Has USA Cycling lost it's way?

Quick...what's the first thing that comes to mind when you hear the words "USA Cycling."

...

Well...?

...

That's right...nothing! Zip. Zilch. Null. Na-da. Wrapped in a big fat zero.

I've sniped about USA Cycling before, but I'm trying. I really am trying to pay attention to the information that spews forth from this staid and stoic organization. See, I'd like to know more about the organization of professional cycling both mountain and road. I really want to know more about who the pros are and the significance of the races that they win.

From my perspective the whole pro scene is like some big old black box that you have to be an insider to understand. Ordinary lay people get a glimpse into the scene once a year during the Tour de France and still have no idea why half the riders even bother. And, forget about the mountain biking scene, without total immersion it's impossible to follow.

So I figure, go to the source (at least in the U.S.). I subscribed to the USA Cycling news feed (I'll give them credit for going that far). But, very few of the articles compel me to read them. They are written in press release format and simply say "so and so won such and such race." What is the significance of the race? Is it part of a series? How does if fit into the landscape of races in that category? Is this the first win for the racer? Any noteworthy events?

And, how about providing some links to the event Web site? Maybe the riders bio or Site? Is there some video online? Or what about some news stories on blogs or in the press?

Links? Oh that's right...it would be hard to do...considering the newsletter - the "E" newsletter - is produced in .pdf format (warning - hideous, amateur layout wrapped in bloated technology to follow). USA Cycling...do you really think people are printing this out on their color printers to the tune of 59 cents a sheet and curling up for a good read on a Sunday morning?

Ok...listen here USA Cycling. I'm sure there are some really good people there. I don't mean to rip you to shreds for no reason. Yes I know this is a bit of a rant, but maybe something constructive can come of it. You've just lost your way. But, hope is not lost. Just ask yourself "who are we serving?" "Why are we serving them?" "What do they want?" Maybe ask some people.

And yes, I know  you are going to say that your most important audience is the riders and not the general public. After all, they are the ones paying the bills. But, you must look beyond. You really owe it to yourself to serve cyclists and cycling fans of all kinds. Even the pharmaceutical companies have figured out that you're more successful when you go straight to the patients, even though the doctors are theoretically the "buyer."