USA Cycling Certified

I (Jason Gardner) am now a certified race mechanic by USA Cycling. I spent March 12-15 in Colorado Springs at the Olympic Training Center attending the Bill Woodul Mechanic's Clinic. Instructors from various parts of the bicycle industry came from all over the country to spend four days teaching mechanics how to perform technical support in race situations. I am now one of less than 20 USA Cycling certified mechanics in the state of Colorado. We spent four days in classes covering a wide range of topics like operating neutral support, roadside wheel and bike change, mobile support, team support, criterium pit operation, mountain bike pit operation, track pit operation, wheel philosophy, frame materials, bicycle design, tubular tire design and proper gluing method, and even officiating. We were privileged to have many noteworthy instructors. I would like to thank each for coming and investing their time in us. Justin and Greg from USA Cycling, Calvin Jones from Park Tool, Ric Herjtberg of Wheelsmith, FSA, and wheelfanatyk, Chris Clinton from ProMechanics and Bontrager, Dave Arunakas from Shimano, Matt Bracken from Pedro's (formerly of Independent Fabrications), Mike Niemiec, head of Mavic neutral support, T.J. Grove of USA Cycling, and Mike Hall of SRM. Their experience and instruction has made me a more knowledgeable mechanic and I am thankful for their efforts.

So, what does USA Cycling certification mean?

1. It allows me to get a USA Cycling mechanics license which qualifies me to work neutral or team race support in road biking, track racing, cyclocross, mtb, and bmx in USA Cycling sponsored races.

2. It can allow me to work as a team mechanic.

3. It gives me an added credibility to work as neutral support for non USA Cycling races (like ACA).

4. It is part of Jinji Cycles' core value of Always Learning which pushes me to continue improving in my field.

5. It gives my customers a greater confidence knowing that their mechanic is certified by the official governing body for cycle racing in the U.S.

6. It gives Jinji Cycles an advantage since very few mechanics in area are USA Cycling certified.

I am thankful and excited about this opportunity and it is one more spoke in the wheel that keeps Jinji Cycles rolling forward. (like the cute cycling metaphor?)