The Brazen Dropouts
Forging Friendships at 25 mph
By Andy Swartz
A lot of thought goes into forming a team. Success is measured in many ways. The 
| Brazen Dropout rider Ben Neff |
|
founders of the Brazen Dropouts Cycling Team deliberately got off to a good start with a cycling pun. They couldn't have known the legacy of the team
and its accomplishments would add so much irony to the name Brazen Dropouts.
What noncyclists hear: bra–zen /adj./ Marked by flagrant and insolent audacity. Synonym – shameless.
drop–out /n./ a. One who quits school. b. One who has withdrawn from a given social group or environment. What cyclists know: bra–zen /adj./ Pertaining to, made of, or resembling, brass.
drop–out /n./ Part of a bicycle frame that allows the rear wheel to be removed without derailing the chain first.
The Beginning
In 1984 Colin O'Brien of Madison, Wis., created a women's road racing team with Williamson Bicycle Works' customers who wanted to try racing. They were sponsored by Appel bicycles, did weight training, sported new jerseys and a lot of enthusiasm. O'Brien recalls, "During the first season, the whole thing went Pffffftttt. The racing part just didn't happen."
Undaunted, he formed a masters men's team in 1985. The original five
included Colin O'Brien, Paul White and John Wilson. O'Brien, who set a national hour record in 1981, was the team coordinator and sponsorship liaison. His expertise and talent as a racer made the Brazen Dropouts a bona fide racing outfit from the start.
John Wilson, who began racing in the '70s, pulled people together. He was notorious for inviting prospective riders on fast 45–mile rides. If they weren't dropped more than two or three times, and came back to
ride again, he invited them to join.
Paul White served as club president for the first nine years. He guided the old hands and new recruits with integrity and humility, while infusing humor, organization and a vision that extended beyond winning bike races.
The team has provided a venue for many riders to get interested in, connected to, and excited about racing. Many have moved on, but the current roster includes two founders and about a dozen 10–year veterans.
"Its nice we've been around this long and have been able to remain diverse in terms of membership and racing," says White. While the club is reputed as a strong bunch of masters riders, it welcomes more women, juniors and promising new riders.
With the addition of younger riders and women, five became eight, then 10. For several years the club was a small group that enjoyed riding and racing together. Membership mushroomed in the late '90s to over 50
active riders. This growth allowed new projects and enhancements for existing events. E–mail keeps everyone in the loop for rides, race car–pooling and club activities.
Club president Steve Silverberg described the club's evolution.
"It started out as little bike club and 10 years later it's an institution, but it still is a little group of friends!"
O'Brien adds, "The original spirit of a few people that love riding
together is still there, even as the size approaches 60." The founders encouraged the fun factor from the beginning. The Dropouts have tried to keep a sense of humor, and be serious about racing, but without taking themselves seriously.
The Values
Riders bond over the common element of risk, dedication and schedule juggling required to race and lead a balanced life. The untimely death of
two members in 1993, David Kagy and Sergio de la Torre, affected the team's collective psyche. A car hit and killed David while on a trip with his wife to watch the Tour de France. Sergio died of heart failure while powering a breakaway in a race. It gave pause to reflect on what is really important – riding, camaraderie, winning and longevity. The club Values Statement outlines what the Dropouts believe are important common values and guides decisions:
We acknowledge our special, long–lasting, organization. This uniqueness and longevity can be traced to the following values and guidelines of conduct:
• Value the friendship gained from cycling together. Think of people first.
• Support each other in balancing racing with outside goals and obligations.
• Treat our sponsors with integrity. Be an active and positive representative. Wear your jersey often.
• By keeping the club and racing fun, we succeed as individuals on and off our bikes.
•To keep the club's operations from burdening a few, participation in club affairs is required.
• Take racing seriously, but not too seriously.
"The club values participation over success," points out Silverberg. "It's hard enough to get people to starting line, let alone win."
With all the emphasis on fun and participation, the results have still
come. The Brazen Dropouts earned the Badger State Games Team Trophy in 1993 and 2001. Results include several USCF state championships (five in 2000) and many high finishes in Superweek races.
"A key success is the club," says former president White, "is not dependent on one person. A core group with intensity for club operations is always there. When one person's enthusiasm cools, another fills the gap and continuity has not been lost."
Executive, ad hoc, and standing committees refine issues for group discussion and approval by majority vote and consensus.
The race payback formula highlights the egalitarian spirit. Paybacks are equal without regard for the racer's category or results. All members benefit from wise financial stewardship and have an incentive to make fund–raising events successful. While the collective action of the group gets things done, members make
many individual contributions. Professional photographer Mickey Kienitz captures team events on film. Dropouts sported a red–white–black jersey through most of the '90s. Graphic designer Ben Neff's 2001 redesign drew a Jersey–of–the–Month award from jersey maker Voler. (See the jersey at www.voler.com.)
Is the team elitist because one can't just buy a jersey and join? Membership is limited due to low turnover in members and it is already the largest road club in Wisconsin. Members believe several local teams makes for better competition than one huge team with few rivals. Each autumn brings the Team Party. Highlights include awarding the
Rider–of–the–Year cup, "911 Award" for crashes, and many gag gifts – all delivered with a story and a good ribbing. Sponsors and local race officials often attend. The crowd enjoys The Walk Through Time, where a member dons one of every team jersey back to the original then removes them one–by–one as the history and stories are told.
Wheels on Willy
The 15th annual David Kagy Memorial Wheels on Willy Criterium (WOW) is May 19, 2002. Williamson Street on Madison's colorful East Side is an eclectic neighborhood that embraces the race and looks forward to giving up some streets for the day. Two light–hearted club members once applied for a permit for the "Crack House Criterium" from the city street use committee. WOW is now one of the largest and
best single–day races in the state. It typically draws over 300 riders and a strong category 1, 2, Pro field for the main event.
The cash prizes are large and the lap primes come fast and furious. Quality race announcing is provided for all races. The often–overlooked junior and 60–plus riders often seem startled to hear their names and tactics called over the loudspeakers. Another ingredient is extremely good luck with weather. Eight of the last 10 races have been dry.
Dropouts hail from the greater Madison area, but the club has sense of place, Cronometro is located on Williamson Street on the first turn of the WOW course and many longtime members live within blocks. Neighborhood businesses that donate prizes include a tattoo parlor, liquor store, natural foods cooperative, sewing center and hardware store. The nonprofit Commonwealth Development generously provides space for the race day command center.
Although it starts a little early for some tavern–goers, residents along the course love the Sunday event. While staking out the starting line a dozen years ago, Paul White went up the street 200 yards from Turn Four, knocked on a door, and met a great person. To this day, Carl Durocher donates his electricity, water and front yard for starting line support.
The Kids Race is quite popular. The field is broken into three heats,
based on size, for a dash to the finish line. The 2001 field included offspring of six Dropouts. Helmets are given to helmetless underprivileged kids. Veteran member Jon Bohman spearheads the effort with Group Health Cooperative HMO. All participants get a "Winner" ribbon and a cookie.
Craig Heywood, a United States Cycling Federation official since 1987, was asked about the Dropouts.
"They put a big push in events. They are well organized and think of the
little things. It's a lot more than slopping a race together and saying 'go race.' The finish line camera, sound system, registration and corner guards are all set up and running smoothly when we arrive. This helps officials – we don't have to worry about scrounging up volunteers, it prevents headaches in ensuring a safe race. The joking, friendly, low–key environment is good because as an official, I'm not worried about making a mistake and being blasted."
Silverberg touts a sane approach to event promotion, often saying, "many hands make light work – if it's a hassle, let's do less." New members understand this and are eager to do their part. Collective action and a proven formula get things done with each member contributing their own expertise.
The Bike Swap
The Brazen Dropouts Bicycle Swap Meet began at a monthly meeting with one rider saying "hey let's drag out our boxes of spare parts and have a swap." In January 1992, about 30 riders set up six card tables in the hallway outside the first Cronometro shop location. Some "vendors" spread blankets on the floor to dump a box of parts on. Each subsequent year saw some growth, and even the Motorola Cycling
Team began attending with its treasure trove of team wares.
The 11th annual version, held January 26, 2002, filled 20,000 square feet with 100 vendors and 1,200 swappers. A larger venue allowed a special Expo area, with trade show–type displays by Waterford Precision Cycles, Planet Bike and even the Lance Armstrong Foundation. The swap is a huge contribution to the local bike culture. The largest bike swap in the Midwest is held the Saturday before the
Super Bowl each year because the Dropouts want to train outside as the weather warms. The January slot also gives cyclists time to tweak their hardware before the season begins.
Doing More
A recent meeting included a proposal to nix the 10– to 12–year–old
juniors race at WOW due to low turnout and a tight race–day schedule. The members voted down the idea. They believe in junior development and want to do more for the cause. Cronometro is offering no–cost Intro to Bike Racing clinics on March 23 and 30 this year. Topics will include a bike fit and check, and Dropouts will serve as mentors for group riding, cornering and tactics drills, followed by a short practice race. O'Brien said, "The Dropouts are the riders I want to see new
riders learn from. They weren't stars the first time they raced. They've been where new riders are today."
Area cyclists have endured many quiet Dane County milk roads turned into commuter gridlock. The club leverages event proceeds by matching individual donations to the Bicycle Federation of Wisconsin and a grant to Wheels for Winners, the local earn–a–bike program for underprivileged youth. Dropouts also volunteer as Wheels for Winners mechanics.
While one race is required by the USCF, club members promote up to five races each year. Mike Holcomb's April Speedway events are held on a paved, banked, stock–car racing oval. Pete Berbee and comrades have run cyclocross events at Cam–Rock County Park since 1989.
With their size and commitment to participation, the Dropouts are a key to keeping the local road racing community going. The skinny tire scene is not healthy – some local teams are inactive and it is getting harder to
find good race venues.
"Resurrecting the local practice criteriums for 2002 will require a huge leap in volunteerism," says Silverberg. "The burden of the local racing scene is on our backs now. The old days when car traffic was lower and things were simple are gone."
The Sponsors
O'Brien founded Cronometro in 1989. It was a co–sponsor for '90 and '91 and became the major sponsor in '92. According to O'Brien, Cronometro sponsors the Dropouts, often called the "Cronometro Team," because he loves to ride with the group. Also, the team is Cronometro's only steady local advertising.
"The Dropouts are solid riders who enjoy competition and camaraderie. They are nice people to represent the store. When out riding, they are
pleasant to converse with, and they wear their helmets," says O'Brien.
"We're lucky for our involvement with Cronometro," says Silverberg. "The shop is so unique – how many pro shops thrive in 1,600 square feet with four staff?
"The jersey is recognized around the Wisconsin area. Cyclists know who the Dropouts and Cronometro are."
Team members enjoy that both O'Brien and business partner David Kohli train, race and participate fully with the club.
Other sponsors are connected with the team and cycling. Greg Meeker of Relles, Meeker and Borns Attorneys at Law, is a former national team racer who gives back to the community and the sport as a longtime sponsor. Planet Bike, a Madison–based bicycle accessories company, is also a multiyear sponsor. The owner, Bob Downs, is a former Dropout and another accomplished racer.
The Future
The Dropouts want to do more for the sport. O'Brien says the team is "figuring out what 'doing more' means. My desire is to lower the barriers of entry into racing. Most of us had to beat our way into the sport individually. We want to make things easier." Someday the Dropouts could split off a viable junior or women's team.
As for winning races, O'Brien, believes the "tactical effectiveness of the team is improving and more improvement will come." A warm–climate spring training camp would be a great future addition to the year.
What does the Dropouts future hold? The team has followed Colin O'Brien like the Pied Piper, from the beginning, and will likely stay with Cronometro's sponsorship. Due to their size and notoriety, the Dropouts might be ripe to switch to a bigger, richer, corporate
sponsors. This is unlikely and the club remains loyal to local and neighborhood sponsors. The success of the WOW race and the swap create a revenue cushion freeing the team of stress over sponsorship hawking.
There are dozens of Midwestern bicycle racing clubs, each with its own mix of strengths and successes. The Brazen Dropouts do it the cooperative way, while seeking a winning environment for individuals, the club, the sport of bicycle racing, and even the community they call
home. Not bad for a brazen bunch of dropouts.
| |
