Click Here to see the 2006 NWWC Cat 3 and Cat 4 Race series Schedule

As a woman bike racer, you know how hard it can be to jump into a USCF event when all categories 1-2-3-4 are lumped together in one race. You also know how hard it can be to measure your progress against competitors of similar ability when you don’t get a chance to race against them. Promoters also know how difficult it can be to justify the inclusion of a women’s race, much less individual women’s categories, when the field sizes are so small.

Now there is a points series to help solve these problems!

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

What is a Points Series?

By combining existing races on the local racing calendar into an overall series, we can keep track of performance and award points to all women who finish each race. The higher you place in each race, the more points you earn. The points are accumulated and tallied at the end of the series. The person with the most points wins the series, and prizes are awarded to the top 25 women with the most points.

Points are tracked for Category 4 (beginner) and Category 3 women racers. You do not have to do all the races on the Series schedule; just do as many as you can. Your points accrue more quickly if you do more races. You also can accumulate participation points for completing races not included in the core Series. Just let your points keeper know you finished.

Racers participating in the Series will get participation points for racing on the track, if you report your racing to the Points Keeper! More information is posted at The Marymoor Veledrome Association

Does it cost anything to join the Series?

The Series is free to all participants. Completing any of the races in the Series Schedule automatically enrolls you.

Although there are no fees for participation in the Series, there are normal race entry fees associated with registration for each race, and those are the responsibility of the participant. The promoters of the races typically charge $15-25 and higher for some big events.

Who is Eligible to Participate?

The Series is open to all Category 4 and Category 3 women racers of all ages. Simply register for (and finish) any of the races on the Series schedule and you will be included. When categories are combined, the results for the different categories will be separated.

If I’m new to racing, is there anything special I have to do at a race?

No, showing up and racing is usually enough! If you have any questions, look for a seasoned rider and ask her to mentor you at the race. Be thoughtful though- often people have carefully planned pre- race routines, and they may not be ready to talk right when you are! Many, many of the Cat 4 and Cat 3 riders in our area have volunteered time to help put the Series on. This program- as all of NWWC’s programs are- is by and for the riders. If you ask around at a race, you’re likely to find someone who can help you out.

How many points do I get for each race?

It depends on how high you finish. The top 15 finishers of a race get the most points, but all finishers get at least 25 (we have increased this from last year, when it was 20 points for finishing!)

You also get 15 participation points for finishing any USCF race during the season. It is your responsibility to report your activity outside the Series to our points keepers:

         Nancy DeLanoy is in charge of the Cat 4 points

        Tia Bartos and Lise Grace are in charge of the Cat 3 points

This makes it possible to earn points even if you can’t always make it to official Series races.

What happens if I upgrade during the season?

Upgrading to a higher category is a great accomplishment, and seeing riders progress is one of the goals of the Series. We hope that more women will graduate into the higher ranks and more women will try it as beginners. This grows the sport! If you’ve earned an upgrade, you will keep any accumulated points you have prior to your upgrade.

Participants can upgrade at any time by contacting their USCF Regional Coordinator or the Local Representative. Upgrading information is also available at the USA Cycling web site

Do I have to upgrade?

No, it’s up to you. But if you race often enough and are often in the top 6, you might bump up against the mandatory upgrade rules. During the Series, any Cat 4 with 30 or more USCF upgrade points (including points earned from the previous 12 months period) is considered to be automatically upgraded to the next category, and is no longer eligible to compete for additional Series points. (USCF automatic upgrade, per rulebook). However, the points accumulated up to the time of upgrade will be retained for overall standings.

If you are a Cat 4 and upgrade to a Cat 3 during the series, you will stop sccuring points for the Cat 4 series and begin accruing points in the Cat 3 series. This means you can place in both of the Cat 4 and Cat 3 series, but that is ok.

How do I know how many points I have?

Points totals will be tallied and posted on www.nwwc.org after each Series race.

What happens if I’m disqualified from a race?

All races follow United States Cycling Federations rules (or the rules of another race sanctioning body). If you are disqualified either during or after a race, you will be removed from the Series results and not awarded any points for that event. You should check to see if there is a protest period or protest procedure if you disagree with the officials. All results are provided by the officials and the race promoters, and those results are final.

What happens if I finished but my name is not on the results list?

Use the protest period to make sure you’re included! The promoters and officials will provide results at least 15 deep, but it’s not always possible for eyes or cameras to see everyone. Make sure you are listed on the posted results and bring any discrepancies to the attention of the race officials before the end of the protest period. If you finished but are below 15th place and don’t see your name on the posted results, just be sure the Series points keeper has you on the finishing list.

What are the Prizes?

Thanks to sponsors such as Hampsten Cycles, Clif, K2, and others, we have prizes for the top 25 in the overall standings at season’s end. The prizes will be awarded at the picnic at the end of the Series. In addition, most promoters offer race prizes to the top finishers on the day of their events.

We are usually able to provide “fun” prizes throughout the year too. These have ranged from “Half-Way” Primes for Leaders at mid-season, to “Brave Soldier” prizes for the person who took the most dramatic spill! We’ll announce these as we go along.

What is Northwest Women’s Cycling?

Northwest Women’s Cycling is a 100% volunteer organization devoted to growing the sport of women’s cycling. We hold clinics, rides, and the Series and everything that happens exists through the efforts of the riders. Our web address is www.nwwc.org

What is Cycling Made Real?

Cycling Made Real is the name we give to the national effort to help regions throughout the US to implement similar Series and Clinics. Under the umbrella of one effort, we can approach potential sponsors on behalf of all regions and achieve economies of scale. We maintain a web site at CyclingMadeReal to link to all the regional efforts.

The 2004 regional Women’s Series and Clinics have not yet been posted. Please check back for updates soon.

How can I get more information?

Join the wcycling email list by sending a message that says subscribe wcycling in the message body to maislen@hotmail.com

Read Sports Etc, RaceCenter, and the Bicycle Paper, and many other local publications that cover cycling.

Email Michelle Maislen at maislen@hotmail.com if you are interested in general volunteering or becoming a Volunteer Coordinator for NWWC.

Come on out and try it!