Now that the Dick Lane Velodrome operations are in full swing, its time for the FM Track Team to coalesce:
Are you interested in joining a racing team with a keen focus on track-racing, fixed gear tomfoolery, the East Point MARTA Station, and OZ Pizza-poured draft beers? Do you want to make your repeated left hand turns with the safe, secure knowledge that one of your teammates is nearby, ready for a hipster shake n' bake? Do you want to join a team with a commitment to promoting the Dick Lane Velodrome? Join the FM Track Team!
So far the confirmed team members are Kurt Rampton, Austin Crenshaw, Donald Panda, and Greg Rothmeier. I know there are others out there that have expressed interest in joining but I have forgotten to get wit' ya. Please post in this thread if you are interested in joining and I will forward the details and requirements in an e-mail. While we assemble the team, please make sure you have satisfied these initial requirements:
- Get DLV Certified
- Earn 84 points in Tuesday night beginner races to advance to Wednesday Night Racing
- Get an official FM Jersey
the wimmens.
I'm a bit confused about what is expected out of us beginning women since I was told to race with the women on Tuesday nights instead of the beginners. How might this also pertain to the official FM track team? I mean, I can earn my 84 points (in theory) in those races. Is that equivalent?
Good question!
My girlfriend is not around to hit me on the head for leaving out of my thoughts the awesome women's track racers.
Yes, women can earn points towards riding on Wednesday nights in the women's races.
All women are of course encouraged to join the FM Track Race Team, too.
To clarify, you can join the FM Team before you reach the points requirement, we just want everyone to be working towards that goal so that we can eventually race together on Wednesday nights.
Once they on the FM Track Race Team, and they have earned enough points, ladies can chose whether they prefer to race with the women on Tuesdays, or Co-Eds on Wednesdays, or any combination. Its really about finding which night provides the best challenge for your riding level. Ultimately, you will benefit from joining the FM Team in three ways:
1. Registration fees will be covered
2. Lifelong bonds will be formed (Brovalent Bonds)
2. You will have teammates out there on the track with you, ready to work with you and help each-other win.
Now the later is contingent on having plenty of teammates in your category. So the ladies have a choice: recruit like-minded ladies to the FM race team and get busy on Tuesday nights, or join your hairy-legged brothers on Wednesday nights.
Either way, its a win win.
Jersey
I'm a little low on funds right now, but I'll go over to No Brakes and see if they still have my size jersey. Maybe I can work out a little pay half now and they hold it until I have the rest of the money kinda deal.
I hope your size isnt small!
They are out.
not good.
Well I am a small, but I can see how the medium fits.
.
I'm 5'10", 135# and the medium fits. I'll probably try to shrink the bottom a bit.
Let me know how that goes
.
i tried on gong's medium and
i tried on gong's medium and it fits a little looser than i'd like, but it'll work fine. I'll probably also try to shrink it a smidgen when i get it. we'll see.
i'll be back in the saddle
i'll be back in the saddle post-defense, and post surgery recovery time (another 3 weeks minimum). i'm interested.
I believe that I can go straight to Wednesday night riding since I raced last season. Has anyone heard differently?
I think that is safe to assume
Looking forward to having you on the team!
Don't forget to get a jersey! Their goin' quick!
Beginner squad?
I could theoretically start on Wednesdays but from what I've read and who I've spoken to, I think I'd be better off on the Tuesday beginner races for a bit. (This also conflicts less with my band rehearsals.) I'd be interested in spearheading an FM beginner night squad if there's enough interest. (However, I'm pretty opposed to putting embroidered billboards all over my pretty, new jerseys.)
pay your own entry fees and
pay your own entry fees and don't enjoy whatever other benifits come from team FM, still race wearing the FM jersey and work with other FMers to win races, and you don't need to wear sponsors logos.
But if you want to be "on the team", all the benefits of it come with the few responsibilities.
It may be moot
I don't really see squeezing racing into my life anytime soon. I may just have to content myself with being a Team FM poseur.
how about...
club team?
Please elaborate
.
Club teams get to sport the
Club teams get to sport the kit and participate in the parties and fund raisers, but don't actually race with the team and don't always get the same sponsor discounts. For example, most of the time when you see someone with an Aaron's kit, they are probably part of the club team, while there is also an Aaron's race team. Sorella also has a club team and a race team. You could call up and get an Aaron's kit today and be part of their club team. And if you weren't a man, you could call up Sorella and get their kit and be on their club team.
I have seen Mike M. wearing
I have seen Mike M. wearing Sorella kit (on a Halloween Ride).
re embroidery and race team benefits and club team
Ultimately, having a race team benefits the Faster Mustache group as a whole in several ways. By raising funds and sponsors we are able to afford amenities that the group as a whole will enjoy: A shaded tent to pop up at events, wool jerseys, etc. Plus having a regularly training and competing race team we have an experienced squad capable of mentoring beginning riders. Finally, we can afford to be more involved and supportive of the cycling community like DLV, SORBA, etc - giving all FM riders more respect and credibility from the big dogs.
All Faster Mustache cyclists are welcome to enjoy these benefits regardless of race team affiliation or embroidered patch wearing, etc. I personally respect anyones choice not to rock the embroidered patches - you should not feel obligated to act like a billboard.
I also hope that everyone understands and respects our choice to acquire sponsors, and trusts that we will maintain our commitment to FM and the community and utilize these new funds for the greater good.
Those riders that chose to join the race team (for which there are a list of commitments and obligations) will enjoy the ability to race in many events without the burdens of registration fees.
*Edit* AND, if you want to help support these efforts and keep us relatively independent of sponsor obligations, you can make a small donation via the Google Checkout link on the front page =)
I appreciate your remarks
because to be honest, it appears that most of the recent FM discussions are centered around competitive, race oriented teams sports. I have no problem if that is what you are into; just sayin' that it is starting to seem more like your typical testosterone-fueled jock-fest website.
Ya'll seem to be having a really good time, so I wish you luck.
we're just gettin the ball
we're just gettin the ball rolling and i've been using some front page space for it. it'll settle back into being just something else FM does once it's in full swing!
FYI...
We are fueled less by testosterone than by Coors Light.
well with the new flow vent...
...or chug gutter, its real easy to be fueled by coors light.
re: registration fees
And just in case you didn't know and were wondering, registration fees for these races ranges from $25-$100 PER PERSON PER RACE!! Raising funds is a necessity.
Makes sense
I think having an FM race team is fabulous. Having experienced riders to teach n00bs, earning credit with organizations like DLV and SORBA and earning overall increased legitimacy are not bad things. Sounds like FM's growing up a little bit. In light of all of this, I think it's important to stay true to our roots. While the benefits of courting sponsors to ease the financial burdens of racing and providing the team with amenities for racing is very attractive, it's my hope that the race team is selective about which organizations it chooses to advertise for. (I think my second biggest objection to sponsors, after cluttering my awesome new jerseys up with other people's logos, would be having to advertise for a business, product or service that I wouldn't personally endorse.) Furthermore, I sincerely hope that FM members see the importance of ponying up a little of their hard-earned to keep the FM team as independent as possible. I think it's FM's independence and DIY ethic that sets it apart. I'd hate to see that fall by the wayside. And yes, I'm putting my money where my mouth is. I'll be hitting that google check-out button today as soon as I get to a secure computer.
One other thing to consider: if FM is taking these steps to legitimize itself, how are we going to reconcile this newfound legitimacy with a group of people who host a yearly 24-hour urban relay?
talk to me/someone over a
talk to me/someone over a beer sometime.
1. we're soliciting sponsors that we like. think companies we work for, bike shops, doctors that fix us, etc.
2. nothing is non-legitimate about a 24 hour urban relay! and it's doesn't really have anything to do with the official team.