Membership information

Membership fee
BC Masters Cycling Association events are classed as club events and restricted to our members. No license is required. The cost of membership is only $30 for a calendar year. Although $5 single event memberships are available, we recommend our full membership. Besides being inexpensive, a full membership means less hassle for you and officials at events

Age groups
Riders are grouped five-year divisions, starting at age 30.  That's men's 30 to 34, 35 to 39, 40 to 44 and so on. The same for women. There's no upper age limit. 

Race format (road races)
Road races are run under a modified  "Australian pursuit" format which aims at encouraging fair competition between all age groups and between men and women. You must ride in your age group. Women are advanced three age groups, or to the oldest group which ever is closer in age. All riders cover the same race distance, usually 60 to 90 kilometers. Riders go off in 10 year age groups, the oldest first.  The time intervals between these 'starts' are set according to our best prediction of an outcome that would see the top riders for each age group finishing at the same time.  Sometimes it's necessary to start all riders together. In this case, placings are awarded on time -- the amount of 'time' subtracted from your actual time is increased according to your age.

New Road Race Handicapping
Our official handicapper has looked at the results of several years of races and devised a new graduated handicap system that reduces the time interval as the riders get younger.  Or, if you like, it increases the interval as you get older.

Race format (time trials)
Individual placings for time trials are based on a handicap formula of performance times established by the Veteran Time Trial Association of Britain (VTTA). In use since the 1940s, the formula had become controversial in recent years because it appeared that older riders, from one year to the next, were slowing down at a rate slower than originally predicted. Finally in 1996, the VTTA commissioned a study. It concluded that no changes to the handicapping standards were warranted.  (Click on  'Time Trial Handicaps' to see the entire schedule.)

Your opportunity to win medals
All riders, whether full or day members, are eligible to win custom-made medals. In road races the first three finishers, men and women, in each age group are awarded medals.  In addition, the first three men and first three women finishers overall  (Australian Pursuit) receive medals. That means that the overall male and female winner each takes home two gold medals.
In time trials, medals are presented to the first 3 overall finishers, both men and women.

Points
To add interest and incentive to our races, we hold a season-long points competition. Riders must participate in a minimum of six races to qualify. Only the sum of each rider's 15 best finishes are counted. This limit makes it more competitive for those who cannot travel to all events. It also makes participating in 'double points' events even more important. The winners in each age category are awarded championship jerseys at our season-ending dinner social.  Top male and  female point-winner also receives a jersey, trophy and grand title of  'Supervet of the Year.'
Points are:
1st - 10, 2nd  - 7, 3rd - 5, 4th - 3, and 5th - 2 for the Overall Championships
1st - 10, 2nd  - 7, and 3rd  - 5 for the Age Group Championships.
Overall (but not age category) points are awarded for Team Time Trials and 2-ups. (Teams may be comprised of men and/or women of any Masters' age. 

Race numbers
When you become a full member you are issued a permanent season number. It's your proof of membership. At events it saves you the hassle and time of lining up to get a temporary number and then having to give it back after the race. Your permanent number is coded to help finish line judges see exactly where you place in races.

Entry fees
Our entry fees for both regular and championship events are  $20 per road race and $10 per time trial, hill climb and crit.  Fees help cover the cost of equipment, medals, and refreshments offered free to you after each race during the award ceremony.

And more......
The BCMCA is a volunteer organization. We are always looking for people to help at races. So if you know people -- a spouse or acquaintance -- who could provide willing, competent assistance, please bring them along to the races. They will surely enjoy the social ambiance and free refreshments.

New B Category
An alternative to regular age category racing, it features

• Shorter distances--approx. 40K
  
• Massed start--after the last Group is off
  
• Medals in all categories
  
• No points