NOTE!: The C-SIG for 2009 is already in progress. If you were unable to participate this year, please join our club rides during the spring and summer and we look forward to seeing you for the C-SIG next year. Registration starts in early February 2010.

Think of it as Cycling College. Learn the basics of cycling from experienced ride leaders with a passion for the sport. Whether your interest is touring, competitive cycling or group riding, the C-SIG provides 8 weeks of intensive training and practice during all-day group rides in the following areas of competency:

Essential Riding Skills—efficient pedal stroke; cadence; using a cycle computer; maximizing use of gears; balance/coordination; passing/acceleration; hill ascent; braking on fast down-hills; short stops; hairpin turns, etc.

Road and Group Riding Skills—hand signals (stopping, turning, road obstacles); safety skills for riding in traffic

Bike Maintenance and Repair Skills—changing a flat; care and lubrication of chain and crank; adjusting brakes

Nutrition and Hydration—timing, quality, quantities

Bike Fit—for maximum efficiency and injury prevention

The Best Cycling Clothes—for riding in comfort in cold, hot, wet and everything in-between weather

Emergency First Aid Response—basics for acting quickly in case of emergency
AND much more!

Build foundational cycling skills to last a lifetime; learn to ride safely and stronger with groups, and develop beyond your wildest dreams. The C-SIG is a stimulating and supportive environment for developing endurance, stamina and friendships.

Requirements

1. NYCC Membership before the C-SIG starts (for details on how to join, click here)
2. Pre-Registration (click here to pre-register) We have more people who want to do the SIG than we can accommodate, so pre-register as early as possible. You’ll receive immediate confirmation. If you pre-register and later decide you cannot do the C-SIG this year, please let us know so we can add another place from the wait list.
3. Do our classification ride March 14th or 15th, 2009 (see below)
4. Clear your weekend schedule for riding March 21-May 9th 2009. These are all-day Saturday rides, 9 am-5pm. If we are rained out on Saturday, we ride Sunday.
5. Bring a sense of humor and willingness to follow instructions. It’s serious fun!

C-SIG grads will pledge to lead at least one C-level club ride in 2009. We’ll be happy to pair you with an experienced ride leader and work with you on planning your route. Call it a give-back to the club and your ride leaders for all the skills you’ll acquire in the C-SIG. By the time you graduate, you’ll be a competent and confident cyclist and more than up for leading. Honest!

We start March 14th or 15th (you choose the day) at 9:30 AM with a mandatory 3-lap/18-mile Classification Ride in Central Park. This helps us place you in the right group so you can get the most out of the SIG. Meet at the 5th Avenue and 72nd Street entrance of Central Park at 9:30 AM. Plan to spend about 3 hours with us. You must be pre-registered (see Requirement #2 above) to participate.

Here’s what you need to bring with you

You are required to wear a bike helmet and bring a bike in good repair, with properly inflated tires, a spare tube that fits your tire and a water bottle. Wear gloves and layered clothing, topped by a windbreaker (required). Your knees should be covered, and depending on the temperature, you may want to wear a thin cover for ears and head. Rain, wet roadways, or temperature below 35 degrees postpones.

Questions?

For more information, please visit our Frequently Asked Questions page. In addition, please feel free to contact Jim Reaven or Gary McGraime at csig@nycc.org or you can phone Jim Reaven at 917-232-2875.

Materials and Links

Here you can see C-SIG materials including hand-outs, sample cue sheets of routes that have been used on previous C-SIGS, and useful links. Cue sheets are subject to change from year to year

Reading the hand-outs in advance is optional, however there are a few that might be especially useful previous to the start of the SIG including: "ABC Quick Bike Check" (we urge you to look at that one), "Tire Care Before and After Each Ride", and "Clothing and Accessories."

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