"It doesn't get any easier. You just get faster." - Greg LeMond
NORTHWESTERN CYCLING
WHO WE ARE: The Northwestern Cycling team competes at the highest level of collegiate cycling, National Collegiate Cycling Association (NCCA) Division I, representing the school as a member of the Midwest Collegiate Cycling Conference. Collegiate road racing, our primary focus, takes place twice every weekend from the end of February to the national championships in mid-May. Team members span all years and schools, from freshman engineers to med students, and include both men and women.
Training occurs year round. The club organizes group rides for both fun and training, and participates in en masse weekend rides with the local community. When winter makes outdoor rides impossible we occupy the basement of Patten Gym for indoor rides. The club also encourages weight and cross training and can help design a personalized regimen.
EXPERIENCE: The team is geared towards cyclists of all levels. Collegiate races are broken up into 4 length/difficulty levels from Category D for beginners to Category A for Elite/Pro riders. Regardless of experience, there's always a ride or a race for you.
Our only requirements are enthusiasm and a bike. If you need to purchase one, club members are always more than happy to talk shop and offer advice. They are always willing to help new cyclists.
RACING: The team has a blog where they can recap their races over the summer and fall. Check out everyone’s race reports at NU Cycling Blog
Made possible by our sponsors
“Bike racing in the collegiate level is just plain fun! Generally beginning in March, you see the same great people weekend after weekend, develop excellent camaraderie and have a blast racing with them, witness entertaining antics of all sorts, and maybe if you're lucky you will complete a single homework assignment per weekend road trip. The competition is generally fierce but always enjoyable, plus it's a fantastic way to enter the regular summer race season with some decent form. I think collegiate cycling is playing a huge part in the growth of the sport in America.”
-Ted King, Cervelo Test Team (via @Velonews from the Giro d'Italia)
