The 2015 Club of the Year applications have opened and we encourage you to nominate your club!

Each year, USA cycling awards three "Overall Club of the Year" designations as well as ten special awards focused on specific disciplines and niche clubs. These awards are designed to recognize clubs that have made exceptional efforts to develop programs and promote cycling. Past clubs have been involved in everything from junior rider development to hosting women’s cycling clinics.

Some, like the Northwest Cycling Club have programs that encourage riders to give back and volunteer in the community.

The selection committee will choose one winner for each division (I, II and III) and each special award (Junior, Interscholastic, Masters, Women, Best New Club, Track, Mountain Bike, Collegiate Varsity, Collegiate Club and Cyclo-cross). Clubs may only apply for one award. It is recommended that clubs start thinking about this at the beginning of the year and keep the awards in mind as they plan their programs and racing season.

For more information on past winners and the application process, click here. Clubs that are selected for the club of the year award receive 2016 club membership with USA Cycling and are also featured in articles on our website and in monthly newsletters.

Applications are due Monday, November 30, 2015 and winners will be announced on our website on December 15, 2015 so don’t put this opportunity off.

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Attention all Carolina's CX racers......per the UCI, feeding in CX races is no longer allowed anywhere on course, regardless of temperature. The CCA will be strictly enforcing this rule throughout the season so that you are adequately prepped for the UCI NC Grand Prix and CX Nats. Exceptions are only authorized under EXTREME conditions by the Chief Refferee.

SAVE THE DATE !!!!! As part of the new Beginning Racer Program (BRP), the CCA will be hosting the last of five clinics for beginner racers on July 11th, 2015 in... Kernersville, NC. The Beginning Racer Program will focus on a different skill at each clinic....sprinting, cornering, pack skills, etc. The clinics will take place in the morning with races in the afternoon and attendees will earn upgrade points. While men are welcome to attend, our primary focus with this year's BRP clinics will be Women and Juniors. Attendees at this third clinic is where clinic participants will race on the US Collegiate Road National Championship Criterium course in Downtown Asheville. Additional details will be forthcoming and updated below. You do not want to miss these clinics. The Facebook eventlisting is here.

Dates of the Series:

Topic: Protecting your Front Wheel
Sunday, March 29th: NC State Campus, Raleigh, NC

Topic - Cornering Skills
Saturday, April 18th: Pedal Chic Bike Shop/USPRO Crit Championships, Greenville, SC

Topic - Formation and Anticipation
Saturday, May 9th: Collegiate National Championships, Asheville, NC

Topic – Sprinting
Sat/Sun, June 27-28: CCA RR Championships, Fayetteville, NC
(Same clinic will be held each morning to accommodate all categories.)

Topic - Putting it All Together
Friday, July 10th: CCA Crit Championships, Kernersville, NC

Answered by the USAC Technical Director in Today's Technical Director Update

Disc Brakes for Road

So...are disc brakes allowed for road events?

Rule 1I1(e) indicates that bicycles must meet current UCI technical regulations at events that select 17-18, U23 and Elite riders for international competition or national teams. All bicycles used in National Championships (for age 17 and older riders) and NRC races must comply with the current UCI regulations. At the discretion of USA Cycling, UCI rules may be adopted or modified for Masters National Championships.

With this rule in mind, disc brakes would NOT be allowed in National Championship road events (unless an exemption is given), NOT be allowed in NRC races, NOT be allowed in UCI races (i.e. Tour of Utah, Tour of California, etc.), etc.

Rule 1I3(b) indicates that for road (and cyclo-cross and MTB) only a bicycle with a freewheel and one working brake on each wheel shall be used, except as allowed elsewhere in these rules.

With this rule in mind, do I care what kind of brake your bike uses? Not really - it could be cantilevers, calipers, and yes even disc brakes. As long as the brake is functional, that's what we want to see. So in this case - yes, disc brakes are allowed.

So the end result: YES, disc brakes are allowed in road events as long as the event is not a UCI race or a race where UCI regulations are being enforced (such as National Championships, NRC rac

Restructured Race Director Certification Program

From USA Cycling: At the end of 2013, several constituent groups met and had the chance to discuss the race director education program. From that feedback, the race director education program has been restructured to better fit the needs and interests of our members while helping to raise the quality and safety level of USA Cycling sanctioned events.

Race director license structure