​Hello Cyclocross Racers!
 
You may already know that the 2019 CX National Championships will be held right here in our own backyard – December 10-15 at Fort Steilacoom Park in Lakewood, Washington, just outside of Tacoma.  This is really exciting for racers in our region, and it’s not too early to be making your race plans!
 
Starting positions at CX races are important – you want that “hole shot,” and even if you can’t get there first, you want to try not to get bogged down behind a bunch of riders that are stacked up in front of you!  Your starting position at Nationals is based on your ranking, which in turn is based on your average “points” in recent USAC sanctioned races.  It is a little counter-intuitive, but a lower points average is actually better than higher points average.  So, the goal is to earn the fewest points possible in each sanctioned race.
 
How the USAC calculates points is a little complicated.  If you are interested in the mathematics, the WSBA website has some information here:  http://www.wsbaracing.org/home/cyclocross-usac-rider-rankings-explained
 
But the bottom line is that your points are based on the average of your five best results in USAC sanctioned races over the most recent 12-month period.  In addition to racing well, what can you do to maximize your chances of getting “low points” for any given race?  Here are some general “rules of thumb”: 
 
First, choose races and categories where there are other racers with low points.  For example, you might choose to race Open Cat1/2 instead of Masters Cat1/2 or Open Cat 1/2/3/4/5 rather than Cat 3, the theory being that the presence of Cat 1/2 racers (or younger Cat 1/2 racers) might bring some stronger racers with lower averaged points totals.
 
Second, choose races that have bigger fields.  More participants (because of the math) usually results in a yield of lower points overall across the field.  You can review the previous year’s results for a given race to get an idea of how big the fields have generally been and also to get an idea of the kind of points that are likely to be available at this year’s race – recognizing, of course, that it all depends on who shows up!
 
Third, if you can afford the time and expense, consider traveling to out-of-town USAC sanctioned races in other regions that have large fields with low points riders, such as Colorado and the East Coast.  UCI World Cup events in particular are known to attract low points riders, and there are a number of UCI vents held in the United States.  This is a great way to lower your points total quickly.  You can find information about these races on the USAC and UCI websites.
 
https://www.usacycling.org/events
 
https://www.uci.org/cyclo-cross/calendar
 
Racing locally sanctioned USAC events will also help your rankings, but based on the population size of our region the impact on your ranking isn’t a quick process.  With that said, there are at least three regional opportunities to get after points in USAC sanctioned races:
 

• NW CX Cup:  http://www.53eleven.com

 

• Inland NW (eastern Washington): https://www.emdesports.com/inland-nw-cyclocross.html

 

• Cross Crusade (October 5 and 6 Oregon):  http://www.crosscrusade.com

 
(Note: some of the sites will be updated as CX season approaches!)
 
Some of the most competitive or largest fields in Nationals limit racer eligibility to Categories 1-3.  This is true for the Elite (Categories 1/2 only) and U23 races and also all of the other Master age-group for fields until you reach a racing age of 45+ if you are a woman or 55+ if you are a man.  In the latter two cases, Nationals allows racers of all categories. 
 
For Juniors, there are no category restrictions for girls between the ages of 9 and 18 or for boys between the ages of 9 and 16.  For boys between the ages of 17 and 18, you need to be Category 3 or higher.
 
If you have questions about your what category you need to be by December, check out the USAC Rules here: 
 
https://s3.amazonaws.com/USACWeb/forms/rules/2016_USAC_Rulebook_Chapter_7.pdf
 
If you are new to CX, it’s important to know that upgrading to Cat 3 from Cat 4 or Cat 5 (if necessary for your national championship race) before December is very achievable.
 
The move from Cat 5 to Cat 4 generally requires just a little experience in cross races.  Moving from Cat 4 to Cat 3 does involve some success in your Cat 4 races, but the WSBA will consider competitive, non-sanctioned races as part of an upgrade request.  Here are the WSBA CX upgrade request guidelines: 
 
http://www.wsbaracing.org/cross-upgrade-guidelines.html
 
 
To move from Cat 4 to Cat 3 (or higher depending on your current category, you’re looking for a couple of wins or the equivalent of 10 points in whatever combination of races you compete in.
 
The CX season begins the first week in September, and there will be at least one and often two or more races every weekend in the PNW throughout the Fall.  So, look for USAC sanctioned races for sure, but don’t hesitate to call out your good results in other races as well when you make upgrade requests.  Upgrade requests are normally processed within just a few days from your on-line application to USAC.  You will find the USAC upgrade/downgrade request link on the computer screen right after you log-in.
 
Good luck with your upcoming season. I hope to see you at the races and Cyclocross Nationals in December!
 
Kevin Raymond
WSBA Cyclocross Director
Kmraymond1@gmail.com

This year's WSBA time trial championship will be on Sunday, August 25, in Elma, WA.  It's a flat, fast, 40km course.  More information about the race is here.
​
Thanks to support from our partners Absolute Mortgage and JLVelo, the category winners will be awarded a champion’s jersey at the race finish.
All Washington, North Idaho and Oregon members are eligible to win WSBA championships, including gold medals and the championship jersey. All USAC/UCI and one day licensed riders are eligible to compete in WSBA championship events. However, racers from areas outside the USAC-defined geographic designation of the WSBA and one day license holders will not be awarded medals or championship jerseys.
As part of its partnership with the WSBA, Absolute Mortgage offers the following discount to all WSBA members.
$1000 closing cost credit with Craig Walker of Absolute Mortgage
click here: www.ApprovedbyCraig.com “APPLY NOW”
cwalker@absoluteloans.com 206.999.5600
#approvebycraig
#AbsoluteMortgageCraigWalker
#AbsoluteMortgageCraigWalkerGreenlake

2019 WSBA Senior & Master Road Race & Criterium Championships are set!
 
Book your trip over to the Spokane area June 22 and June 23!

• June 22nd – Ronde Van Palouse WSBA Senior & Master Road Race Championship
• June 23nd – Buck Knife Criterium WSBA Senior & Master Criterium Championship

 
The WSBA TT Championship event has not yet been identified.
 
Thanks to support from our partners Absolute Mortgage and JLVelo, the category winners will be awarded a champion’s jersey at the race finish.
All Washington, North Idaho and Oregon members are eligible to win WSBA championships, including gold medals and the championship jersey. All USAC/UCI and one day licensed riders are eligible to compete in WSBA championship events. However, racers from areas outside the USAC-defined geographic designation of the WSBA and one day license holders will not be awarded medals or championship jerseys.
As part of its partnership with the WSBA, Absolute Mortgage offers the following discount to all WSBA members.
$1000 closing cost credit with Craig Walker of Absolute Mortgage
click here: www.ApprovedbyCraig.com “APPLY NOW”
cwalker@absoluteloans.com 206.999.5600
#approvebycraig
#AbsoluteMortgageCraigWalker
#AbsoluteMortgageCraigWalkerGreenlake

If you’re a promoter or a would-be promoter, the WSBA is looking for 2019 road championship events.

Time Trial, Road & Criterium Championship Races are needed for Senior & Master categories. The preferred distance for the TT is between 25k and 40k.

The hope is to include as many "unique" categories in the race schedule as possible.  However, the reality is that some fields will need to be combined.  They must be scored separately as listed below.

Senior Championship Events need to include these categories:
Men -1/2, 3, 4
Women 1/2, 3, 4

Master Championships need to include these categories
Master Men 30-39 Cat 1/2/3
Master Men 30-39 Cat 4/5
Master Men 40-49 Cat 1/2/3
Master Men 40-49 Cat 4/5
Master Men 50-59 All Cats
Master Men 60+ All Cats

Master Women 30-39 Cat 1/2/3
Master Women 30-39 Cat 4
Master Women 40+ Cat 1/2/3
Master Women 40+ Cat 4
​
Please email me (gkavesh[at]gmail.com) the name of your event and which championship you’d like your event to be considered for.
 

After 20+ years, the server managing the WSBA & OBRA list servs has managed its last listing. Thus, we’re moving to the community communication tool from the old school list-serv to Google Groups.
​
We realize Google Groups are not perfect but the price is right as is the simplicity of managing the solution.
To read WSBA Groups: Go to https://groups.google.com/forum/#!forum/wsba.  You can also join the group and receive email, and you can set up delivery as: no email, abridged email, or digest.
 
To post:

1. Join the WSBA Google Group
2. Go to https://groups.google.com/forum/#!forum/wsba and click "NEW TOPIC"
3. Or reply to an existing topic

To join:

1. Go to https://groups.google.com/forum/#!forum/wsba
2. Click "Join group"
3. Sign in to or create a Google account

You can use a non-Gmail email for your Google account, but Google, in its monopolistic paternalism, doesn't make it easy. I'm sure many of us don't like that. I don't either. We're still using Google Groups because:

• Any forum or list will require an account. The old Mailman system did, too, and it was terrible.
• We looked at alternatives, and while some may be better for some people, this is the most sustainable option for all of us.

On the plus side, by migrating to Google Groups we now have the capability for categorizing messages by topics.
We’re starting out with these three:

• Announcements: similar to the existing list-serv. This is where race announcements, results, and WSBA relevant announcements will be placed.
• Buy/Sell: for individuals to post the equipment they have to sell or are looking to buy.
• Chat: general dialog section for discussions about competitive cycling or other cycling related topics.

Thank you for your understanding and patience. 

The WSBA 2018 annual meeting will be held on:
Saturday, December 15, 2018
4:00-5:30 pm
Cascade Bicycle Club offices
7787 62nd Avenue NE
Seattle WA 98115

2018 BARR Awards will also be handed out at this meeting. ​
​
The Board of Directors has endorsed a slate of candidates for the open board positions:
West Region Representative: Martha Lane Walsh
Northwest Region Representative (and MTB Director): Glen Conley

Regarding the Northwest Region position. We pursued a number of folks that live further north and we had no takers. Instead of leaving the position vacant we decided to fill it with Glen who will represent the “dirt” community as well. A position we value.
The bylaws say reasonable effort be made for a geographic representation and after 2+ weeks of attempts the reasonable standard was met.
Directors on the Board are elected for three-year terms by a vote of the membership (one vote per USAC club in Washington, North Idaho, and Oregon who are present at the meeting), conducted at the annual meeting.
The WSBA bylaws allow additional nominations from any two directors or ten individual members, "by written petition addressed to the Secretary of the corporation at least 10 days prior to the date of the annual meeting." If you have anyone else you would like to consider for a director position, please e-mail the secretary at wsbaresults at yahoo.com.
The Board of Directors elects officers of the WSBA Board. If you are interested in being, or know of someone who is interested in being, an officer, feel free to contact the WSBA secretary. Officer positions are President, Vice President, Secretary, and Treasurer and may be held by individuals who are not members of the Board of Directors.

2019 WSBA numbers will be distributed to teams and individuals in two waves.  Dues for WSBA membership remain $25.
 

• Renew your WSBA membership by December 15, 2018, to receive your number in the first shipment, which will go out starting January 15, 2019.

 

• Renew between December 16, 2018, and January 19, 2019, to receive your number in the second shipment, which will go out starting February 15.

 

• Please check that the mailing address in your USAC account is current to be sure your number will reach you.

 
If your USAC membership is set for auto renewal, a WSBA membership will be added to your purchase for 2019 if you bought your WSBA membership via USAC in 2019.
 
If you manually renew your USAC membership, renew your WSBA membership during the online USA Cycling renewal process by the dates listed above.
 
If you are new to the WSBA and/or USAC, you may join the WSBA when you sign up for a new USAC membership.
 
If you purchased your WSBA membership via PayPal or other methods in 2018, you may purchase your 2019 WSBA membership through USAC or via the link below.  Also use this link if you aren’t joining or renewing with USAC for 2019 or if your USAC account doesn’t show WSBA as your Local Association.
http://www.wsbaracing.org/ membership.html.
 
WSBA race numbers will be sent to each team for members whose USAC accounts indicate membership in that road team.  Team leaders will receive an email confirming the address on file for the team.  Please update team information within the USAC database no later than January 5, 2019, to insure proper delivery of team membership numbers.  Numbers for members without a team affiliation will be mailed to the member’s address in the USAC database.
 
Renewals after January 19
 
Memberships will be processed in the order received and race numbers will likely be received in early March.  For memberships purchased after February, allow at least 3 weeks to receive race numbers.  After June 1, new and renewing members should email joinwsba@gmail.com to indicate membership purchase or the membership may not be processed due to so few new members in this time frame.
 
Numbers returned due to incorrect addresses will be resent after all new memberships are processed. Any member whose numbers are returned for an incorrect address more than one time will be subject to a $5.00 handling fee.  Please verify your address on file with USAC is correct when you renew!
​​