The Century Road Club Association (CRCA) is a bicycle racing club that will celebrate its 100th anniversary in 1998. We have a wide range of racing experience among our riders and offer the beginning cyclist many opportunities to improve his or her skills. The ages of active racers in our club range from 16 to 70. We welcome both sexes.
We hold club races many Saturday mornings in Central Park late March through early November. Our races are divided into A, B and C fields. The most experienced and fastest riders race in the A field. In the C field are the slower and least experienced. At least twice a year we have a women's field. To all riders with a U.S. Cycling Federation (USCF) license, we offer free coaching during the majority part of spring and summer. We promote up to three open races a year.
There are two basic categories of membership: Racing and Associate. For legal and insurance reasons, Racing members, and Associate members who wish to participate in coaching sessions, must also be members of the USCF. Racing members may race in club events and must marshal at races up to three times a year. Associates cannot race in club events and have no marshal duties. All other club privileges extend to both categories: coaching, monthly club meeting, monthly newsletter, voting for club officers and a 10% discount at: Bicycle Renaissance, A Bicycle Shop and Larry & Jeff's. Within each category of membership there are two levels: Regular and Supporter. The extra money is a donation and is given back to the members in the form of coaching and open race support.
If you are interested in joining CRCA as a racing member ¾ or as an Associate who wishes to take coaching lessons ¾ but are not a member of the United States Cycling Federation (USCF), you will need to apply for a racing license from that organization. (If a USCF application is not enclosed, you can get one from the NY State USCF District Representative Hilda Monaghan, 610.398.0980.) If you are already a USCF member and affiliated with another club, you must get your affiliation changed to CRCA through Hilda Monaghan.
The CRCA is growing and improving. Returning from a successful coaching season in 1997 are Category I coach Jose Alcala and former National U.S. Champion John Eustice. Coaching sessions will be held weekdays and on some weekends. Monthly meetings cover training tips, bicycle maintenance, as well as proper diet.
CRCA has been working with New York City Parks Dept. to promote safety. Safety is a big concern and the club has established an aggressive race marshal program. New (racing) members must marshal once before racing and will be assigned to marshal up to a total of two times in 1998; renewing members marshal up to two times each season.
Please fill out the accompanying forms fully and return to us the appropriate amount by check or money order. The racing membership fee (except for subteam applicants) includes one CRCA jersey. You must wear a yellow CRCA cycling jersey (or your subteam jersey) and a helmet at club and at open races. Club jerseys can be picked up at club races and at monthly club meetings or, in special cases, can be mailed.
Print out the application form, questionaire, and 1998 athletes release form and mail them to the address below. If you have questions, call me direct at 212.222.8062.
CRCA
PO Box 20412
Greeley Square Station
New York NY 10001-9992
Very truly yours,
Jim Boyd, Membership Director