How do we take everyday riders and triathletes and develop them into great criterium racers?

Some of our triathletes that have done very well at racing their bike: Jim Wiznura, Tommy Nelson, and Tommy Robles!  Have you observed how many bicyclists attend fun rides, charity rides, and club/team rides?  Have you seen how many triathletes are racing and training in California?  Everyone loves to ride a bike, and some of those also like and want to compete.  CBR's biggest growth has come from these two categories: the competitive rider and the triathlete.  How can we assist and motivate those that are interested in (at least) attempting to make the transition from rider to racer?  How can we attract them into a criterium-style race?  How can we grow and at the same time, give others the opportunity to improve and challenge themselves?
Criterium-style events are bike races where the course is usually 0.5-1.0 miles in length, and it takes many laps to complete the race.  Depending upon the course, there are usually four (4) corners per lap, and that makes for many, many laps in a race.  It can be somewhat daunting for a new racer to even start an event like this, but we do our very best to (initially) provide safe courses and corners that are simple, easy, and not technical.  By easing new racers into an event like this, it gives them the chance to "get their feet wet," and to decide if they like it and want to challenge themselves by either upgrading or racing more technical courses.
TRIATHLETES. Historically, triathletes don't race in groups; they are strong time trialists who also possess the physical stamina to run and swim competitively.  We've had great success in making triathletes better.  How do we do that?  By giving them the tools to improve their speed and power (criterium races) and at the same time, they improve their bike handling abilities by learning how to corner in a group, by learning how to protect their front wheel from other racers, and they learn to observe the unique traits & qualities of both good and bad bike handlers.  believe it or not, you can learb just as much from a bad bike handler (what not to do) as you can from a good bike handler (what you should strive to do).  At CBR, we've had a lot of triathletes who have either wanted to improve their bike-leg ability, or they're realizing that there's no longer enough time to train for all three legs (run, bike, swim), so they want to compete in cycling-only events.
BICYCLISTS.  Our biggest growth has also come cyclists who compete against themselves in charitable and fun rides.  Who is this?  This person rides a bike and usually does a cycling event and keeps track of their time.  In effect, they are trying to best their previous time and competing against themselves.  When a rider "races against the clock" in this manner, it is this racer who has the best chance of making a successful transition to racer.  In actuality, the bicyclist who wants to race has the best chance of becoming a racer!  Anyone can teach you race fitness, race training, and race tactics; what you really need is the motivation and the drive to want to race.  Racing your bike in a criterium is no more hectic than riding down PCH where you jockey your position with other cyclists, cars, and buses.  in fact, racing is safer because you're racing with your peers on a closed course.  Your racing category determines your skill level and ability.  While some like to race their age-graded category [like Masters racers ages 50-54], those racers will discover that while different levels may exist between racers aged 50-54, there is a general similarity in ability.  For most, it's a matter of preference.  Does a new racer, aged 47, really want to race with the younger Cat. V racers, or would they prefer to race the Masters 40+ IV/V category?  Generally, the newer Masters racers enjoy racing with those who share the same age...this is why we offer the Masters 40+ IV/V category.  CBR's discovered that this is a growing category where people over the age of 40 have been riding a bike for years yet are new to racing.  this is the perfect category for them: they have the best of both worlds, similarities in both age and ability!

updated 12/19/05: check this article from time to time, as it will continue to grow!