If you don’t find an answer to your question here, feel free to send us an email.
- How fast do I need to ride to race?
- Do I have to be a WWU student?
- What kind of bike do I need?
- Can you help me get a bike?
- What if I have a bike but it’s not working right?
- How much does it cost?
- Does it matter if I’ve raced before? Or if I don’t want to race?
- What if I can’t keep up?
- Will I crash in a race?
- How’s the gender balance?
- Are there women’s rides?
- What about cyclocross, BMX, or track racing?
- Will you come volunteer for my organization/event?
- Can I volunteer for the team?
- Can I sponsor or donate to the team?
- What’s the best part about WWU Cycling?
How fast do I need to ride to race?
Speed in road racing varies a lot with tactics and your ability to stay in the draft of other riders. However, a ballpark estimate is 16-17 mph for women and 18-19 mph for men in the beginner race categories.
Do I have to be a WWU student?
Sort of. To join the team, you must be a student at WWU, Bellingham Technical College, or Whatcom Community College.
What kind of bike do I need?
To join a team road ride, any bike that is safe and you like to ride is fine, but you’ll have most fun if it’s not slowing you down. To compete in road racing, it will be easiest if you have a road bike with shifters on the handlebars. Road bikes with down-tube shifters are allowed, but take more skill. You’re also allowed to ride flat-bar bikes such as hybrids but this is almost never done and you will have a real challenge to keep up with the pack. Bicycles must have hand-operated brakes on both front and back, and no parts of the handlebars can face forward, so aero bars are not allowed. Recumbent bicycles are also not allowed.
Can you help me get a bike?
Fairhaven Bicycle sponsors us with a 15% discount to dues-paying members, which can be applied toward a new bike. If you’re in the market for a used bike, members periodically post their bikes for sale on our Facebook page. The team also owns one 50 cm women’s specific bike that could be loaned out.
What if I have a bike but it’s not working right?
The WWU Outdoor Center has a fully equipped service area where you can do all sorts of work on your own bike. Staff (including team member Jim!) is on hand to walk you through repairs, but they will not repair the bike for you.
How much does it cost?
Riding on team rides is free. Non-Racing Member dues are $20 per quarter ($60 per year), and yield you benefits/discounts from our sponsors. Racing Member dues are $50 per quarter ($150 per year), and in addition to sponsor benefits, that covers entry fees to all races, transportation, lodging, and basic food.
Does it matter if I’ve raced before? Or if I don’t want to race?
Nope! Most members hadn’t raced before joining the team, but others had and are very competitive. If you don’t want to race, you’re still welcome to join on team rides.
What if I can’t keep up?
SUFFER! (This is one of our most popular cheers.) But just joking. Mostly. If you can’t keep up in a team ride, the group will slow down or else a couple people will stay with you to go your pace and distance while the rest of the group rides on. You can also try riding a tandem bicycle with a stronger rider so you both get a workout at a faster pace. If you can’t keep up in a race, finish anyway! You may still accrue points for the team and have a meaningful race experience. Practice makes perfect, and your strategy will improve as well as your strength.
Will I crash in a race?
We can’t guarantee you’ll never crash, but we hold skill drill days, and experienced team members provide mentorship and advice on safe riding during our team rides. Most crashes just lead to a few scrapes and a story to tell later, but if your crash is more serious EMTs are on site at every race.
How’s the gender balance?
Cycling is a sport traditionally dominated by white males, but we try to fight back and highly encourage women, people of color, and other underrepresented groups to join our ranks. Last year 7 women raced and 17 men race for WWU. Transgender athletes may compete in the regional conference as the gender they identify as.
Are there women’s rides?
Yes! President Kory is heading up women’s rides, but we’re still deciding the schedule. Transgender women are welcome on these rides regardless of where you are in your transition.
What about cyclocross, BMX, or track racing?
USA Cycling includes sports beyond road racing and mountain biking, and WWU Cycling members are eligible to compete in these other sports. However, these sports have not been active in the Northwest Collegiate Cycling Conference, so what it takes is a few committed individuals to put something on. That could be you!
Will you come volunteer for my organization/event?
We are always interested in volunteer opportunities. Best times are in the fall and winter; in spring most of us are busy racing and keeping up our class work.
Can I volunteer for the team?
Yes! Our home race weekend this year is March 18-19 (the weekend after WWU final exams), and we need volunteers for all manner of tasks, including course drivers, crossing guards, setup, tear-down, and vending. Contact us at westerncycling@gmail.com; Rachel, Lillian, or Brady will respond to you.
Can I sponsor or donate to the team?
Yes! Please get in touch with us at westerncycling@gmail.com. You can also make a monetary donation (both one time or recurring donations) online through the WWU Foundation website. We are open to donations of gently used clothing and supplies, in addition to monetary donations. Note that to get your sponsor logo on our kits (cycling uniforms), that needs to happen by October/November when kits are printed, but mid-year sponsors are still welcome and will be promoted through other means.
What’s the best part about WWU Cycling?
BIKES! BIKES! BIKES!