Hello Local Associations!

I wanted to share the details around the upcoming Race Mechanics Clinic we will be hosting in Tucson, AZ. Please share with your community!

If you have any questions, let me know.

Thanks,

Bonnie

From: Mechanics mechanics@usacycling.org
Date: Thursday, December 28, 2023 at 5:08 PM
To:
Subject: 2024 USA Cycling Race Mechanics Clinic - Registration Information

Thank you for your interest in attending the 2024 USA Cycling Race Mechanics Clinic presented by Elite Racing Service (ERS)¹, Feedback Sports², and Visit Tucson Sports³. We are excited to bring this program back to our community.

The 2024 edition will be held February 19 – 22 in Oracle, AZ, about 1.2 hours north of Tucson, between two stage races – Valley of the Sun and Tucson Bicycle Classic. Your participation in this course assumes you have some experience as a mechanic. We will not be teaching skills on how to be a mechanic, but rather get you ready to step into the role of a race mechanic during an event or working for a team.

What:                   USA Cycling Race Mechanics Clinic

When:                  February 19-22, 2024 (starts Monday at 5 PM)

Where:                 YMCA Triangle Y Ranch Camp

34434 S Y Camp Rd

                                Oracle, AZ 85623

Cost:      $925 (includes lodging, meals, and airport transportation if needed)

Included:

Clinic instructions by race mechanics with national and international experience.

USA Cycling Category 4 Mechanics license upon successful completion of the course.

Lodging and meals provided at YMCA Triangle Y Ranch Camp.

Transportation to/from Tucson International Airport (based on space availability).

Class Size: We have a maximum of 60 students for the course.

Registration Deadline: Register using this link on BikeReg, no later than Friday, January 26 at 5 PM Mountain Time.

Training will be three full days, with an initial session held on Monday, February 19 at 5 PM. You will learn from the some of the most experienced mechanics in the US, as they dive into their specialties and share their experiences throughout the curriculum. At the end of the course, attendees will receive a certificate of completion, a USA Cycling Category 4 Mechanics license, and additional knowledge to increase opportunities to work as a mechanic in the future. Our goal is to give you the personalized attention you need to get the most value out of your time.

CORE SUBJECTS

General overview.

UCI Regulations for Time Trial bikes

Caravan (driving and protocols)

The Race Team Mechanic

Neutral Support Service (including its role with race officials and the caravans)

Mountain Bike Racing

Cyclocross Racing

Mass-start Centuries and Fondos

Rise of Gravel

Para-cycling

CORE PRACTICES

Core skills that any race mechanic must understand and perform to race standards.

Modern Race Technologies (electronic shifting, disc brakes, tubular/tubeless)

Flat Tires, Wheel Swap, and Bike Swaps (road races, criterium and cyclo-cross) 

Professionally Bicycle Washing and Inspection

The Business of Neutral Service (programs, equipment, insurance, sponsors + staff)

INSTRUCTORS

Mark Niemiec

Mike Wilson

Vincent Gee

Michael Berry

Matthew Fallon

Steve Donovan

Paul Reardon

Bonnie Walker, USAC Technical Director

ROOM AND BOARD

The course will be held at the Triangle Y Ranch Camp, which is part of the YMCA of Southern Arizona. Room and board will be provided as part of your registration fee. We will receive breakfast, lunch, and dinner every day, starting with dinner on Monday evening through breakfast on Friday morning. Breakfast will be something simple, lunch and dinner will be buffet or family style, including a salad bar. Lodging is for 4 nights starting Monday, with check-in starting at 3 PM and checkout on Friday at 8 AM. You will be sharing rooms, so please plan accordingly. This isn’t the Marriott, but rather a camp. You will need to bring your own bedding, towels, and whatever you need to feel comfortable. Additional details will be sent to those who register for the course. The instructors will also be staying here providing additional time to ask questions, tell war stories, and build camaraderie with other mechanics. One thing to keep in mind, alcohol and drugs of any kind are strictly prohibited.

TRAVEL

If you are flying, we will provide round-trip travel from the Tucson International Airport (TUS) to the Triangle Y Ranch Camp on Monday leaving the airport at 2:30 PM and back to the airport on Friday leaving the Ranch no later than 8:00 AM. Please plan your flights accordingly.

If you are driving or renting a car, please plan on arriving between 3:00 PM – 4:30 PM on Monday. The first course session will begin at 5:00 PM.

When registering, please be sure to indicate if you will need transportation to/from the airport so we can plan accordingly.

¹Elite Racing Service (ERS) is North America's only UCI World and Pro Tour level neutral race support service. ERS specializes in complex bicycle race/ride event services and support. 

ERS is factory-backed by Shimano and Look Cycle with additional sponsorship from Feedback Sports, Athlos, and Thule for race/ride support services. 

Elite also provides bicycle race mechanic apprenticeships and licensure training for USA Cycling (the governing body of bicycle sports in the United States).

In addition to racing and training, ERS regularly adapts their professional race support services for fund-raising rides and national charities to provide the ultimate white-glove, vip donor/fundraiser/rider event experience. Elite specializes in anticipating and facilitating rider’s, their equipment + transit, pre-event tuning, in-ride support and successfully completing their dream rides. 

²Feedback Sports offers a full line of professional grade bicycle repair stands, precision bike tools, elegant bicycle storage products and innovative cycling training hardware. 

³Visit Tucson Sports is the first place to start when considering southern Arizona for your next event. As the official tourism marketing organization for Pima County, City of Tucson, and the Town of Oro Valley, our number one goal is to help you build a successful event.

Visit Tucson partners with more than 500 businesses around the region making it easy for us to provide a turn-key experience from the moment your team or group arrives. From facilities to accommodations to fun things to do while in town, we can provide the information and assistance you need. Our local community is always ready for new and exciting events and will welcome your participants, families, and fans with the hospitality Tucson is known for.

The wide variety of facilities that can be utilized for your event will allow for expanding an event experience on the field of play and beyond. And the growing list of signature sporting events that we already host on an annual basis proves that we have the winning formula to take your event to the next level.

Best regards,

Bonnie