Cycling club providing pre-Little 500 experience

The IU Cycling Club, or IUCC, provides its member's experience and the opportunity to ride with and against national caliber riders. The IUCC is made up of three disciplines, with their respected seasons. The club has categories for track and mountain biking in the fall and, beginning this weekend, the road season. The club has about 140 members who ride casually or compete seriously. Its largest category is the road, largely due to the production of riders who race for the Little 500.\nThe road season itself consists of three different types of races: Road, criterium and track. The road races are run on about a five-mile course, with various hills, and roughly ten laps around the course. The criterium, is a short, kind of circuit course usually between a half-mile and one-and-half-miles per lap equaling forty miles. The track races are time trials, which are individual races against the clock. In the Midwest, there are two categories for women and three for men.\nAnnually, IUCC finishes in the top ten nationally.\n"Every year we have strong, national caliber riders. Despite us being a club team, we continually defeat varsity teams," club president of the spring season, junior Jason Mount said.\nThe IUCC provides race experience, a fun atmosphere and the opportunity to travel all around the Midwest. Additionally, it provides valuable racing experience for Little 500 riders before the race and discounted accessories through the team's sponsors.\n"I encourage Little 500 racers to come out and gain experience. I learned tons by going to these races. It makes a huge difference," vice president of the fall season, sophomore Jenn Wangerin said.\n The IUCC isn't just comprised of national caliber and Little 500 riders. The club consists of beginners on up.\n "Anyone can join. There are all types of categories, from beginners to experts," vice president of the road season, sophomore Mike Kehrburg said.\n Preparation for the events is at the riders' discretion. Riders may ride with their Little 500 team, with other club members or on their own. There are no mandatory workouts; each member usually puts in what is required to compete in their respected category.\n"We meet Tuesday nights at 8:30 p.m. in Geo 143 in the Geology building. IUCC is an open club anyone can join. It's a great way to meet a lot of people, improve your skills, fitness and is an opportunity to get some competition in," Mount said.\nIUCC races begin this coming weekend. The club's schedule can be found at www.indiana.edu/~iucc, along with their roster, sponsors and member information. For more information, contact the IUCC at cycling@indiana.edu.\nI.U. Club Sports are a program of the Division of Recreational Sports. For more information, please call 855-2371 or visit www.recsports.indiana.edu.