Velociraptors and Cycle Racing

Velociraptors promotes non-elite cycle racing – recreational, club cycle racing – safe, fun cycle racing for all ages and ability levels (including those with disabilities). The emphasis is on participation, increased fitness and well-being, athletic exhilaration and fellowship not on winning or on being the best you possibly can be. Velociraptors cycle racing moves away from ego competition and sports stars.

Many cyclists do not have the time, inclination, or genes to become elite racers. They have other priorities, interests, and commitments besides cycling and cycle racing. Nevertheless, these ‘part-time’ racers get enjoyment and satisfaction from the racing experience and pushing themselves a bit harder than they would on a recreational ride. They want to see how well they can do on a limited amount of time available for training and racing – say 6 to 8 hours per week. For many people athletics or cycle racing is only part of a healthy, rich lifestyle. There are also science, literature, art, music, philosophy, emotional development, spirituality, community service, etc.

If Velociraptors does not cater to ‘serious’, ‘dedicated’ racers why bother with racing at all? One answer is that there is no sharp divide between riding (running or swimming) for general fitness and racing. As you become fit it is natural to time yourself over a given distance. Then you set yourself a personal goal of beating a certain time. You then have a natural desire to see how well you can do in a formal setting relative to others.

Velociraptors cycle racing caters to people who are left out of ‘serious’ competitive racing, e.g. those of moderate ability; those 50 or over. In particular, Velociraptors seeks to attract women over 40 to cycle racing. Cycle racing is a demanding sport but it need be no more demanding than say 10k or half-marathon running.

Velociraptors strongly supports cycle racing being part of schools and college athletic programs. It is likely that the legitimacy of cycling for transport and of cyclists’ rights are enhanced by acceptance of cycle racing as a popular sport – one not requiring immense amounts of training and fanatical dedication. A major factor in gaining acceptance for cycle racing as a sport like running which most can participate in is to have cycle racing recognized as school sport.

Velociraptors strongly supports handicap cycle racing – races in which riders get a start or time allowance based on ability or age.

Velociraptors lobbies for Municipal or Parks authorities to set aside space on playing fields for 500 or 400 metre safe cycle race circuits (grass or similar soft surface), e.g. circuit around 2 side by side soccer pitches. Disused running tracks might also do.

Velociraptors promotes cycle rides which are between races and recreational group rides, viz. reliability rides. In these, people start in groups of about 8 at about 2 minute intervals. Everyone is given a time for the distance say 20k or 40k but there are no prizes for fastest times, no winners as such. Drafting is permitted.

You do not have to race, ever, in order to be a member of Velociraptors. You just have to support non-elite cycle racing. This may take the form of helping out occasionally with a cycle race or reliability ride, e.g. marshalling, assisting with sign-on, setting up course signage, timekeeping, judging finishing order. Helping out with non-elite cycle racing is a form of community service and cycling activism. It helps raise environmental and health awareness too.

Because Velociraptors includes promoting cycle races it must be registered with Cycling BC. This means that Velociraptors members must have a Cycling BC license which gives insurance coverage before they can participate (after an initial trial) in Velociraptors group rides even if they never race.