Many of you have been reading the forums on whether or not it should be made mandatory to complete a qualified skills clinic before an upgrade from a category 5. While it isn’t mandatory, it would be good advice to have you take a clinic to help you become a more complete racer. Many of you also missed, because of the weather patterns, the Early Birds in Fremont this past January and didn’t get the chance to work your skill practice.

Now is your chance to hone those racing skills. Do you have the fitness but it doesn’t quite get you to the line because of all the argy-bargy going on around you? How do you get comfortable with all of this pandemonium? By practicing bike handling skills again and again.

What you are going to learn are the fundamentals of any bike race. Cornering, bumping, riding a smooth and consistent pace line, handling yourself in situations like crashes in front of you or a possible wheel over-lap. Then you again will have to go out and practice.

This clinic will be held at the Cal State University East Bay (Hayward) campus on March 22 from 9am until 2pm. Clinic registration is only $105 with a current racing license. If you need a one-day license you can also purchase one at registration. Go to http://www.cyclingsystems.com/clinics.html to register. Once registered, you will be sent the exact location and other pertinent information.

Upgrade points are available upon successful completion: Cat 5 to 4 = 5 race experience points Cat 4 to 3 = 3 points

If you have any questions please feel free to contact me at 415-328-1373 or email alan@cyclingsystems.com.

I look forward to working with all of you.