Here are the answers to some common questions about our club:
Q: Is this just a racing team?
A: No. Although many of the MSU Cycling Club members choose to compete in local and Midwest collegiate races, we are just a group of people who enjoy riding bicycles. It doesn’t matter if you’re fast or slow, experienced or a rookie, as long as you love bikes!
Q: How much does it cost to race?
A: Normally, entry fees for collegiate races are $10 per race. However, MSU Cycling is paying for your entry fees, so it’s free! However, there are still costs associated with traveling to and from the weekend races, such as gas, food, camping/hotel. Generally, figure on $40-70 for a weekend of travel and racing.
Q: Is this a men-only club?
A: No way! Although most of the people in the club happen to be men (which is true across competitive cycling as a whole), we have an active women's division. Past and present women members of the MSU Cycling Club have qualified for collegiate nationals in both road and mountain biking! We ride weekly and practice race and bike-handling skills. Please feel free to contact one of our women's coordinators if you're interested.
Q: When/where are your meetings?
A: We meet on Monday evenings at 8:00 p.m. in room 106 of IM Circle. We also communicate via an e-mail ListServ (sign-up here), and the online forum.
Q: What are the rides like?
A: Depending on the time of year, we may do more road riding (winter/spring) or more mountain biking (fall). Rides can range from relaxed, casual trips down the river trail to a three-hour road hammerfest or a challenging singletrack ride at Burchfield Park. We also do some riding on campus and at BMX parks.
Q: Is cycling a varsity sport at MSU?
A: No, it’s considered a club sport, which means we do not receive funding from the university. While it can get costly to travel and race, it’s not too bad.
Q: What type of non-riding activities do you have?
A: We have at least one team party each year at the end of the fall mountain bike season, and we also enjoy playing bike polo, in which we ride up and down a grassy field swatting at a ball with plastic bats. It’s a blast!
Q: Do I need a $2000 bike to join the club?
A: Nope! Some of us have expensive bikes, but let’s face it, we’re all college students. We dodge traffic on Grand River Ave. just to pick up what might be a quarter! Expensive equipment usually performs a little better, but it doesn’t make you any cooler or faster. As long as you’re out riding, that’s good enough for us. The only thing you do need is a properly certified bike helmet.
Q: Where can I get one of those good-looking MSU cycling jerseys?
A: E-mail the sales guy, Mike Rizzo, at rizzomic@gmail.com. Price is $75 for a shortsleeve jersey and $85 for longsleeve, unless you’re in the club. They’re made by Louis Garneau (www.louisgarneau.com) and are nice and high-quality.