Topics

Joining HUCA

Training with HUCA

Racing with HUCA

Team Events
  

Frequently Asked Questions

Joining HUCA:
Training with HUCA:
Racing with HUCA:
Team Events:
Joining HUCA:
  • How do I join HUCA?
    Welcome! To join our rides, check the Team Calendar. You can come on any ride listed. Be sure to bring the necessary supplies to be self-sufficient on the road.
    To race with us, you need to become a member. Membership for the year costs $40, and allows you to race at team-funded race weekends throughout the spring and also become eligible for discounts on our team kit and at Wheelworks. You can become a member at our intro meeting on September 3, 3-4pm in Sever 214, or by contacting us.
  • Who can join HUCA?
    Anyone may join and ride with the club, both within and outside Harvard. Those outside of Harvard are part of FoHUCA (friends of HUCA) and are valued members of the club. Membership is $40 and includes discounts on our kit and 10% off at Wheelworks (not including bikes and items on sale). Anyone may join our regular rides: you do not have to be a member to ride with us.
  • How do I join your email list?
    Enter your name and email address in the form at http://lists.hcs.harvard.edu/mailman/listinfo/huca-list.
  • I'm new to cycling... what should I do?
    First, get yourself a bike! You can contact us or email the list to see if anyone will loan you a loaner bike in your size. This is especially helpful if you're not sure of how much you'll like cycling.
    If you want to get a new or used bike (see Getting a Used Bike), we recommend talking to Ed Sassler at Belmont Wheelworks. You will need to consider what you will use the bike for (e.g., recreational riding vs. racing), how serious you're going to be (in other words, how much money you're going to spend), and you'll need to test ride a bunch of bikes. Once you have a bike, you will need to make sure you are properly positioned on it. This is important in preventing repetitive stress injuries and discomfort on the bike. You can schedule a fitting at a bike shop (we recommend Ed at Wheelworks).
    For clothing, your level of commitment will help you determine how much cycling clothing to get. Getting at least one outfit is advised--cycling clothing will make your ride much more pleasant. HUCA sells nearly every type of cycling clothing, from padded shorts to gloves. You can buy all of these items from previous years' kits at a great discount at the Intro Meeting on September 3, 3-4pm in Sever 214.
    Finally, be sure to get a helmet! Pretty much all helmets will meet the same safety standards; the more expensive ones tend to be lighter and have better ventilation.
  • What should I do if I don't have a road bike?
    A road bike is preferred for road riding since it is lighter and easier to handle than most other kinds of bikes, but if you have any other kind of bike, that's perfectly fine. You can email the list to see if anyone might loan you a bike in your size for the short term. Otherwise, you should consider getting a road bike, new or used.
  • Where can I find a used road bike?
    Check out eBay, Craigslist, and the used bike inventories at Wheelworks, Quad Bikes, Bikes Not Bombs, and other Boston cycling stores like Cambridge Bicycles, Back Bay Bicycles, Quad Bikes, Landry's, and Ata Bikes.
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Training with HUCA:
  • How do I join HUCA?
    Welcome! To join our rides, check the Team Calendar. You can come on any ride listed. Be sure to bring the necessary supplies to be self-sufficient on the road.
    To race with us, you need to become a member. Membership for the year costs $40, and allows you to race at team-funded race weekends throughout the spring and also become eligible for discounts on our team kit and at Wheelworks. You can become a member at our intro meeting on September 3, 3-4pm in Sever 214, or by contacting us.
  • When are your rides?
    All rides are posted on the Team Calendar. Ride leaders will leave at the time indicated, so be sure to show up on time!
  • What kinds of rides do you do?
    Skills Weeks: KEY for new prospective racers. From September to mid-October, our coaches and returning racers hold Skills Weeks. We do our normal routes while teaching you important riding and racing skills. All skills weeks rides are NON-DROP, which means you should come and ride without fear of being stranded. We will provide maps and will usually ride home with you if you are left behind. Check the Team Calendar for specific dates/times.
    Regular training rides: These go on year-round. Check the Team Calendar for specific dates, times, and ride leaders' schedules.
    QRAC rides: As soon as Skills Weeks end, we start training twice a week indoors to get out of the cold and get racers of disparate levels riding together. Check the Team Calendar for logistics.
  • How long do you ride?
    During the week, we generally ride between 25 and 45 miles. Our Saturday rides go longer, and may be as long as 80 miles. Check the Team Calendar for specifics.
  • How fast do you ride?
    Training rides vary widely in speed. Check the ride details on the Team Calendar. The Hammer Ride can average over 20mph, and includes many accelerations and attacks.
  • Where do you ride?
    In the suburbs and rural towns surrounding Boston. Check out the cue sheets and ride maps on our training page.
  • Where do you meet?
    Usually we meet either in front of Peet's Coffee and Tea at the corner of Mt. Auburn St. and JFK St., or the Quad shuttle stop. Double check the team calendar before you head out; some ride leaders prefer alternate meeting places.
  • How do I let the ride leader know I'm coming?
    The Details portion of the event on the Team Calendar will contain contact information. Contact the ride leader well in advance so he or she knows you're coming.
  • How do I know if a ride was canceled?
    Ride leaders are responsible for pulling a ride from the Calendar in bad weather and notifying anyone who has committed to being on the ride. It's best to give the ride leader your phone number in case weather or other circumstances force a late cancellation.
  • I can't make the rides posted on the team calendar... how else can I ride with you?
    Email the list and post your own ride! To join the email list, fill out this form with your name and email address.
  • What should I bring with me when I ride?
    You must wear a helmet on all HUCA rides, no exceptions. Also bring front and rear lights if you're riding close to sunrise or sunset, water, and food if the ride is long.
    Strongly recommended: Two tubes, hand pump, tire levers, cell phone, some money, and a map and/or directions. Directions and ride maps for HUCA routes can be found on our training page.
  • Do you actually ride all through the winter?
    We sure do! We also hold indoor sessions twice a week, on Tuesday and Thursday, so that you can train indoors on some days. We also ride outside; proper winter clothing is essential for riding in the cold. Check out our winter clothing guidelines.
  • How should I dress to ride in the cold?
    We recommend that you own tights, shoe covers, a thermal jacket, base layers, gloves, and either a balaclava or something to cover your head, ears, and neck. Some of these items are available through the HUCA clothing order, which will be discussed at the Intro Meeting on September 3, 3-4pm in Sever 214.
    To make your ride more comfortable, you can add glove liners, toe and/or glove warmers, ski socks, and substitute thermal tights for regular tights on cold days.
  • What other rides can I find in the Boston area?
    These clubs and stores offer group rides. Check out their websites for more info.

    New England Bicycle Club (NEBC)
    Boston Road Club
    CycleLoft
    Charles River Wheelmen (CRW)
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Racing with HUCA:
  • Who can race for the team?
    Any Harvard student who is enrolled in a degree-granting program.
  • How do I become a racer?
    Become a member, attend the Intro Meeting, Winter Training meeting and Spring Racing meeting, and train with us. If you missed one of the meetings, contact us and tell us that you'd like to race with us in the spring.
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Team Events:
  • How can I find out about upcoming events?
    Check the Team Calendar for information about upcoming rides, team events, and races. Also stay tuned to the mailing list for announcements about events.
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