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Comments - What we talk about when we talk about USA Cycling

August 31, 2009

It's true... cycling in this country is a joke. Should have more programs. Tell that to the guys who, in this country, tried to make soccer a national past-time. All of these non-profits are just another place for people like that president to have a great place to hang their hat and make a nice, easy salary. They love to pretend everything they do is in the name of what they supposedly represent... Yeah, right... just follow the money trail to see where the real purpose lies.
- William , Providence, RI

June 09, 2009

I'm a tax accountant. You have to realise a tax return is all about satisfying the tax code and doesn't really give you a picture of the business like public financial statements. That said, with a very quick glance over, I don't see USAC as beeing to greedy anywhere. They spent $3m of $13m just on the insurance each racer receives at a USAC event. $400k compensation for officers isn't bad either. Silicon valley VP's make that in options alone. Non profit doesn't equal work for free.
- rob, mill valley

April 16, 2009

Why won't USAC lift a finger to help bike advocacy? Why do I get a check-off on my registration form to donate to IMBA, but there's nothing for Safe Routes to School, Bike to Work Day, or any of the other road advocacy causes? How about a legal defense fund to help cyclists who have been maimed by drivers? My entreaties to USAC have fallen on deaf ears. The USA will continue to be a backwater for racing unless more is done to support bicycling by the general population. USAC must think it’s an amazing coincidence that Belgians are really good at riding their bikes.
- Mark, Washington DC

February 01, 2009

Not to defend them, but read the return in more detail. I'm not an accountant, but you can see on line 57 that $4 million of the $13 million revenue and asset growth was a donated building going on the books (also shown on line 1e, noncash income). As for the $4 million short term investment assets at the end of the year, they also list $2.7 million in liabilities (which are not itemized in the attached statements). I can only guess that the insurance bills (a $3 million plus item) come in before all the membership dues. And the payroll still has to be paid in the interim. So while the payroll/services ratio still looks way out of whack, they are hardly "stockpiling cash" at the rate you imply. Good discussion though.
- dave, boston

January 31, 2009

Couldn't agree more. And can we also have the designer of the USA Cross skinsuits flogged. Almost as bad as Levi's US National Championship kit.
- Rich, Cincinnati

January 30, 2009

i have to agree with everyone who's writing from OR about one thing (ORBA rocks) but i have to point out, No One knows how to race in Oregon. every race i've done there, with the exception of the big stage races (Hood, Cascade and Elkhorn), has been punctuated with lame, negative, or nonexistent tactics. maybe you should all should get out of that state more often and learn how the rest of the world races. bike racing can be fun!
- bart , not oregon

January 30, 2009

I think I have found the one thing everyone in this thread agrees on, $60 is not unacceptable for a years racing license. What we do want is more bang for our buck. After seeing the surplus USA Cycling had in 2007, why not use a tiny percentage of that money to fund the small (in monetary terms) areas that can return huge rewards...development riding/racing.
- Noah, Little Rock, AR

January 30, 2009

Well said...in the current environment it is even more bothersome that any organization has a surplus....comparatively though $60 bucks is a fair shake! maybe discounts on gear?
- Robert, Babylon

January 29, 2009

Truthteller, I don't know where you did your research but your findings need some editing. Like someone already mentioned, CC has put on all of the above (or below in this case), Road Races, Crits, and Cross. I have seen their name on T-shirts for MTB races and they have given away generous amounts of $ and product at races. And it's true, all employees get reimbursed for bike races, no questions asked. Moving on, I was one of those members chosen for MTB worlds a few years ago. But just a month before the race USA Cycling told me this: Postmark a $1,300 check in the next ten days or loose your racing license for the next calendar year. True story, and I wasn't the only rider who got that letter. We (USA) continue to have better talent and resources than most of the world but continue to suffer at the biggest races because athletes must use every ounce of energy just making it there. Some riders can use the help of their primary trade team to make the event, but most young riders are still trying to earn that benefit with the "help" of USA Cycling.
- Noah, Little Rock, AR

January 29, 2009

WTF? $3-4million in the bank and ONLY 100K given away in grants? WTF R.Sachs has the very determined and always aggresive Will Dugan, UVM student. He is not monied and needed to raise $3000 to accept USA Cycling's invite to go to Belgium. He's there but not with the kind of support the USAC membership thinks it is giving its U23 team.
- Paul, Willioamstown MA

January 29, 2009

OBRA was a labor of love for so many people a couple of decades ago, and look at how it's grown! I'm sure if you contacted the right people they would be willing to help provide experienced advice to help you provide yoru own regional body.
- Quenton , Portland, OR!

January 29, 2009

The best thing about a blog is that everyone is always right. You get to read bunches of "opinions" and at the end of the "exchange of ideas" we all walk away confident in the knowledge that we got our point across. Is it wrong that USCF stockpiles huge amounts of cash while junior riders have to pay their own way to compete at the highest levels? Sure! Is BMX great for the sport? Sure! Is $60 a lot to pay for a racing license?....hmm, I'll have to check with my new Willier Cento Uno and it's Campy Super Record 11 speed gruppo to see about that one!
- Steve, Miami

January 29, 2009

Just so Mr. "Truthteller" knows......Employees of CC get reimbursed for all race fees during the year. Does your boss do that for you? Racing of all disciplines get taken and promoted VERY seriously here and there have been events put on by our future USAC board members. BTW, if you think there's no pain in BMX, you're not doing it right!
- Chinmullet Dave, NLR, Ar.

January 28, 2009

the president of usa cycling gets 240,000 a year plus benifits. you can see all of their numbers on their website, they are non-profit so they have to show us. lets make some noise about this bullshit non-profit that is taking my money and NOT serving my,or our needs!
- dfL brad, san francisco

January 28, 2009

OBRA is great. Except we are STILL using cones as course markers for cyclocross races.
- cyclocrosscurmudgeon, Portland, Oregon

January 28, 2009

Have some american cheese with that whine. I find it amazing CC complains about not enough grass roots support when they apparently do nothing for the sport, locally or otherwise ($15. gift cards don't count). You'd think with their brilliant minds, awesome organization, and vast resource$ they'd at least put on a road race, crit series, or their fave, a cross series. No, just point fingers. FYI, BMX is the best way to get kids riding. News flash- kids don't like pain. BMX is short, sweet and fun, controlled and safe. I am glad to pay my $60(30 for juniors) for a license and race my brains out all year with great service. Your product has nothing to do with racing, only snobbery. I hereby nominate you to run for a position on the board of USAC.
- truthteller, asheville, nc

January 28, 2009

I do agree that there should be more money to support upcoming athletes. However USACycling does have some programs for very elite cyclits under Podium programs. Which applies to a less than 1% of member if that based on the criteria. But it is something. Oh and that BMX Gate if you looked at the Tax Return was a donated item to USACycling who donated it the Olympic Committee. I agree that USACycling should probably at the end of the year do a presentation of what contributions it has done for cycling. That could be the camps, programs they put on and send that to the members. They currently send emails during the year and this could be their summary of benifits whether they are monetary or not.
- Jeff, Mikwaukee, WI

January 28, 2009

i am very, very VERY pleased to report that as a result of a what seemed like an overnight effort spanning 2-3 weeks, we were able to raise enough money so that our worlds bound rider, will dugan, would be completely debt free after his eurocross camp trip in december and his soujourn to holland this week. we have loyal and generous fans and supporters and thank them profusely. i hope the others who will be dressing up as american flags had the same good fortune with their local fundraising efforts. 'cross fucking rules atmo.
- Richard Sachs, Chester, CT

January 28, 2009

who wants to bet this is all just one big Ponzi scheme?
- CJ, New York, NY

January 28, 2009

My son is one of those 4 unfunded U23 racers and yes, this situation is extreemly frustrating. He's honored to be racing for his country but the expense to do so is mind-boggling.
- Fran, Centennial

January 28, 2009

This is not a new phenomenon to cycling or non-profits. The first executive director of the USCF (Dave Prouty) wrote a book in the late '80's called "In Spite of Us". It outlined many of the things you so aptly point out. So, after 30 years, not much has changed. That is unfortunate. Like all good Americans, I vote with my checkbook. That is why I ceased paying for a license years ago even though I no longer race--as the money is not being spent to advance cycling.
- Al, Monterey, CA

January 27, 2009

Keep on pushing this issue. Look at the lack of support Tour of Georgia gets and Medalist has to fold up and cancel the event. This is a perfect situation where USA Cycling could provide a loan/grant/funding to a professional marketing and sales company to secure funding. To have 1 of 5 guys sponsored is maddening.How can the largest and richest country in the world develop top talent without proper financial backing. Mountain Bike has for too long been abandon by US Cycling.Their heads are up their a$$es with poor hirings, and crappy marketing support for NORBA. I mean has NORBA really meant anything in the last few years? I met Steve Johnson a couple of years ago and neither he nor Sean Petty impressed me. They complained about the lack of sponsorship. Caring more about remembering the good old days of Korbel. Saying they did all these great events for the media and the riders. But have they done much since the 80's? It would piss most of your customers and readers to realize that Johnson and Petty care more about the nice hotel they stay at for the Worlds then developing the top talent in the US. The primary driver in USCycling is Thom Weisel. His appointments - Jim Ochowicz, Johnson and others continues to hamper outsiders from changing the organization for the better. He did the same to US Skiing when he and Steve Johnson ran that. Small teams no financial support and weak medal results. So here are steps for positive change: 1. Fire Steve Johnson, Sean Petty and Throw off the board Thom Weisel and Jim O. 2. Appoint a USA Racing Czar similar to the way Australia did - results a dedicated program to take top talent and get them to Europe fully supported. 3. Establish a Goal NOW for future events: "10 Medals for the 2012 Olympic Games", Top 3 Podium at Cross Worlds. 4. Establish a funded junior development program with quarterly reporting. 5. Hire a Professional Sales and Marketing Team (IMG for example) to represent US Cycling in all the big media cities (NY, LA, Chicago) with the sole purpose on establishing events and sponsorships to further grow the sport. 6. Use this excess cash to purchase air time for a US cycling TV show that is aired weekly on Versus or another network. (Sponsorship and advertising sold on this program could be used to pay for more junior and elite racing programs.) - Now is the time, networks are begging for content. Change needs to happen at the top. What is US Cycling's Goals?
- US Pro Vet, Greenville, SC

January 27, 2009

I say USA Cycling needs to really look at how they spend our monies. Remember USA cycling. WE MAKE YOU. If we quit being members most of your funds go away. Your programs should pay all the basic expenses of the USA teams (cyclocross as an example) especially at world competitions. You might rethink how you spen.
- Ron, Portland, OR

January 27, 2009

I am so glad i live in Oregon now. OBRA blows USCF out of the water. The races are safe, simple and more or less inexpensive. When i first started racing my USCF fee was $25 and it has gone up every year. USCF is a joke , and i was glad not to give them my wifes or my money this year. Thanks OBRA.
- Scott, Eugene

January 27, 2009

It's up to the industry to join forces with the competitors to change this. I own a company and we pay for everything out of pocket. We have even paid for other riders fees to go to the worlds that are not on our own teams... we all want this cycling thing to work, apparently more than USA Cycling does...
- Dave, Berkeley, CA

January 27, 2009

I thought a BMX Gate was like Watergate on bikes. BMX rocks and needs more funding, not less. Many Americans shrug off mention of road racing. Tell teh same folks they can race on jumps and berms and they are all over it.
- Eric, Portland OR

January 27, 2009

Thanks so much for the mention! Just as a comparison- our annual budget is less than $200,000. That includes- everything. Yet we have the highest per capita number of racers. What makes us different? It's really our community. I'm lucky to have a lot of wonderful and committed people. Candi and Mike did a fantastic job shaping the organization. My focus will always be on the grassroots- and that's why I've forged a very strong relationship with the Bicycle Transportation Alliance. The safer it is to ride, the more people that will ride bikes. And the more people that are on bikes, the more that people will race. You have more people racing- the more talent that will come from that pool. It's a great big pyramid. LOL! We've gotten a lot of requests for opening up in other states and from a lot of promoters. But that's a can of worms I won't open. ;)
- Kenji, Salem, OR

January 27, 2009

Leave the BMX gate alone. Do you realize how many kids start racing BMX at a young age and continue into adulthood and branch out into other areas of cycling? I'm one of them, and it's about time USA Cycling started showing some love to the "black sheep". With that kind of revenue, there should be enough love for everyone. The BMX tracks have enough battles on their hands without having to fight sanctioning bodies as well. I agree with the rest, although I might add that the team sponsor's pick up the BMX'ers entry fees and most of their travel expenses......NOT the sanctioning body.
- Dave, NLR, Ar.

January 27, 2009

This article dates back to 2005 but details the corruption and cronyism at the core of USA Cycling and how it fails to serve the needs of it's thousands of dues paying members: http://www.sfweekly.com/2005-09-07/news/tour-de-farce/1
- Chuck, Memphis

January 26, 2009

Well said. This is really endemic of nonprofits everywhere - a lot of overhead, very little direct service. I can safely say that the only thing USA Cycling has ever done for me is tell me how poorly i did last season (thanks y'all), and to screw things up in 2004 so as to provide a nice plot line for Offroad to Athens.
- wadeferd, Austin, Texas

January 26, 2009

I will completely agree that USA Cycling spends it's money or does not spend it's money - in all the wrong places. I am bitter because as a u23 doing well as a cat 2 I had to investigate how to get into any of the development camps. After finding out I could never get the people in charge to call me back or to tell me how I qualified for these camps. Basically it seemed as though you were either in the right circle or not and thus magically was told about development camps to get into various talent pools. We could take a que from Australia on this one I think and there development setup.
- Joe, New England

January 26, 2009

Funny, i just went to register today and was wondering why it had to be so expensive. Dang now i can't afford to blow all my cash on zipp's. I grew up cycling, and never new cycling was overcome by the greedy, until of course mom and dad stopped buying my huffy's and i had to spring for my own bikes.
- joe, chicopee, ma

January 26, 2009

Amen! USA Cycling is an absolutely pathetic example of sports governance. No transparency to members, high fees, they seem only interested in maintaining their power rather than growing the sport. Seems a lot like the AAU and Track and Field during the '60's and '70s. I wrote about it (and a Pro solution) not too long ago:http://raceoregon.blogspot.com/2008/12/how-to-save-american-cycling.html But really: Not selecting Horner for the Olympics and Worlds. Not selecting Tom Peterson for U23 Worlds. Flying officials all over the country to make sure bike measurements are UCI legal but having NO DRUG TESTING AT NRC RACES!!!! You have no idea how lucky we are in Oregon, OBRA is great!
- Joe, Portland