. I feel like the odd one out, I don't bring nearly as much to the table. Hopefully I can absorb something and in a few years "grow up" and be like one of them, because they are all amazing people.

all that said, when race time comes, we are generally racing for ourselves. If there was a situation where tactics came into play and I had a teammate up ahead, I probably wouldn't try all to hard to chase them down if there was someone on my wheel. Then again, look at what brooke said about that... :)

Teams tactics are not widely used in cross. (Note for those who must always be right -- I did not say "never used".) Once in a while, if there are enough members in a field and someone has a really good shot at winning, they might be put to use. Usually though, elite (cat 1/2) racers have better use of team tactics. In general at the novice level teams are more about camaraderie and support. NTTAWWT. Even though I race in the elite fields, I don't really need to be a part of a team, I simply like being a part of it. You probably don't need to be on a team unless you want to.

I joined the team I'm on because my road team at the time didn't have a large cross contingent. They put on the local weekly cross practices and have grown to include a race in the local series as well. It's nice to have teammates on the start line and in the pits. This season I switched to an elite women's road team and had a hard time deciding who to race cross for. In the end, I chose not to race for my road team for largely the same reasons I initially joined the cross team. The cross team also wanted me back for another season because of my results from last year. That's always nice to hear. :)

You don't need to be on a team, but it is kind of a nice thing. Here is my take on it.

Cost Benefit - No unattached fees to pay at registration. Custom team clothing that is less expensive and better quality (my opinion) than a lot of $140 bibs and $90 jerseys out there. (HUGE plug for Champion Systems)

Mental Aspect - It is cool to go to a race and not only hang with friends but also with "team mates" no real performance benefit really, it is just fun.

That is about it for me.

-Pete Rhodes
On & Off Rhodes Cycling

carpool
camaraderie
beer handups
e-z-up and pit help
participation in team / series competitions
shop / frame / parts discounts
a way to recruit new riders
junior racer development
community outreach
bike advocacy
cool jerseys and skinsuits
audience for your race reports and excuses
friendship

Morgan

Another benifit I like is being able to hook up with a couple teammates during the week and train/ride with. You can do that with a group but more times than not you are sharing your plans with teamates and you will get like minded people to show up for the training. If you show up to a group training it may or may not be what you want or need. But if you post a email to your team that you are doing something specific and would welcome comapny you will probably get it and not have to do it by yourself.

And what everyone else said.

With 95% probability, your team kit will be ugly. And if you are any good, you will almost surely be pressured into racing more often than you should. And you will probably still be riding the same group rides you'd be doing if you weren't on the team.

If you want to ride road races and crits, that's a totally different story. But for CX and mtn bike racing, most of the benefits are social -- unless your sponsors are actually giving you something of worth.

carpool
camaraderie
beer handups
e-z-up and pit help
participation in team / series competitions
shop / frame / parts discounts
a way to recruit new riders
junior racer development
community outreach
bike advocacy
cool jerseys and skinsuits
audience for your race reports and excuses
friendship

Morgan

someone to grab your pit bike when you are having a mech
oh and usually no entry fee on the race(s) your team sponsors

oh and in regards to ugly kits, well I took over the design so if they suck it's gonna be my fault

Whate everyone else said. It's nice to see a friendly face at the races, get to know more peeps, hang out, and basically just shoot teh sheit. Our team kit is/was pretty cool, but now I have 3 of them that I can't race in anymore (after dec 31).:mad: On to more friends and different kit!

Cost Benefit - No unattached fees to pay at registration.

What's an unattached fee?

Are you a better racer for being on a team? Do teams recruit riders? Does the cost (if any) justify the return (if any)? Mostly interested in your experience on a team opposed to not.

I guess you can tell by my questions that I'm not on a team. I'm on the fence about being on a team. If asked to be on someone's team I don't know that I would accept the offer.
Help me out here, thoughts, comments, suggestions. Why did you join the team that you race for? Did they have the coolest jersey design? Best perks? What did it for you...

yes
yes
yes

the people, the vibe, the camaraderie, support

team tactics do work. it's on a much more limited scale and doesn't happen in every race, but it does help having teammates in your race. on Sunday we went 1-2-3-4 in a race and we did rock it teamstyle - draft, communicate, attack, sit on chasers, get in front to control the pace, etc. the other intangible is that it is was very very motivating to ride harder & smarter knowing that teammates were depending on you.

by far the biggest benefit of a team is hanging out and sharing the experience with friends.
if you find a team with people you get on well with go for it. if not, racing solo is all good too.

I was going to point you to a blog post (http://hoyerfamily.com/cyclocross/?p=181) I made regarding this very subject but Josh beat me to it.

You should exercise some discretion about choosing a team though. Go on a team ride or three and see if you can get along with them. Teams usually take one some common themes and you need to make sure your level of racing commitment and general outlook on life is compatible.

Really, it's a great social organization.

What's an unattached fee?

Many races charge an unattached rider fee, usually $5 in New England, if you are a licensed racer with no attached club on your license. Most often seen in road disciplines and not common in mtn bike races. mixed bag in cross races.
If you race 20 times a year that is potentially an extra $100 out the window.

Many races charge an unattached rider fee, usually $5 in New England, if you are a licensed racer with no attached club on your license. Most often seen in road disciplines and not common in mtn bike races. mixed bag in cross races.
If you race 20 times a year that is potentially an extra $100 out the window.

Bizarre.

I've done...um... 13 cross races in New England and I've never seen it.

What's an unattached fee?

Maybe it doesn't happen as often anymore....??
I've always been attached to a club so it has never been a problem for me, but I do know that it was a very common thing not too long ago.

I was part of them twice last year, both times pacing a teammate through the course late in the race so that she could save some energy for the last two laps. Our club/team also brings a tent which serves as the hub for the race day, liquids, warm ups, repairs, beers, etc. Having said that, I could probably name 10 guys from other "teams" that share the tent and swap stories with us before and after every race, irrespective of team "allegiances."

BT

At anything below the elite level to me it is just a social thing. I been part of a team that was a bunch of excuse making, whiny-a$$, I am better than everyone else type people, but I have also been part of a couple teams/clubs that were just really good people to hang out with.

The plus of my current team is that you have to be either Pete (On) or me (Off) to make the On & Off Rhodes part funny and cool.

Charm City race in Baltimore this past weekend. Masters 3/4 races was won using team tactics.

From what I recall there were 4 C3 riders together at the start and first lap or so. Marc V. (Fatmarc) took a flyer off the front and established a gap. The remaining 3 riders from C3 were able to block sucessfully to keep anyone from bridging up to leader and he kept the lead throughout the race for the win. This worked because the 3 "blockers" were all probably strong enought to take the win as well and had the legs to hold of anyone. Would not suprise me if they work this same tactic througout the season and just rotate who goes of the front. Personally since they have several strong riders in this catagory I think it may be hard for anyone else to take a win - unless they have super strong legs for that race. All they need to do if someone else gets in the lead is kep sending different teamates off the front wearing that individual down and save the finish for their strongest.

Michael
www.MLKimages.com


I was part of them twice last year, both times pacing a teammate through the course late in the race so that she could save some energy for the last two laps. Our club/team also brings a tent which serves as the hub for the race day, liquids, warm ups, repairs, beers, etc. Having said that, I could probably name 10 guys from other "teams" that share the tent and swap stories with us before and after every race, irrespective of team "allegiances."

BT

I've never been part of a team officially but, most of the people I ride with belong to one of two teams so depending on who shows up for the group rides, I feel like part of the team. :D I still receive all the social aspects too and yes they have both asked me to join but I kind of like chilling out in the middle of them since they are both sponsored by shops other than the one that I work at. Being good friends with them has payed off in some road races here and there too when they have included me in their plans and such. :thumbsup:

Charm City race in Baltimore this past weekend. Masters 3/4 races was won using team tactics.Or perhaps Marc V was simply stronger than everyone else in the race?

If team tactics, and not simply having the four strongest riders, were responsible for the victory, would you expect the team to finish 1 through 4?

Was it just me or was that race crazy fast? I KNOW what kind of shape I'm in now vs last yr and never did I finish that badly last yr. I realize I got a sh*tty start but dayum, the Masters elites last yr didn't seem that fast. Stronger overall field?

Was it just me or was that race crazy fast? I KNOW what kind of shape I'm in now vs last yr and never did I finish that badly last yr. I realize I got a sh*tty start but dayum, the Masters elites last yr didn't seem that fast. Stronger overall field?Four sandbaggers were setting the pace. (Teehee.)

One tangible benefit of being on a team is the front row start the C3 guys got for (I assume) promoting the race. Not saying it is not deserved as it's a ton of work, but a benefit nonetheless.

Perhaps those 4 sandbaggers should race in the catagory that they belong in, or are they afraid of some strong competition? Just sayin....

Perhaps those 4 sandbaggers should race in the catagory that they belong in, or are they afraid of some strong competition? Just sayin....I was just joking. Plus it was the first race of the season, hard to gauge where you should be.

What doesn't kill us makes us stronger.

Fer reel. I'm looking forward to this Sunday @ Ed Sanders. Prolly get my arse handed to me again, but then, I'm a pretty stubborn sob so we'll see. I know I'm not podium bound probably ever (esp in Masters races) but I just <3 the competition and whole race scene. I AM doing a "C" race (Iron cross lite) since it fits into my schedule better and they don't have a Masters 3/4 in that race, so that will give me something to compare with how fit I am....or aren't.....

Kram - bad news, most of the fast masters were in the 1/2/3 masters race.

My first masters race was a few years ago. I had been racing C, but wanted a longer race. When the gun went off it looked like the walls fell down at the prison: everyone went like hell and I was alone. I pushed beyond belief and felt like I was going to puke the entire race... and got lapped by the first 5 guys. Humbling.

I'll be at Lilipons on Fris, Sat and Sunday setting up the course. It will be extra evil this year. We are putting an announcer on the back half of the course just to taunt the racers.

And another "team" benefit: you get to help set up/design courses.

Thor

I'll be there, too, getting my arse kicked. Thanks for making it speshul:D I was just looking at the pics from last yr. Looks like a great course.

Masters races are just crazy fast - cross or road. I have NEVER been in a single masters race that just was not that crazy fast you are experiencing. And the worst part is they are only going to get faster as everyone starts to get into shape.


Front row staging does make a big difference, but since I am never going to be close to a podium spot - I prefer lining up toward the back. I feel better passing people from the back forward as opposed to be in the front and getting passed from the people in the back :D

Michael
www.MLKimages.com



Was it just me or was that race crazy fast? I KNOW what kind of shape I'm in now vs last yr and never did I finish that badly last yr. I realize I got a sh*tty start but dayum, the Masters elites last yr didn't seem that fast. Stronger overall field?

I, for sure, won't be lining up in the front row. Mebbe in teh C race in 3 weeks....or not.

I belong to one team for mountainbike races and another for road/cross (the mountain bike team did not initially do road stuff, the road team does not really do mountain bike stuff). The road team has a lot of training rides, they have some "skills" classes from time to time and they have winter indoor workouts -- more fun when there are 30 of you on trainers than doing it by yourself. With my mountainbike team, I get good deals on bikes, parts, accessories, etc. My new mountainbike team kit looks pretty cool and we got a good deal on it. But, like others said, the biggest benefit is it expands your bicycling friend circle, people to go to races with, people to cheer you on, etc.