Pulling your weight.

If there is one thing I never want to see members of my team doing it's taking things for granted. Too often I see shining examples of the take and give nothing back attitude that seems to be to common in amateur bike racing. For many people it seems to be all about trying to get the best deal, the most team support, the most free entry fees. But the reality is that the people who usually are first to put their hand need it the least. Sometimes we forget that this is an amateur sport and squabbling over an extra 5% team discount or race fee reimbursement while owning a $6000 bike is a bit tacky.

Yesterday all 5 members of the u-25 team took off what turned out to be a beautiful day from riding to spend 6 hours indoors learning how to be a USA Cycling official. Team CBC now has 6 certified officials.

Why do this?

Well to put it bluntly our u-25 team program may be about helping develop younger bike racers but it's certainly not about giving out a free ride. Part of the philosophy behind our team is centered around giving back whatever we can to the cycling community as a whole. We are lucky to have such a vibrant racing scene in central Virginia and we feel it's our obligation to do what we can to add to it. Through putting on races and assisting in the running of races put on by other clubs we want to help make our racing scene the best it can be. This means that to EARN the support of the team, be it financial or equipment, each rider has to pull their weight helping volunteering at club sponsored events and assisting with other clubs in their efforts to put on quality races.

So this summer when you see our guys out there in light blue polo shirts watching to make sure there is no funny business in the race make sure you thank them for taking a race off to make yours as safe and fair as it can be.