With the 2024 season quickly approaching we have quite a few things to go over.
Applications for the 2024 State Championships are now open. Races can put their name in the hat for selection by sending an email to ilcyclingassociation@gmail.com and including their race name, date of event, a flyer if available, and a couple of paragraphs that will be sent to all voting teams for consideration. The following championships are now open for application through Jan 27, 2024:
- Criterium
- Road Race
- Mtb
- Gravel
- Time Trial
Voting will then take place from Jan 28 through Feb 9th. Each registered club with USA Cycling will be allowed 1 vote as a club. The board of the ICA will be allowed to vote as a “club” with a total of 2 votes (discussed and confirmed during the last open board meeting). Due to the ongoing low number of races applying we will once again forego having a State Championship Committee for 2024.
Track championships will once again be a part of the programs at the Ed Rudolph Velodrome. Refer to https://www.northbrookcyclecommittee.org/ for any pertinent information as it develops throughout the season.
We will open applications for the 2024 Cyclocross State Championship in June 2024.
Speaking of the board we have 3 board positions that are currently up for vote:
- Treasurer: Currently held by Brenda Feehrey (South Chicago Wheelmen) who will run for the position again.
- Vice President: Currently held by Michael Kelly (South Chicago Wheelmen) who will run for the position again.
- Secretary: Currently held by Kevin Pietka who has stated he will continue to fill the role if no one steps up but would like to see someone new step up to take it over.
To nominate someone please send your nomination in to ilcyclingassociation@gmail.com through Jan 27, 2024. Do us all a favor and please discuss your nomination with the individual you are nominating before submitting it and save everyone some time and refrain from submitting it if that individual has no intention of filling the role. Voting will take place at the same time as the Championships voting.
All Clubs must be in currently good standing with USA Cycling and a member of the Illinois Cycling Association as their Local Association designator in order to place a vote.
Our annual Race Director Meeting will once again be held during the 2024 Chicago Winter Bike Swap. Interested parties may attend in person or virtually. Please use the following link to RSVP for the event so we are prepared. http://tinyurl.com/ICA-RD-Meeting At these meetings we usually cover upcoming changes in store for race directors in 2024, answer questions and generally share ideas and contacts, etc.
Speaking of race directing a new web series is being hosted by USA Cycling for all who are interested. Topics and dates are as follows:
- Tuesday, January 23: CHAMPIONING USA CYCLING’S SAFE SPORT PROTOCOL AT SANCTIONED EVENTS
- Tuesday, February 20: DIVERSITY, EQUITY, AND INCLUSION 101
- Tuesday, March 19: EVENT INSURANCE
- Tuesday, April 16: STRATEGIES TO ELEVATE YOUR EVENT
- Tuesday, September 17: STRATEGIES FOR MARKETING YOUR EVENT
- Tuesday, October 15: STAFFING YOUR EVENT FOR SUCCESS
- Tuesday, November 19: BUILDING ROBUST CLUB AND COLLEGIATE CYCLING PROGRAMS
More information about the series as well as registering is available at https://usacycling.org/2024-event-organizer-webinar-series
Illinois Cup is being finalized but may see as many as 7 events take part in this years series so keep your eyes open for announcements.