Program At-A-Glance
The curriculum, programming, resources, and marketing strategy for Skills and Drills is based on data gathered from a pilot series of 10 clinics with 400+ participants and is designed for a club or event organizer to run on their own without in-person assistance from USA Cycling.
The 2-hour plug-and-play curriculum is derived from the more in-depth Beginner Racing Program and is formulated for diverse participant groups with varying levels of experience.
Participants will begin the clinic together with a group safety presentation and divide into three groups based on age and skill level. Each group will progress through a series of three station-based circuits, participating in a variety and drills appropriate to their riding and racing experience. After completing the circuits, all participants will re-convene for a practice race and a graduation ceremony.
Clinics are instructed by Skills and Drills Mentors who have achieved a Category 3 on the road and are chosen at the discretion of the host organization. All Mentors will receive a detailed instructor handbook with tips for teaching each station, and the host organization may choose to compensate instructors at their own discretion. All mentors must be up to date with their SafeSport training and will receive access to free training and certification materials to ensure they meet the national qualifications.
Fee Structure
Hosting a Skills and Drills clinic is free for member clubs and event organizers and includes general liability insurance, permitting, and comprehensive marketing support from USA Cycling.
The only fee included in the program is a standard $20 participant fee that comes directly to USA Cycling via BikeReg and provides each rider with a full day of $0 deductible on-the-bike injury coverage from Spot Insurance. This means that in the event of an injury, the participant’s medical bills are covered with a $0 deductible, and you’re also covered with a cycling specific general liability policy.
Host organizations may choose to charge additional fees to participants in order to recoup their own costs, but no payment is due to USA Cycling at the conclusion of the clinic.
Hosting Requirements
In order to host a Skills and Drills clinic, the host organization must be a USA Cycling member club or a USA Cycling event organizer in good standing. In addition, the host organization must meet/comply with the following requirements:
- Have access to a large parking lot or closed loop course that allows for cornering, sprinting, and bike handling drills as well as a short practice race.
- Have access to 3-4 experienced racers (Cat 3 and above) that are willing to serve as instructors/mentors and complete SafeSport training as specified by the U.S. Center for SafeSport.
- Agree to follow clinic protocol, pre-clinic checklist, and adhere to curriculum
- Agree to collect registrations via BikeReg and charge the $20 clinic participation fee
Hosting Benefits
Skills and Drills clinics are designed to help you grow your network, increase participation, and strengthen rapport among your local cycling community. Participants of all ages will receive valuable hands-on education that will help them strengthen their skills as an athlete. And with a low barrier to entry and paid marketing support from USA Cycling, the 2-hour clinic will help you connect with new audiences and introduce new members to your local cycling community.
Once approved to host a clinic, the host organization will receive a variety of ready-to-go materials to help them prepare for a successful event. These include a free event permit with general liability insurance, comprehensive administrative and instructor manuals, a turn-key curriculum, and other administrative resources.
To help host organizations succeed, all approved clinics will also receive free marketing support from USA Cycling that includes interest-based geo-targeting campaigns designed to reach new audiences and a variety of downloadable resources to enhance local marketing efforts.
Apply to Host a Clinic
Any USA Cycling member club or event organizer that meets the requirements is eligible to host a Skills and Drills clinic.
If you or your club meet the requirements listed above, apply online at the link below.
What to Expect once Approved
Once approved to host a clinic, USA Cycling will send you an administrative packet that includes:
- Administrative Manual and guidelines
- Instructor Manual and guidelines
- Complete event checklist
- Instructions for permitting your event free of charge
- Instructions for setting your event up on BikeReg and collecting registrations
- Marketing request form (free marketing from USA Cycling)
- Marketing and media kit to market your event
- Printable materials to enhance the participant experience
Get in Touch
Have any questions about the Level Up Your Ride clinic program? Contact Eric Bennett ebennett@usacycling.org
