What is the A.C.A.? American Cycling Association is the expanded version of a successful state cycling organization formerly known as B.R.A.C. (Bicycle Racing Association of Colorado). BRAC is still our main corporation which is a 501(c) 3 Non-Profit Association.

The name change for the year 2000 and beyond reflects the successful implementation of our core philosophy: "To promote the sport of bicycle racing, to develop local, regional and international competitions, and to coordinate club activities to insure a season of scheduled bicycle races in the United States."

The 1999 racing season in Colorado saw a dramatic change in its format. Club members of B.R.A.C. voted to have the Executive Committee, and the specifically the Executive Director, chart a new course of action for promoting the sport within the states boundaries. The most notable act was to procure an insurance policy aimed at protecting both the rider and the promoter to satisfactory level. The second act, was reducing fees to promoters in order for them to put monies back into their events, thereby allowing for the increased likelihood of a quality event. Lastly, to provide a solid infrastructure to promote the sport via various measures including such things as: standard rule book, officiating clinics, and a quality upgrading system and race kit supplies.

B.R.A.C. has existed as a member District Association since 1976 and has always provided the local support named above, except for the insurance coverage. The organization has always been the source of information for the racing community in Colorado. The organization has had a successful ranking system for many years knows as: BAR/BAT, Best All-around Rider and Best All-around Team. This has been a long running competition to see how one stacks up with their fellow racers in the state. This ranking system attempts to cover all of the disciplines, but mainly focuses on the road racing side of the house.

B.R.A.C./A.C.A. saw an upsurge in membership, both individual and club, and increased rider days. In the state of Colorado, B.R.A.C./A.C.A. permitted 80 events of the roughly 130 known permitted races, including C.V.A. individual events, during 1999. This accounted for approximately 15,000 rider days upon which we had only three known race incidents. This can be attributed to the quality of the events the promoters are achieving. Nothing is foolproof nor will A.C.A. relax in its diligence in help fostering a safe racing environment.

A.C.A. can tout all of the statistics and figures until we are blue in the face, but what we can offer is the measurable level of satisfaction of our services as evidenced by the name change. Why is a name change such a measurable factor? It is because of the addition of several states desiring our services whereby we can no longer be just known as an organization that services the state of Colorado. We are servicing new states that desire a more focused attention on the masses of bicycle racing: those minions that serve as the base foundation for the pyramid of growth. Those maybe the weekend warrior to the aspiring junior, to the regimented master who likes to keep themselves mentally and physically fit for the rigors of the working world.

The A.C.A. Executive Committee is made up of 5 volunteers, voted in by the member clubs, who all race or have raced and have a deep conviction to keep the racing open to the masses. We have a part time Executive Director, who commits a full time schedule to delivering the quality service that Colorado has come to depend upon and to which our new states will realize with their new affiliation. We also have a local representative within each state to help facilitate communication between the local level and the Executive Director and Executive Committee. As with everything in this world, this will change depending upon the requirements and desires of the representative states. What we envision in the near future is a one to two fulltime staffed office that can fully satisfy and attempt to exceed our members expectations. This all depends upon more successful years of racing. However, if 1999 is any indication of our first year in business, look out for great things!

Thanks to all whom have made it a success: the promoters, the clubs and most of all the racers.