January 12th, 2013 Jacksonville, FL
Florida Bicycle Racing Association’s new Cat 5 development program was kicked off in Jacksonville last weekend courtesy of VeloBrew and Endurofit with a Beginners Clinic for Cat 5 and Women racers. Endurofit Coach Vincent Cook facilitated a clinic to a group of over 22 riders ranging in ages from 8 to 68.
Jacksonville and its surrounding areas have some excellent training locations and VeloBrew has access to the Florida State College Cecil Center training grounds; nestled inside the campus is a beautiful 1 mile loop. Blessed with blue skies and temps in the 70’s, Vince focused on basic bike handling, pack etiquette, cornering and proper race warm up. Afterwards, VeloBrew held its first official training race of the year in North Florida.
One of FBRA’s main initiatives for 2013 is to increase new rider recruitment through similar camps. “With participation dropping year after year, FBRA is taking a business approach through these camps,” said Jared Zimlin, newly elected President of FBRA. “If you look at any business, you naturally have attrition. Similarly, Florida racing has attrition when members move or have other life situations that keep them from racing. The best way to keep our state healthy with fuller fields is to restock the field with excited fresh talent who will move up through the ranks to become the next Category, Masters and Women’s leaders.”
The concept is to create an inviting safe atmosphere for local club riders who may have an interest in racing, to learn. Florida has over 500 Category 5 racers. Many times new racers show up, have a poor experience and never return, opting for the club. These camps are designed to help those riders learn some basic racing tips, practice with instruction from a USAC coach, then walk them through the process of getting a license and what to expect at their first race. “If we show them a little bit of what to expect and make our sport accessible, we have a greater chance at seeing those riders return for a second race and more,” said Zimlin.
“It was great fun and it is awesome to see such a variety of ages”, said Coach Vincent Cook. “I am blown away by the talent of the young rider; they are very attentive and full of energy. Cycling is one of those sports where etiquette and skills aren’t always learned on a group ride. A lot of it is learned over a long period of time and mostly by accident. By getting riders together outside of the manic group ride we can take the necessary time to focus on the basics.”
Endurofit is working with the FBRA to increase Cat 5 and Women participation in Florida racing. By having beginner clinics across the state we are looking to make racing more fun. “Racing is a social thing” Vince was quoted as saying, “If we can get new riders to attend and they have an enjoyable experience chances are they will stick with it”. The Cat 5 race was held without incident and it was won by a 3 man breakaway. “I was in the pack encouraging riders to take chances and race aggressively. I told one rider to go up the road and he attacked and was joined by two other riders. Nothing ventured, nothing gained I told them.”
Look for more Cat 5 and Women beginner racing clinics around the state of Florida in the next few months. Endurofit is working with Central Florida teams Gearlink Racing and Synergy to bring another clinic to Tampa in late March.
If you are interested in having a Cat 5 clinic in your area to tap into the rich resource of club riders anxious to make the next step, email FBRA at or Vincent Cook at
