ROAD RACING
Many club members compete in Road racing events throughout the year. There are many different forms of road racing, depending on ability, age and preference.
Road racing age categories are Youth (8-16); Junior (16-18); Senior (>18) and Masters (>40). Races have female and open categories.
For British Cycling based events, Senior category riders are differentiated by license category, with options ranging from Elite, 1st category, 2nd category, 3rd category and 4th category. Riders move up categories once they have accumulated sufficient points awarded from race results in a season.
Youth (8-16) road racing is held on closed circuits across the country. Examples being Mallory Park, CycloPark Kent, Redbridge Surrey, Darley Moor, Blyton Park Motor racing circuit, MK Bowl and Curborough.
Once riders progress to the junior ranks (16-18 yrs) they can compete in road events. These are typically held on open roads, with marshal vehicles at the head and tail of the race for rider safety and are held over a pre-determined lap or number of laps. Races generally begin in a ‘neutralised’ form – allowing the peloton to group-up before racing commences. Races can either be stand-alone events of part of a league or series.
Circuit Races begin from a standing start and are shorter than road races, often only lasting an hour for junior and senior riders. Closed road circuits often have demanding corners with lots of braking, accelerating and cornering, demanding power and riding skill.
Often called ‘criterium’ (or crit for short), these races are most often part of a league that lasts all season, allowing riders to compete for overall victory.
Other variants are available such as handicap-based events, giving riders timed gaps between groups of differing ability riders; slowest riders first, with fastest riders going in the ‘scratch’ or last group, with the aim to catch all the groups in front and win the race.
The majority of events in the UK are run under British Cycling rules and are available to enter online via the BC website. BC membership is required to enter these events. Other popular options include National TLI cycling leagues and British Masters Cycle Racing (BMCR).
