2025 Rider Feedback Survey

Posted onAuthorMelissa A

Thanks to the 104 folks that took the time to respond to our survey. I owe a response to those of you that gave us your contact information, offering to chat more about the NCNCA and what we can do better. Expect to hear from me shortly. Here were some of the key takeaways (full survey responses): 

  • 56% of of you raced in 1-9 NCNCA races in 2025, and 10-19 races overall
  • Berkeley HIlls Road Race, Winters Road Race, and Pescadero Road Race were the top three most popular races
  • Beat the Clock TT, University Road Race, and Wards Ferry Road Race were the three least popular races
  • Racers come to NCNCA races for the: course, race experience, and the field. Folks love races that are closer to the SF Bay Area and Sacramento, and want to see better race promotion in advance of the race 
  • Here’s one quote that I really think captures the spirit of the survey feedback, “Would love to see more race options that are close to SF. Would love to see races get promoted more robustly so that field sizes are bigger.”

Based on the above feedback and discussions with the NCNCA Board, our number one priority is to maintain ridership and work to increase average field sizes by at least 10% YoY. In addition, Velo Promo will no longer be putting on the same volume of races in 2027. We want to ensure a smooth transition of a portion of the races to member clubs. 

A more detailed list of our focus areas is outlined below so you can see all the areas the NCNCA Board is focused on to maintain and improve ridership. 

  • Share the Stoke:
    • New Racers: Provide mentoring opportunities through the Early Bird Series and club outreach to help develop athletes new to bicycle racing
    • Juniors: Grow the number of riders at events and community rides
    • Women’s Series: Offer a dynamic, diverse, and exciting series of races for women’s fields
  • Maintain a Healthy Racing Ecosystem:
    • Create, solicit feedback, and launch a Racing Event Calendar Process (in conjunction with Clubs and Promoters), with the goal of eliminating event overlaps with other key events in the NCNCA district. Improve communication with SCNCA to provide better alignment and the potential to increase the overall pool of racers at California events.  
    • Launch a Promoter Playbook to share best practices and help streamline promoter work to more easily put on races. Take one Promoter recommendation to USAC for consideration (based on Promoter feedback from January 2026 meeting).
  • Something (and Someone) New:
    • Hold a California-wide road race and criterium championships to boost the racer pool and generate fun, rewarding competition
    • Reach out to clubs and race promoters to take on a new event of their own
    • Increase social media marketing campaigns to drive more awareness to races. Partner with clubs and influencers on cross-promotion
    • Reach out to racers and clubs to get more folks involved in the NCNCA Board.

I hope you are as stoked as I am to race your bicycle this coming season. We’re only a few weeks away from the Early Bird Race Series and a time for new riders to come out and hone their skills with amazing mentoring from Freddy Rodriguez and Team. I am hoping to see you all out at the races this year!

Brian, on behalf of the NCNCA Board