Team QCW Benefits Program
This program offers the highest level of rider support in our region, across a wide range of disciplines, at all levels and abilities. This program also offers a high level of support to our working volunteers who help QCW present the largest collection of racing events in the Midwest annually.
Everything you need to know about the Benefits Program is detailed below. Please contact the Team QCW Manager if you have questions. Or ask your question in the Team QCW Google email group.
Overview
This program is open to all QCW Members, yet in no way should be construed as a requirement for general club membership. Its purpose is to further encourage active member participation in the world of competitive cycling as per the Queen City Wheels mission statement:
“The Queen City Wheels' mission is to promote the sport of bicycle racing throughout Cincinnati. We offer the opportunity to experience bike racing through multiple disciplines for the beginner and the advanced rider.”
Team QCW Members earn Benefit Points by either participating in cycling events (while wearing the current Team QCW kit) or volunteering at QCW sponsored events. These points accrue by calendar year which can then be applied toward team clothing and/or race fee reimbursements.
Regardless of whether you qualify for a free Team QCW kit, membership on the team remains open year-round to anyone who races in the Team QCW kit, purchases a current year QCW Membership, complete the Rider Agreement and lists Queen City Wheels on their USAC Racing License. (Purchase of a USAC License is NOT REQUIRED in order to qualify for Team Benefits.)
Racer Benefits
QCW Members meeting all requirements of the Rider Agreement will be considered Team QCW members in good standing and eligible for the following benefits.
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First year Team QCW riders who have a current USA Cycling racing license with Queen City Wheels listed as their club are eligible for a free team jersey and shorts. Recipients must earn a minimum of one volunteer point by the end of the year.
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Unlicensed Team QCW riders may purchase a team jersey and shorts for $99. At the end of the year if the rider has completed five races and earned one volunteer point, they will be reimbursed the $99. These riders are also eligible to earn the same Award Levels as all other riders.
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Team QCW members entry fees are waived for any QCW promoted racing events. Riders should try to pre-register, but should NOT pay an entry fee. Check with individual QCW event directors for how they will handle QCW rider registration. Wearing the current team kit is mandatory for free entries.
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Team QCW members annually earn Benefit Points through both racing and volunteering which may be exchanged for reimbursement of entry fees up to a total of $600 cash plus a free kit.
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Team QCW members are eligible for replacement of one crash damaged pair of shorts and/or jersey per year. Clothing must have holes or be significantly damaged to qualify. Generally, a pair of shorts that hits the pavement is going to tear, but a jersey may only be scuffed and not torn significantly. Replacements will be approved by a Club Director. Riders are required to turn over the damaged clothing in exchange for new clothing at the discretion of the Director in charge. Normal wear and tear of clothing is not covered.
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Eligible Team QCW members attending an approved USA Cycling training camp may be reimbursed for 50% of the cost (up to $250.00). Requests (submitted in advance) will be reviewed by the QCW Board of Directors on an individual basis.
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Team QCW riders are eligible for a 20% discount on merchandise purchased at any of the six Montgomery Cyclery locations. The discount does not apply to bicycles, but riders are free to work with Montgomery Cyclery on specific bicycle purchases.
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Giant Bicycles and Montgomery Cyclery have partnered with QCW to supply our team members with bikes at a steep discount. The agreement, also referred to as a “Pro-Deal” or “Grass Roots Program”, is normally reserved for the most elite programs in cycling circles. Ordering through this program typically opens once a year each Fall when it’s announced by the BOD that orders may be placed. If you are interested in participating, please contact the BOD.
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Team QCW members receive priority 72-hour turnaround on repairs not requiring “special order” parts.
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Team QCW members have free access, for personal use only, to photographs of local races taken by Cincinnati’s premier cycling sports photographer Jeffrey B Jakucyk. Jeffrey is contracted by QCW to produce an exceptionally large volume of photos featuring Team QCW riders annually.
Volunteer Benefits
Our volunteers are critical to the success of our events. Volunteers rarely see the limelight, but they are very much appreciated. At QCW we provide benefits targeted to our community of volunteers. They are part of our team as much as any rider wearing blue and orange. Thank you.
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Volunteers earn one point every two hours they work at any QCW event. While volunteer opportunities are always available at our major events there are a limited number of those events a year. Fortunately, the Cleves Time Trial Series runs weekly from May through September and affords the opportunity to earn one point for each night worked. There are additional methods for earning volunteer points not related to working an event. Those are explained under Earning Points and Logging Points.
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Event Volunteers who reach the 10 Benefit Points level are eligible for one FREE kit regardless of whether they participate in any competitively scored events. Volunteers are also eligible for some Racer Benefits by simply achieving one benefit point from volunteering.
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Any QCW member may purchase our standard bib shorts and jersey once per year at the heavily discounted price of $99, or one of either item for $50..
There is no requirement to do any racing. Recipients must earn a minimum of two volunteer points by working QCW events prior to making their purchase. This program is NOT available to any rider who has earned free team clothing through either racing or volunteering in the previous calendar year.
Clothing is limited to stock on hand and if there is a lack of availability, clothing will first go to active racers. Not subject to free replacement. Information on who to contact to purchase a kit is available on the Clothing/Kit page.
Entry Fee Reimbursement
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The event must:
1) Promote themselves as races.
2) Post results online.
3) Score competitors by categories.
- Categories must be set by either rider skill or rider age.
- Offer gender specific categories.
- Distance is NOT a category.
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Although these events do not qualify for reimbursement, they may still earn Benefit Points for participants wearing their Team QCW kit.
1) Events which DO NOT do one or more of the following:
-Promote themselves as races.
-Score competitors by either rider skill or age.
- Post results online.
- Offer gender specific categories
2) Stationary bike events
3) BMX or Freestyle
4) Triathlons/Duathlons
5) Gran Fondos, charity rides, bike tours
6) Indoor Time Trials
7) Virtual (e.g., Rouvy, Zwift) Not Benefit Points eligible.
8) Trick/Show competitions
9) Any event that states it is not a race.
Earning Benefit Points
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Races: Starting any event which qualifies for entry fee reimbursement = 1 point.
Non-Competitive Events: Starting outdoor cycling events with entry fees: adventure rides, tours charity rides, etc. = 1 point.
Cleves Time Trials: = 1 point each with a maximum of 5 points.
USAC Category Upgrade: = 1 point upgrading your rider category with a maximum 1 point.
USAC National Championships: = 2 points per race.
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QCW Events: Every two hours onsite work = 1 point.
NON QCW Events: Every two hours onsite work = 1 point (maximum one point annually).
Board Meetings: Fully attending a meeting = 1 point.
Committee Member: = 2 points.
At Large BOD Member: = 3 points.
BOD Designated Manager: = 3 points. (Examples: Clothing, Team, Membership, Website, Social Media, Google Groups, etc.)
Elected Officer: = 5 points.
Event Director: = 5 points.
Logging Benefit Points
Points must be logged on the points logger (see link under Rider Resources) prior to the end of the year. Riders who do not yet have a tab on the spreadsheet with their name on it should request one via the Team QCW Google email group. Points may be moved to other Team QCW members within the same household. All accounts will be audited and any intentionally incorrect logs may result in total forfeiture of benefits at the Club’s discretion.
Award Levels
10 Points = free kit or up to $120 cash reimbursement. (Minimum 1 volunteer point required*.)
15 Points = free kit plus $240 cash reimbursement. (Minimum 2 volunteer points required*.)
20 Points = free kit plus $360 cash reimbursement. (Minimum 3 volunteer points required*.)
25 Points = free kit plus $480 cash reimbursement. (Minimum 4 volunteer points required*.)
30 Points = free kit plus $600 cash reimbursement. (Minimum 5 volunteer points required*.)
*Minimum volunteer points requirements for reimbursement levels must be met by volunteering at QCW events or attending BOD meetings.
Cash reimbursement is only up to the level of race fees actually incurred.
An additional $100 cash reimbursement may be taken in lieu of receiving the free kit if eligible.
Volunteers who do not race are limited to the 10 Points kit award and no cash.
Points may be earned by providing friends or family as volunteers at QCW events.
Riders who leave QCW to join another Team will not qualify for any clothing. However, we will honor our commitment to cover race fees that they would be otherwise entitled (75% of the clothing allowance they earned).
Team Rider Agreement
All Team QCW members participating in the Team QCW Benefits Program must complete and submit a signed Team Rider Agreement annually.