Do I need a USA Cycling membership for Gone Riding races?

Updated

Gone Riding's own site points riders to USA Cycling membership: the homepage asks, "Do you need to get or renew your USA Cycling membership?" and offers a $25 discount code for several license types. That tells you membership is part of the Gone Riding race process, but the site does not state that every rider in every event category must hold one. Treat it as something to confirm for your specific race rather than a blanket rule.

What the Gone Riding site actually says

The homepage carries a membership prompt with a discount offer:

  • Code: GR2023
  • Discount: $25 off
  • Eligible licenses: Junior, Junior+, Race, Race+, Collegiate, Collegiate+
  • Expiration: 12/31/23

That is the full extent of the membership information on the page. There is no statement that membership is mandatory for all entrants, and no explanation of how membership is checked at registration.

Who the discount applies to

The eligible license list maps to USA Cycling's rider categories rather than to Gone Riding's own event types:

License type Likely rider
Junior / Junior+ Youth riders
Race / Race+ Standard adult racing licenses
Collegiate / Collegiate+ College riders

If you race in one of these categories, the code is aimed at you. If your situation falls outside this list, the site gives no guidance — check with USA Cycling or the event organizer directly.

How to use the code

  1. Go to USA Cycling's membership page (the Gone Riding homepage links out for this).
  2. Choose the license type that matches your category — Junior, Junior+, Race, Race+, Collegiate, or Collegiate+.
  3. Enter GR2023 at checkout to take $25 off.
  4. Complete the purchase and keep your license number for race registration.

The code was set to expire 12/31/23, so it may no longer be valid. If it fails, look for a current code on the Gone Riding site or ask the organizer.

Before you register for a race

  • Confirm the requirement for your event. Gone Riding promotes cross country, endurance, and gravel racing, and requirements can differ by event and category. The homepage does not spell this out.
  • Check your license status early. Renewals and new memberships can take time to process, and you do not want that pending on race week.
  • Watch for one-day options. Many USA Cycling–sanctioned events offer a one-day license for riders without an annual membership. The Gone Riding page does not mention this, so ask the promoter if you only plan to race once.

The short answer

Gone Riding's site directs riders to USA Cycling membership and offers a $25 discount (code GR2023) for Junior, Junior+, Race, Race+, Collegiate, and Collegiate+ licenses, valid through 12/31/23. Whether you specifically need a membership depends on your event and category — confirm that with Gone Riding or USA Cycling before you register, and check whether the code is still active.