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| Consider Becoming An Official in '08 |
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| Written by Administrator | |
| Wednesday, 02 January 2008 | |
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Picture the scene for a moment: The start line of one of the largest bicycle race in Nebraska. More than a hundred competitors from Nebraska and other states – are poised to begin what promises to be an epic race. But there will be no racing today, because USA Cycling-sanctioned bike races cannot go off without officials. Without officials on hand, not a mile will be ridden, no finish line sprints will be contested and no prize money handed out. With no officials, there will be no enforcement of the rules, no one to supervise a safe and fair event and no one to judge the finish. So today, the racers will pack up their bicycles and go home. It almost happened in Nebraska in 2007. You read it here first: There is a shortage of USA Cycling (USAC) officials. The good news is that something can be done about it. Many people go to races to watch their spouses, partners or friends compete. If you are going to the races already, why not consider becoming a licensed official? The process is simple. You attend a free half-day class, take and pass an exam (open-book, mind you) and pay the $35 license fee. In return, you get paid to officiate – while receiving reimbursement for travel and meals. You will also be making a vital contribution to the sport. Even if you have a racing license, consider becoming an official. It’s the perfect opportunity for a racer who may be slowly scaling back their competitiveness or for an experienced rider who wants to supplement their income on weekends when they’d rather rest than race. The Nebraska Cycling Association recommends that each club and team have at least one licensed official. As the Elkhorn Valley Cycling Team powered by Monster found out in 2007, it can pay big dividends. “We were able to fill secondary officials spots from our own staff saving the Club daily official’s fees and expenses at both the State TT and the Norfolk Classic,” Elkhorn Valley President Jon Downey said. “Having licensed officials also helped us to safeguard our club race series by having a USAC-recognized person on-hand at these events. “Finally, having officials from our club at races really gained a ton of exposure for our club and sponsors. It really made our club a solid part of the cycling community in Nebraska.” Downey also testifies to what a rewarding experience cycling officiating can be – especially when no two races are the same. “I was able to get to know many of the racers and promoters and got first-hand knowledge of how each race unfolded,” he said. “It was stressful at times, but always rewarding.” So make plans now to attend this year’s officials clinic in Omaha on Saturday, Jan. 26, from noon to 3:30 p.m. This free training session and exam will be conducted by Category A-level official Sean Weide, whose 15 years of officiating experience includes several USA Cycling national championship and National Race Calendar-level events. Reserve your spot in this year’s officiating class today by e-mailing Sean Weide. |
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| Last Updated ( Sunday, 03 February 2008 ) |
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