Thanks to Smart Motors

Smart Motors is providing a vehicle to transport the road barricades for the practice crits - thanks Smart Motors!

Let the Racing Begin!

Looks like we are all set to officially start the practice crits in less than 2 weeks!

Our two volunteers to become USA Cycling officials are now official officials, and we have the registration and corner guard coordinator positions filled too!

Final Reminders:
We can always use some help setting up the road closure barricades - to help, arrive around 5:45 pm.

Everyone will be expected to corner guard at some point during the 7 weeks of racing (or bring a non-racer friend to serve in your place).

Help streamline the registration process:
- complete and print the USAC release form at home and bring it to the practice crit (release form is available here: http://wp.wicycling.org/resources/race_directors/#forms)

- if you do not have a USAC license, apply for an annual license or 1-day license on-line rather than at the practice crit (available here: http://www.usacycling.org/news/user/story.php?id=579)

- bring exact change to register ($5 entry fee); checks and credit cards will not be accepted

Only 2 weeks until the first crit, but ...

The Madison Practice crits are now only 2 weeks away, however,  we still need volunteers for two key positions: registration and corner guard czars.

Again, the registration czar will check racers in, have them complete the release form, assign race numbers, collect entry fees, and have them complete USAC license applications (if needed). The corner guard czar will assign volunteers to corner guard positions for both the B and A races, and give a quick tutorial on corner guard duties.

Both jobs are pretty easy, take place between 6 - 7 pm, and will still allow the volunteer to do the A race. If you know of a non-racer (e.g., spouse, significant other, neighbor) who wants to help out and also enjoy watching the races, ask them to volunteer.

Ideally I'd like to have one person in each position for the entire series of 7 crits, however, the positions can also be shared with each person taking particular weeks. So if you are willing to volunteer for either position for a night or two (or three) let me know. 

Without these positions being filled, we will likely not be able to hold the races.

Reminders

License Reminder
Remember that you must have a USA Cycling license in order to race (and you must present your license each week at registration).

If you do not have a USAC license, you have two options:

- Buy an annual license (cost is $70), and although we will have annual license forms available on site, please join on-line as it will make things much easier than trying to do it on site. Note that this license will allow you to race the entire series (plus any other USAC races).

- Buy a 1-day license (cost is $15), and although we will have 1-day license forms available on site, please complete the form online and bring a copy of the form/receipt to the practice crit. Note that this license will only allow you to race for the one day.

For both licenses, see https://www.usacycling.org/buy-a-license.htm for details about getting your license on-line.


Release Form Reminder
Everyone has to complete a USA Cycling release form for each crit, so save some time and complete the form on-line, print it out, and bring it with you. The form is available at https://www.usacycling.org/forms/waiver.php?url=rider_waiver.


Registration Reminder
The entry fee to race is $5, and you must bring exact change - no checks or credit cards will be accepted.

Volunteers Needed

I am looking for two (or more) volunteers for key practice crit positions:

- registration czar
- corner guard czar

The registration czar will check racers in, have them complete the release form, assign race numbers, collect entry fees, and have them complete USAC license applications (if needed).

The corner guard czar will assign volunteers to corner guard positions for both the B and A races, and give a quick tutorial on corner guard duties.

Both jobs take place between 6 - 7 pm, and will still allow the volunteer to do the A race. If you know of a non-racer (e.g., spouse, significant other, neighbor) who wants to help out and also enjoy watching the races, ask them to volunteer. If several people volunteer, the positions can be "shared" and each person can take particular weeks.

Without these positions being filled, we will likely not be able to hold the races.

Madison Practice Crits Update

As I am sure everyone knows by now, Craig Heywod will not be available to officiate this year due to some health issues, and an email solicitation was sent out the the local ride list serve seeking volunteers to become USA Cycling officials so that we would be able to hold the practice crits this year.

Everyone be sure to thank the two individuals, Jason Austin and John Tedesco, who stepped up to become official USA Cycling officials and will serve as the officials for the practice crits in Craig Heywood's absence. Without their help, we would not be having the practice crits this year - so thanks guys!

At this point, things appear to be progressing on time and they should both have their official's licenses by the start of the practice crits. If things change, be sure to check this site for updates.

Practice Crit Essentials

2014 Madison Practice Criteriums schedule:

Practice criteriums will take place on Tuesday evenings in May and June. The crits are a great opportunity for new racers to learn crit racing skills and for experienced racers to work on their skills.

- May 6
- May 13
- May 20
- May 27
- June 3
- June 10
- June 17

The B race (typically Cat 4/5, women, juniors, beginners) starts at 6:30 pm for about 30 minutes, and the A race (typically Cat 1/2/3) starts at 7:10 pm for about 50 minutes.

Note: During the B race, experienced racers will be available to "shadow" B race riders (for those who are interested) and provide in-race "instruction."

Course:
The course is located at the UW Research Park on Madison's west side, and is approximately a 0.9 mile loop consisting of S Rosa Rd - Charmany Dr - Research Park Blvd.

Registration:
Registration is located near the intersection of S Rosa Rd and Research Park Blvd, and opens at 6 pm and closes at 7 pm. Each week, all riders must fill out a USA Cycling release form (available on-site or here, http://wp.wicycling.org/resources/race_directors/#forms), bring their USA Cycling license (annual and 1-day licenses are available on-site), and pay the $5 entry fee (bring exact change - no checks or credit cards accepted).

Note: The entry fee is waived for those riders doing the B race if you corner guard for the A race.

Volunteers:
- helping set up the barricades (arrive around 6 pm)
- corner guards for B race
- corner guards for A race
- breaking down the course after the A race

In past years, it has been a struggle to get all racers to serve as corner guards, so this year we are going to try a different approach and hold everyone accountable for volunteering by maintaining a record of who has and who has not volunteered (among everyone who signs up to race). If you have not served as a corner guard by the June 3 race, you will not be allowed to race until you do. Might sound harsh, but without the corner guards we cannot hold the races, and everyone who races should do their part!

Note: Bring a friend to corner guard and it can "count" for you.

Rules:

1. All riders must wear a USA Cycling legal/approved bicycle helmet.
2. Wear your assigned bib number (received when you register for the first time); same number will be used for the entire series, so don't lose it.
3. Course is open to traffic, so be aware while riding.
4. No clip-on or other triathlon/time trial bars. USA Cycling legal road bikes only.
5. You may drop out and re-enter the race at any time except during the final two laps. Re-enter the race safely and on the straight sections of the course only.
6. Use the port-potties located behind the building near the corner of Charmany Dr and Research Park Blvd.
7. Dangerous riders will be pulled at the official's discretion.
8. Check the Madison Practice Crits web site (you are on it now!) for cancellations due to inclement weather. Will try to update the page by 4:30 pm on race days.
9. All USA Cycling rules are in effect (with the exception of the free lap rule, see #5).
10. Be on your best behavior - we are guests and want to be able to continue to use the area for the practice crits in the future.
11. Volunteer to corner guard and help out with course set-up and take-down. The races do not happen without the help of everyone.