A message re: enforcement of rule 1.2.019 by UCI / USA Cycling
April 7, 2013 in News
Marathon Crash Race and Trimble Racing's Red Hood Crit. Both are races that are doing something sanctioned racing argue-ably hadn't done in years... draw new riders and new audiences to cycling. That fact makes this move to bar participation in our events come off as arrogant and fearful. Declaring the ability to levy fines on sanctioned riders who participate in our races, read: making money off events that other's organize?
That's gangster.
As the organizer of one of the largest unsanctioned bike races in the world, I admit, I personally have never raced in a sanctioned event and probably never will, the process seems a bit too cumbersome for me the casual racer. Yet this certainly doesn't merit dismissal by your organization. In fact, I have spent the last 9 years of my life riding week after week with riders of all ages backgrounds and abilities through group bike rides and especially through our Monday night fast paced "Hustle Ride," learning, teaching, coaching and encouraging literally thousands of riders to get better at navigating the dangers of live traffic - and having a blast doing it. I've seen completely new riders come to rides - often on frankensteined co-op built bikes - get dropped, come back, get strong, race our races and get completely hyped on bikes.
Lucky for you and USA Cycling this is only the beginning.
I would like to introduce you to Wolves like Beatriz Rodriguez, a rider who cut her riding teeth with our ride, developed her skills, won Dog Tags (our most coveted prize) in our races and then went on to score a national championship in your races. Nothing got the people talking like when she returned last summer to claim another set of Dog Tags in our Midnight Drag Race and then again returned to compete in the Marathon Crash Race to battle it out with 4000 other riders.
And now, your organizations are threatening to bar her and others like her from continued participation in the community?
She was our hero before she was yours.
Furthermore, I want you to consider guys like John "the Roadie" Gabriel, a cocky SOB who actually came from sanctioned racing to ride with us every week, in traffic, and push our crew to new limits. People see him show up to rides in his 3 time CA state champion kit and get inspired. If you had the ability to enforce your rules 3-4 years ago, would he be riding and racing with us? Knowing JTR the answer is an emphatic fuck yes, but still... Thankfully, that was never a question and looking forward, it shouldn't ever be a question. Riders are already talking about pseudonyms and other methods of hiding from your view - we will do what we can to make sure they escape fines or penalties until USA Cycling comes to it's senses and embraces what we are doing.
Indeed, as our East Coast brother David Trimble voiced earlier, the fall of pro-cycling was one of the best things to happen for us... but if you think about it, it was good for everyone including you and your organization. As David extended an invitation, so do I... Ignore the UCI rules and realize what grass roots race events like ours are doing for the sport as a whole - growing it.
Don "Roadblock" Ward
Race Director
Wolfpack Hustle: The Unified Title Series
Open letter to
Steve Johnson, President of USA Cycling
210 USA Cycling Point, Suite 100
Colorado Springs, CO 80919
Mr. Johnson
Recently, it has come to my attention that the UCI and it's subsidiaries (including USA cycling) have decided to enforce UCI rule 1.2.019 which states:
"No licence holder may participate in an event that has not been included on a national, continental or world calendar or that has not been recognised by a national federation, a continental confederation or the UCI. A national federation may grant special exceptions for races or particular events run in its own country."
Sadly, this reaction by sanctioned racing bodies appears to be aimed directly at promoters such as myself and hugely popular unsanctioned races and events such as our




Wolfpack Hustle 2013 Marathon Crash Race
presented by Red Bull and Chrome OFFICIAL RESULTS, RECAP and THANK YOU LIST:
Fuck yeah Don!
thanks Matt. Looking forward to another epic unsanctioned race on April 28th. 11TH ANNUAL FEEL MY LEGS I’M A RACER.
Wolves will be howling on this day… howling in pain!
Roadblock,
I agree with everything you have said especially the “cumbersome process” part. I strongly believe there are riders out there who can race at a professional level, but do not do so because they have no desire to participate in the “cumbersome process”. They just want to race and that’s it.
Off topic, I have a question I hope you can answer regarding the Feel My Legs race. I’ve searched everywhere, but can’t seem to find an answer, what is the recommended gear ratio(s) for those hills if you’re on a fixed gear?
Anone… It is impossible to do on fixed gear I would wager… I dont think ive seen or heard of that being done…
Roadblock…….I’m confused, in the YouTube videos that I have watched, it seems everyone is riding in a low gear and constantly pedaling, so why would that be impossible? I’m just trying to find out what that low gear is even if it’s not fixed.
Also, I think the Feel My Legs race should merge with you guys to fully complete (Spring, Summer, Fall, Autumn) the Unified Title Series. Just wanted to put in my support if you guys have already been thinking of something like that. Those hills are unique to LA and there aren’t many cities that have hills that can match LA’s. To solve the spectating issue I’d focus it more as a web broadcast event. Just my two cents!
just wanted to add to my last post hehehe….(MRTHNCRSH, DTCRTRM, 6THSTDRG, “3”HLLSCLMB)
So I’ve been sitting here thinking why it would be impossible to climb those hills with a fixed geared bike. Then it hit me. Geared bikes can go in the “negative” gear range, and that’s what’s needed in order to climb those hills. Is this the case?
Anone, i dont see why you shouldnt attempt it on a fixed gear… Would be rad. I think the grade varies a lot between the 10 climbs, some being the steepest in north america as i understand, and others being long. Seems like it could be done tho.
As for wrapping Matt’s race into our series, we would never ask. We love the way Matt and his crew Swarm! runs the show. Maybe we could offer bonus points for people who enter his race but even that would fuck with an already beautiful thing. Instead, we just enjoy seeing people like Matt throw a unique race outside of any fun killing federation or sanctioned body or even without an apparent care in the world about money and prizes. Basically, Feel My Legs is just fine without our help. Winnning that race is a glory all of its own.
” Ignore the UCI rules and realize what grass roots race events like ours are doing for the sport as a whole – growing it.”
Spot on!
Let me add, I’m a fairly new rider and my goal as a rider is to ride a hustle and not get dropped. If I can do that, THEN I will try a sanctioned race.
I’m out here, not riding, defending freedom from fucktards… and someone in the US is allowing this crazy shitonastick to happen?
Go Wolfpack, Go Mr. Ward, go on with your bad ass, Freedom demonstrating, push back until they realize they’ve done fucked up. USA cycling seems to NOT be in the interest of the USA, or those who ride it’s streets, those that live there, work there, and dream there. Push back Mr. Ward, and there’s thousands behind you ready to help push!
You’re awesome, USA Cycling sucks (probably why they were pulled from the Comined Federal Campaign for donations..).
a month after wolfpack hustle and I’ve gone from a sometime bike commuter to training and riding everyday, and taking racing classes at the sd velodrome. Probably a majority of wolfpack hustle’s fault.
I will def be there at the marathon next year but this time I’ll be riding it with friends, and not just race support like this year.
Also, a longtime boyfriend had a hand in starting up the sf hustle, and I’d like someday to show up and kick ass with all of his friends to his pride/embarrassment. After I learn some more about urban hustling in LA. Gettin’ reeaady watch out
I CRASHED the marathon this year. And it was a “dump truck full of AWSOME”! I can’t wait to do this again. This is just a weak tactic by corp. THUGS. Stay Strong RoadBlock
As one of the sole unsanctioned race organizers here in Jacksonville, Florida, I want to say I, and the rest of the 904 Fixed Team, COMPLETELY support this and David Trimble’s statement. Fighting back against USA Cycling and UCI will only show the grave mistake they are making by enforcing/deeming it “illegal” for licensed racers to participate in some of the most exciting and fun races I, or my team, have EVER been a part of.
We can not lose sight to what many sanctioned races have seem to have forgotten— cycling should be inviting and fun.
Don,
Do work! Tell these so-called-cycling-authorities how it is.
[…] How do you get enough new people into the sport so that champions (and a packed field) can emerge? There’s a big backlash against USA Cycling, the governing body that determines things like points and status, from local race directors who create awesome events that get more people into the sport – but who can’t afford the crippling fees to be USA Cycling sanctioned. So racers have to choose to race ‘for the love’ or glory. There was a huge fall out when USA Cycling tried to ban anyone who raced in non-santion events in 2013. What a bunch of bullies! Roadblock from Midnight Ridazz/Wolfpack Hustle laid it out best in his response. […]