USA Cycling license: Why?

[zerordl]

I just paid the $60 for my mandatory USA Cycling license, and couldn't help but wonder what benefits I receive from it.

Do any of you race veterans, promoters, or friends of promoters know why so many race organizers require participants to hold these licenses? I get USA Cycling's involvement at the Olympic and pro levels, but at the amateur level?

Does USA Cycling help promoters insure events or something? Is there some behind the scenes reason their involvement is needed? And, if so, how do promoters like Donny at Southridge bypass them?

[BrewMaster]

It's right there on their website:

http://www.usacycling.org/news/user/story.php?id=2589

It probably helps offset the expenses of running organization, advocacy, and putting on events. Nothing is free.

[Jslow]

It helps pay for the dope and the doctors the national team needs... you wanted a racing license thought you knew?

[D. Diamond]

I believe one benefit is that if you do a race that's run through USA Cycling you are covered through their insurance for a certain amount in case you are injured.
I am guessing that the promoter of the event is also covered with legal insurance in case someone should sue.

[zerordl]

Ha. Thanks, but not exactly what I meant by "benefits." I hope race promoters aren't requiring us to buy USA Cycling licenses just so we don't miss out on the opportunity for a 10 percent discount on wind tunnel testing sessions in Colorado.

Again, I suspect maybe it's an insurance issue, but then I wonder how the promoters like Donny do without it.

And of course nothing is free. That's what entry fees are for. I want to know what service USA Cycling provides in exchange for what it collects from us.

Originally Posted by BrewMaster

It's right there on their website:

http://www.usacycling.org/news/user/story.php?id=2589

It probably helps offset the expenses of running organization, advocacy, and putting on events. Nothing is free.

[denmother]

Don Jackson has his own source for insurance and therefore no longer needs to turn to USAC for events!!!

[denmother]

RIDER ACCIDENT POLICY

The rider accident policy provides excess coverage for USA Cycling licensed riders for dates specified on the permit application when they:

1. Participate in a USA Cycling permitted event

2. Participate in training programs of USA Cycling under the direct supervision of the USA Cycling staff
3. Notify a race official about their accident when it happens, even if they do not think they are badly injured;
4. Receive medical care and treatment within 30 days of the covered accident; and

5. File an accident claim form with the insurance company within 60 days.

The benefit provisions are as follows:

Medical Expense (maximum) $25,000*

Accidental Death and Dismemberment $1,000

*Maximum benefit of $500 for Dental, Orthopedic, Physical Therapy and Transportation.

Our 2008 policy provides coverage as follows:

1. It is excess coverage

2. There is a $1,000 deductible per accident if the rider has primary coverage and $5,000 deductible per accident if the rider does not have primary coverage.

Policy exclusions:

Rider Accident Insurance does not apply to loss caused by or resulting from:

1. An Insured Person who is in, entering or exiting any aircraft owned, operated or leased by USA Cycling;
2. An Insured Person acting or training as a pilot or crew member;
3. Emotional trauma, mental or physical illness, disease, pregnancy, childbirth or miscarriage, bacterial or viral infection, or bodily malfunctions;
4. Suicide, attempted suicide, or self-inflicted injuries; or
5. Declared or undeclared war.

[sdyeti]

USAC used to give us bike vouchers for flying...oh yeah, and it was through United Airlines which always had the most expensive flights. We never used the vouchers......

Hmmm...still trying to think of other benefits.....hmmmmm...

[BrewMaster]

Denmother pasted it, but at the bottom of the link I posted, there is a blurb about insurance at USAC events.

[Pilas]

If you want to race Expert, you need a license.
If you are doing Sport or Beginner, you can buy a one day license for $5. If you are planning on doing more than 12 races, I guess it saves you $.
And now, the license is also good for CX races.

[zerordl]

Good info. Thanks.

I guess the answer I'm really after, and haven't heard yet due to my poorly worded questions, is why do some promoters choose to affiliate themselves with USAC and require the extra expense of participants?

Originally Posted by BrewMaster

Denmother pasted it, but at the bottom of the link I posted, there is a blurb about insurance at USAC events.

[denmother]

Originally Posted by zerordl

Good info. Thanks.

I guess the answer I'm really after, and haven't heard yet due to my poorly worded questions, is why do some promoters choose to affiliate themselves with USAC and require the extra expense of participants?

We are very lucky that Donny has the ability to procure his own insurance. Maybe it is because he has been holding races at Southridge for 16 years and has the contacts to be able to pull it off.

[D. Diamond]

Originally Posted by denmother

We are very lucky that Donny has the ability to procure his own insurance. Maybe it is because he has been holding races at Southridge for 16 years and has the contacts to be able to pull it off.

+1
We're lucky to have Donny. I've done a lot of racing in a lot of (domestic) locations the last few years and Don is one of the most professional promoters I've talked with.
If you have a question or concern he'll most likely be glad to explain things to you provided that you're patient and wait for him to get a minute (it could take a while if he's in the middle of running multiple races).

This is a cut above most other promoters I've dealt with.

Also, the fees are relatively low at his races, probably due to the fact that the location doesn't change and SRC doesn't need to pay travel expenses fo it's employees.
USAC also provides timing equipment, SRC does it's own timing.

[2wheel_lee]

Originally Posted by denmother

RIDER ACCIDENT POLICY

Policy exclusions:

Rider Accident Insurance does not apply to loss caused by or resulting from:
4. Suicide, attempted suicide, or self-inflicted injuries; or

Um...I mean really, whose fault is it if I crash?


In regards to Donny, if there are any former desert moto racers or jet ski racers, Donny is probably the equivalent to Lou Peralta of Baja Promotions. Anybody know him?

[Jman]

I've been totally amazed at the smoothness of the Fontana races. Even during the first one when 4x went off late. I think its awesome that he has some volunteers and Donny seems to be everywhere at once. It really took the 'scare' factor out of my first race.

[Jslow]

Originally Posted by Pilas

If you want to race Expert, you need a license.
If you are doing Sport or Beginner, you can buy a one day license for $5. If you are planning on doing more than 12 races, I guess it saves you $.
And now, the license is also good for CX races.

I may be wrong but I think you are referring to a norba license... usa cycling is road racing no? watch out for the headbut!

[zerordl]

Yes, Southridge is great. Donny does a tremendous job.

His series isn't unlike Rim Nordic in terms of quality. Both have great staffs and terrific courses.

Yet RN makes racers buy the USAC license. As a participant, it's extra $, and I don't see USAC doing anything to make Rim Nordic any better, safer, more professional or fun than Southridge. So what am I missing?

And isn't RN a ski area during the winter? They, too, must be able to afford their own insurance. So it can't really be about that.

[allison]

Originally Posted by Jslow

I may be wrong but I think you are referring to a norba license... usa cycling is road racing no? watch out for the headbut!

There is no NORBA anymore. It's all USA Cycling.

[denmother]

USA Cycling decided a few years back to discontinue using the NORBA acronym.

They sanction Road, Mountain, Track, Cyclocross and BMX racing.

[Jslow]

wow shows I've been outta the loop of racin for a while eh? No Norba... ha.

Yea I agree that promoters could get together and grab coverage for say 10 events? What do they do for 12/24 hrs of temecula? could that group and RN and southridge all buy the same policy and potentially save themselves money?

Insurance is a sticky situation... but I agree promoters need it... usa cycling means they needn't go out and purchase their own policy and put up money they haven't recieved before hand... Usa cycling probally makes it easier on the promoter is what I guess I'm saying.

I will say this;putting on a race requires tons of work. If a promoter needs us to buy a one day license for 5 bucks that seems like a deal so they can have their back covered and keep giving the rideres what they want. If you are racing for prizes/money then you alread have a yearly license so no biggie. If you are showing up for some fun that 5 bucks means if you don't have your own coverage... you do now.
Maybe I'm way wrong.