Eclipse Racing at the NCNCA Early Birds

Some of our new and returning Eclipse Racing teammates jumped into the “Early Birds” Training Series, put on by the Northern California and Nevada Cycling Association (NCNCA). The Early Birds are a series of five clinics and practice races that together form a beginning racer program. These events each start with a clinic focused on pack-riding and racing skills, mentored by local coaches and experienced NCNCA racers, and end with a mentored criterium race. 

The NCNCA Early Birds series runs in January and February each year. Eclipse racers Maddy, Pam, Felicity, Theo, and Clara weigh in on their experiences: 

How did you hear about the Early Birds Series?

Pam: [My teammate] Amy mentioned it a lot during the Eclipse Racing recruitment ride I attended and I was attracted to a structured learning environment for an aspect of cycling I had no knowledge about.

Felicity: Teammates (Amy and Julie) suggested it to me during a recruitment ride.

Clara: I’d seen flyers for it last year, but didn’t get to go to any of them due to scheduling conflicts.  So when I had a bit of time this year, it seemed like a low-pressure way to dip a toe back into racing.

Did you have any concerns about the series?

Theo: Before coming to the Early Bird clinics, I knew very little about bike racing. I held assumptions about the sport itself, the kinds of people that engage in and have access to racing, and ultimately, was concerned that my riding abilities wouldn’t translate to those that are required in a crit race. I’ve also been healing from a recurring ankle injury and was fearful that the Early Birds would be putting my body in a stressful, slightly dangerous environment.

Felicity: I wasn’t sure what to expect, and wasn’t sure I would know anyone there.

Pam: First and foremost, I was afraid of crashing and getting hurt. Having to shuffle around other commitments on Sundays throughout January felt stressful, but I was committed to completing the series. I also was worried about being late at the mercy of BART schedules coming from San Francisco. 

Clara: I was concerned about having enough fitness to hang on and be competitive.  I’ve been rehabbing a recurring injury for almost a year now, which has made training at intensity really difficult.  Definitely had nerves, and definitely was surprised when I won one of the practice crits.

What kept you coming back?

Maddy: The feeling after the first session was like WOW, that felt GOOD. It really felt like as a group of strong women, we had accomplished something very dope together. We had learned new skills and gone out and put them to the test, safely! 

Pam: Motivation to learn more and to continue the sense of community I felt after the first clinic. I’ve gathered a lot of lingo with years of climbing and powerlifting and have been keeping up with the new vocabulary the cycling community throws around. I also acknowledged my need to work up more base fitness and the structure around a practice crit race helped me get a sense of my progress. 

Felicity: I wanted to improve my skills and get more comfortable riding in groups. Plus it was really nice to get to know the other new people on Eclipse who were also doing the clinic :)

Clara: That feeling of coming out of the last corner and opening a sprint!

Theo: After my first skills clinic, I learned how to paceline, how to cue and communicate with other riders in a pack, and how to work with others to optimize my own energy consumption while riding. This all led to an important realization that my daily commuter rides down Market St were far more dangerous than the Early Bird crit races! I wanted to keep coming back so that I could learn how to be a safer, more predictable rider.

What were some things you wished someone had told you before you went to Early Birds?

Pam: In a way, I’m glad I didn’t talk to too many people about attending Early Birds. The general sense I’ve gotten from folks that haven’t been is that they are afraid of going because of a perception that the practice crits are dangerous. Had I heard those comments before attending, I am not sure I would have gotten myself out there.

Felicity: I didn’t entirely know what the format would be like. I had almost no idea what to expect. I pretty much just showed up the first day and hoped someone would tell me what to do.

Clara: No pressure!

Theo: The women who go to these races are extremely cool and will quickly become apart of your extended bike family!

What was your biggest take-away?

Maddy: You can learn bike positioning and some race strategy pretty quickly if you put yourself out there, observe, listen, and give some heart. 

Clara: It (the pressure) is all in your head.

Pam:  Everyone comes to bike racing from a different point in their cycling journey. We’re all introduced to riding a bike in different ways and we’re all invested in keeping ourselves and others safe. This creates a deep connection among us that is hard to replicate in other communities when you bring a bunch of strangers together. Knowing that I feel empowered to take part in the competitive cycling community because it really feels like you’re out there riding bikes with your friends. 

Felicity: This is a great way to meet experienced mentors and new and old riders.  It’s a great experience and practice riding in a large, fast-paced group.

Theo: In the end, we’re all here to have fun and feel good, and be safe!

How have Early Birds changed the way you ride your bike?

Maddy: It was a mindset shift from urban riding to me. There are just as many possible hazards to be aware of, but they’re much closer to you, and you just have to keep your eyes up the road the right distance. I learned what purposeful, assertive positioning looks and feels like, and how to communicate with my bike’s position to other riders. 

Pam: I’ve caught myself riding wheels in my commute and anticipating what other cyclists in the “9-5 commute peloton” will do during rush hour. I’m listening more to my body and paying attention to actions I can take and wind patterns to become more efficient in my riding. I am much more confident riding in my drops, especially downhill. 

Felicity: I think a lot more about what I am doing and how to move around safely in a group, especially while descending and cornering. 

Clara: It added a sprinkle of confidence to my bike handling skills and refocused my motivation for training, which is something I felt at odds with while dealing with never-ending PT.

Theo: I feel far more confident while riding my bike in bigger groups, on my own, in a traffic jam, or through rolling hills -- I’m better at reading other riders around me, vocalizing what I see and how I feel, and can better maneuver certain sticky situations with more poise than before.