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 board of directors if you have questions. You may use the Contact Us link in the header or, if you’re already a member, post 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, 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.) No Rider Agreement is required for riders purchasing their own kit and they may also qualify for other Team QCW benefits. Riders competing in non-USAC sanctioned events such as triathlons are not required to wear the Team QCW kit in those events and may belong to other non-USAC affiliated teams.

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.

  • First year Team QCW riders who have a current USA Cycling racing license with Queen City Wheels listed as their club will be eligible for a free team jersey and shorts. Additional requirements include completing the Rider Agreement and earning one Benefit Point during the year through volunteering.

  • 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.

  • Team QCW members earn Benefit Points through both racing and volunteering which may be exchanged for reimbursement of entry fees up to a total of $319 cash, or $425 in team clothing.

  • Team QCW members are eligible for replacement of one racing event related 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.

  • 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.

  • 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.

  • 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.

  • Team QCW members receive priority 72-hour turnaround on repairs not requiring “special order” parts.

  • 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.

This is not a complete listing of benefits available to our volunteers. Some of the benefits outlined in the Racer Benefits section also apply to non-racing volunteers.

  • 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 sections Earning Points and Logging Points.

  • 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. They are also eligible for some Racer Benefits by simply achieving one benefit point from volunteering.

  • 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. Riders wanting to take advantage of this program are required to complete a rider agreement.

    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.

Earning Points

Any competitive cycling event that has official scorers and gives awards and/or recognition for finishing or placing will qualify for points and, unless otherwise noted, entry fee reimbursement. Points accumulate by calendar year.

Each event, whether race (USAC sanctioned or unsanctioned), gran fondo, charity ride, or time trial will all be tracked and eligible for one point. Virtual events do not earn points. Eligible participants must be QCW members in good standing wearing the current Team QCW kit when participating in the event.

  • Races: Racing any official scored race (USAC Race Events, State and Senior Championships/Games, Time Trials, MTB, Gravel etc. NO Virtual Events.) = 1 point.

    National Championships: Each race = 2 points.

    USAC Cat Up: Upgrading USAC racing category = 1 point per discipline.

    Cleves Time Trials: = 1 point each with a maximum of 5 points.

    Charity Rides/Gran Fondos: Participation = 1 point. Entry fees are not eligible for reimbursement.

  • QCW Events: Every two hours on-site work = 1 point.

    UCI Event (Cincinnati based): Every two hours on-site work = 1 point. These points do not count toward meeting minimum point requirements.

    Board Meetings: Two meetings attended as a guest = 1 point These points do not count toward meeting minimum point requirements.

    Committee Leader: = 1 point.

    Event Director: Organize and manage a QCW event = 5 points plus additional hours working event on-site.

    Board Member, Director, Manager, or Coordinator: 2 points

    Elected Officer: One year of service = 5 points

Summary

Volunteer

  • 1 point per 2 hours

  • Includes partner/friends

  • Minimum 1 volunteer point for any benefits

Ride

  • 1 point per race

  • 1 point cat-up

  • 2 points per race at USAC Nationals

  • 1 point per Cleves TT (max 5)

  • 1 point per charity/gran fondo ride (not eligible for fee reimbursement)

Lead

  • 2 points Board Member

  • 5 points elected Officer

  • 1 point every 2 BOD meetings attended as guest

Direct/Coordinate

  • 5 points for Event Directors

  • 1 point for leading a BOD approved committee.

Award Levels

  • 10 Points = free kit or up to $100 cash. (Minimum one volunteer point required.)

  • 20 Points = free kit or $100 plus $250 in clothing or up to additional $188 in cash. (Minimum two volunteer points required.)

  • 30 Points = free kit or $100 plus $425 in clothing or up to additional $319 in cash. (Minimum three volunteer points required.)

Cash reimbursement only up to level of race fees actually incurred.

Volunteers who do not race limited to the 10-points kit award and no cash.

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).

We will audit accounts randomly and any intentionally incorrect logs may result in total forfeiture of benefits at the Club’s discretion.

IMPORTANT: Riders must accrue at least one QCW volunteer point (or have someone volunteer on your behalf) to qualify for any benefits. No exceptions. No excuses. Free kits and additional kit items are only available to members who have signed a QCW Rider Agreement for the coming season. Cash is available ONLY up to the level of race fees entered in the Log sheet on Team QCW Google Groups site by December 31.

Logging Points

Points must be logged on the points logger 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.

Team Rider Agreement

All Team QCW Members must complete and submit a signed Team Rider Agreement annually.