island rider

I'm sitting here recovering from a few surgeries with a bunch of time on my hand and I've been thinking… How do you find a team, or do they find you? I live in Southwest CT and race mainly in CT and New York. I started last year as a 5 and moved up to 4, the goal for this season is to get to 3. I know 4 ain't the bastion of team tactics, but during the season I found myself wishing I was on a team for various reasons. What's the common practice in situations like this? Do people ask to join, wait to be asked?

dz_nuzz

Either way works. I say go out and find a team, start riding with them, ask them about joining, etc. Gotta ask to know.

mollusk

Most teams have a team ride every week, even in the off season. Ask to go on one. If it seems good, ask to go on another. After a bunch of these you and they will know if it is a good fit.

island rider

Its funny, but around here there aren't really any teams to "go out and ride with." Or if there are, they are hiding from me.

caloso

Ask your LBS if they sponsor a team. If you like the shop, chances are you'll like the team. Also, see if there's an Early Bird series in your region. Ours has a "Meet The Teams" day; I'd imagine most others do too.

Racer Ex 

Check in with CDR and Shovel. They are in your neck o' the idylic fall colors.

island rider

Good suggestion. In hindsight, pretty obvious. Thanks, really.

mattm

In addition to meet the team stuff, what I did was race and see who I end up next to/talking to after the race. Those are good potential team mates.

island rider

That was my original plan, met some nice people that way, but it never seemed to evolve, possibly because I never expressed an interest in joining a team, or I wasn't good enough for anyone to want to ask me.

gsteinb

If you're racing in the city there are more teams than you can shake a frame pump at. Are you FB friends with anyone? If not start networking. Some of those cat 3/4 teams show up at all the NE races.

EventServices

If you're having a hard time FINDING a team now, just wait until you get farther into it and are trying to find a team that works well together.

globecanvas

I've raced with you, I'm happy to provide a character reference.

In the city, Siggi's development team seems like a good group. There are a bunch of them and they tend to approach races with an actual plan, instead of "everybody go long."

If you're closer to New Paltz, the Bicycle Depot team is an excellent group and looking very strong this year. LMK if you want an intro there.

gsteinb

I'd never want to race on a team that would have me as a member.

island rider

CDR? (Of course that implies that the teams care to meet you, er me,…)

Gstein, I try to stay north of Manhattan to race. It's based largely on experiences I've had with some riders and racers in the city (mostly as a 5 in prospect park), but that said, I have had pretty high opinions of some of the CRCA guys I have raced with north of Manhattan, so my impressions should probably be re-evaluated. As for Facebook friends, I would have no idea how to use that to network, but the CRCA route is a good suggestion I hadn't thought about. Thanks.

Funny, when I started thinking about this, our conversation at Hunter came back to mind. Thanks for the endorsement. I'm not exactly close to New Paltz (Darien, CT) but I remember seeing and liking some of their guys last year. Siggis is also an interesting suggestion. I think they were in every race I did last year, and I remember having a good opinion of their guys. I'll PM you sometime soon

Let me ask this… I am under the impression that if you are going to join a team you have to do it soon because you have to order a jersey or kit and those orders usually get placed in the beginning of the year. Is this impression correct, or would I have time?

Racer Ex 

<insert "I hear you're a huge member" here>

echappist

How goes it Grouchy Groucho

Racer Ex 

This is the best guide to team dynamics I've found:

island rider

At this point I would love someone to ride the course with me before the race and say at this turn it will open up, the sprint usually starts here etc, and deliver tips and commentary during the race. Basically, a grizzled old mentor. As for tactics and working well together, I thought that wasn't allowed until Cat 2.

EventServices

That's hilarious. If it weren't so accurate, it would be hilariouser.

shovelhd

I tell myself that every day.

gsteinb

That you don't want to be on a team that has me?

:/

Well merry ****ing Christmas

shovelhd

And a happy ****ing new year to you too.

Maybe if you're not naughty I'll gift you a leadout.

gsteinb

Ironically I've been pretty focused on personnel stuff the last few days.

shovelhd

Great. Get us some breakaway support.

gsteinb

If I pull off what I'm trying to do we should have just that and be much stronger this season.