Kansas Mourns Loss of Long Time USAC Official Robert Helfrich

Long time USACycling race official and 2022 KCA Hall of Fame inductee Robert Helfrich, passed away January 19, 2023.  The Kansas Cycling Association would like to extend our deepest sympathies to his family and our gratitude for his contributions to the Kansas cycling community.

 

https://www.elliottmortuary.com/obituary/robert-helfrich

Ride On

 

The 2022 Season Comes to a Close

The face of amateur bike racing was indelibly changed by the pandemic and ripples from the 2020 lockdown continue to affect many aspects of it.  A number of USACycling sanctioned events have faded into the periphery as gravel rose to fill the void and, with it, many longtime running local events have either suffered lower turnouts or have withered away.

There were plenty of bright spots, however, as many longtime events returned: The Spring Fling, Perry Dam, Jesse Blancarte, Bazaar, Wednesday Night Worlds, Joules CX, the 360 Cup, Boulevard CX and the Kansas Grass Track.  Several somewhat newer events also occurred: A Very Peculiar Criterium, the John Brown TT Series, Joules MTB and Meatball CX. Even with lower than normal turnouts, state championship events were held in Road, Track, Criterium and Cyclocross. (See this page for a full listing of 2022 results).

In 2022, we also honored three inductees into the Kansas Cycling Hall of Fame: Teresa Jarzemkoski, Mark Thomas and, posthumously, Paul Lichtenauer. Each offered a few words with Jon-Paul Shores honoring Mr. Lichtenauer and Paul’s longtime partner, Kim Larsen, accepting the award on his behalf. (Special thanks to Jesse Kadekawa Miguel for capturing the award photos).

KCA Calendar Coordinator Sam Loring is already working with promoters to design a robust road season in 2023. Thanks to all who raced, promoted, sponsored, supported, volunteered and officiated for making this season possible.

 

Ride On and Happy Holidays,

The Kansas Cycling Association Board

KCA Board Announces KBCXR/T and State Championship Schedule

KBCXR/KBCXT

 

The Kansas Cycling Association (KCA) board has declared the KBCXR/KBCXT (Kansas Best CX Rider/Kansas Best CX Team) shall remain in place for the 2022 CX season.  As the current schedule stands (see the calendar) there are four USAC sanctioned CX races on the calendar.  To appear in the KBCXR/T standings, racers must complete  three of the four currently scheduled races. Standings will be posted on the Results page at Kscycling.org

State Championship Races

You read that heading correct – races…plural. With the abbreviated CX schedule, the KCA board and race promoters and have opted to split the Kansas State Championship into two races.

The 360 Cup has been designated the USAC category championship race  LocalCycling.com CX has been designated the age group championship race.

Keep an eye on BikeReg for registration and race info as it becomes available.

 

 

 

July Racing – Something for Everyone

July is shaping up to offer diverse racing opportunities appealing to just about anyone.

Admittedly, with the early season announcement that the 2022 Tour of Lawrence wouldn’t happen, this leaves a gap in the calendar. As we see it, the gap allows for more training time. Right?

Thursday July 21 – The John Brown Time Trial continues with the second installment in the series.  Fast and flat, one can race the five mile course multiple times in multiple categories for one entry fee.   It’s a great way for beginners to try out time trial and for seasoned veterans to test new gear and positioning.

Saturday July 23 – A Very Peculiar Criterium returns for a second year and under new promotion management. Directeur Sportiff John Pahlmann (Team Grip N Rip) has designed this event to pit local teams against each other in a battle to determine who has the best Category 3 squad. Flyer coming soon on BikeReg…keep a look out

Saturday July 31 – The Kansas Track Championship Race returns to the famous Grass Velodrome.  With Category and Age Group championship races, this event is sure to be exciting.   The event will feature 500m and 1000m individual time trials as well as scratch races.

There’s more racing action planned for August which proves to be a time trial junkie’s dream come true with multiple TT opportunities. More to come…

 

 

Revolution Racing Announces Dates for John Brown

De Soto, Kansas —

*** For Immediate Release ***

Revolution Racing, LLC has announced the return of the popular John Brown Time Trial Series (permit pending) in De Soto, Kansas  June 16, July 21 and August 18 in cooperation with sponsors AxGen Sports Genetics Kurt’s Energy Bars and the Natural Grocers Cycling Team 

Race promoter Jim Whittaker is excited to be racing on the flat, five mile out and back course again located near Riverfest Park, just north of downtown De Soto.

Like the race’s namesake, Whittaker says he aims to do things a little differently, “For one low entry fee you can race as many times as you want in a variety of USAC categories plus a few that are rare:  Team, Single Speed, even a Cheater category to name a few. We don’t publish a start list…just line up when you’re ready, tell the starter your name and category then punch it.”

Because the course runs along the Kansas River on a rural road, traffic is rare making this a perfect place for men, women and kids to try time trial for the first time. Experienced racers can experiment with varying equipment and form to perfect that aero style.

Parking and racer staging is located at Riverfest Park, 33440 W 79th St, De Soto, KS

Onsite registration $20 for men and $10 for women (thanks to Natural Grocers).  Online registration entry fees slightly higher via BikeReg

 

Registration opens at 5:45, first rider off at 6:30


 

 

Kansas Masters and Juniors State Championships – May 14

For immediate release……

Registration pages have been updated with…enter today!

 

The Perry Dam Race #3 presented by Revolution Racing and The Bike Stop has been designated as the 2022 Kansas Masters and Juniors State Championship race.

Masters men and women will be scored in five year increments for state medals – 40-44; 45-59; 50-54 and so on   Juniors are scored in two year increments

Category events will not be eligible for state championships.

 Register HERE

Join Natural Grocers Nutrional Health Coach, Dr. DeAnna Hatch, post race for fresh fruit and great health advice for your healthy, active lifestyle.  Want to book a session with DeAnna? Click here.

 

USACycling Rulebook Minute

The 2022 road racing season officially kicked off in Kansas last weekend with the running of week one of the 28th edition of the Spring Fling Criterium Series.   The results of that event were delayed, in part, due to some team affiliation mix ups. We thought it might be an appropriate moment to talk a little about teams and race licensing.

It is not a requirement to join a team for the purposes of competing in a USA Cycling sanctioned race.  There are some benefits which vary from team to team but, suffice it to say, it is not required. However, if you do opt to join a team there are a couple of specific sections in the USA Cycling Rulebook that mandate licensing and representation on race day that we thought you might want to be familiar with.

“Licensed riders must register with a club and USA Cycling before they are eligible to present themselves as a member of that club. This includes, but is not limited to, wearing a club’s jersey or entering a race as a member of the club.”(Section 1F4, subsection a)

This is pretty straightforward…your team affiliation must be reflected on your license before registering and certainly before showing up in full kit. This also applies if you’ve changed teams or are racing unattached but are still racing in your old team’s kit.

 “A rider’s team affiliations must be registered with USA Cycling and will be shown in USAC member data, either on the racing license or on the USAC website. Riders whose team affiliation is not printed on their license should be prepared to show documentation at registration.” (Section 1F6, subsection b)

In the old days of printed and mailed licenses, team affiliation changes took some time. In today’s digital world, with the self service portal, this shouldn’t ever be an issue.

Race promoters have told us that they often get post event messages from race participants that their team is listed incorrectly and to please to update it. With few exceptions, race promoters use the master list from USACycling indicating a racer’s team affiliation based on their license.  As a license holder, it is the racer’s responsibility to update as changes are made.  This is accomplished by logging into your USA Cycling account and updating your team. Based on the above passages from the rulebook, not doing so may compromise your ability to compete on race day and, at the very least, will delay results for all participants.

So, we encourage you to log into your USACycling account today.  Click on LICENSE on the top tool bar and double check your team affiliation before your next event.

Rage Against The Chainring Gravel Series Registration Deadline is Approaching

The Rage Against the Chainring race series registration deadline is fast approaching. Four dates are available – two in March and two in April – to complete a four event gravel series in the Wichita, Kansas area.  RATC has been building momentum since 2014 and is unique in two respects:   it’s one of few USACycling sanctioned gravel events in Kansas and; it features non-competitive touring options, as well.    More information about this race can be found on their FaceBook page or you can register at BikeReg

 

Registration ends closes on March 2, 2022

 

#usacycling #gravelrace

Applications Now Open for USA Cycling’s Olympic Development Academy (ODA) Road Team

USA Cycling’s Olympic Development Academy (ODA) Road Team is the best comprehensive development program in North America for junior road athletes. The fully immersive program provides athletes with experience, education, and skills to take the next step forward in their progression to a trade team, the National Team or a World Tour team.

The ODA Junior Road Team will learn hands-on in Europe, racing in Kermesse races, training under the guidance of World Tour professionals, and experiencing the iconic Roubaix and Tour of Flanders courses. Athletes will be immersed in complete education sessions in strength training, skills, nutrition, tactics, sports psychology and more!

In addition to joining the team in Europe, athletes will receive a Nationals and Europe racing block training plan for strength and sport workouts. Athletes will also receive physiology testing to better understand their athletic potential and strengths.

More information here

#usacycling