Skills and Time Trials Club Champs events are done and dusted, and next up on Saturday 1st October, it’s time for the ever popular Road Races Club Champs event. It promises to be an exciting morning, and we would like to see all of you taking part. This is your opportunity to try something different, so whether you are a regular mountain biker, a beginner to road racing, or you have never cycled on the circuit – do give it a go!
Remember every Club Champs event gains you some points – even just for taking part – and it’s all in the interest of healthy competition and FUN. There is an FAQ page here on the Club Champs you can refer to if you have any questions, but for those of you coming along on Saturday, read on to find out a bit more about what you can expect when you compete in the Road Races event… Check out our Flickr album here to enjoy a few photos from last year’s rather wet event!
As ever, please do read on right until the end of this blog to make sure you are clear on the time slots and what to expect, and parents do kindly pass this information onto our members – they are the ones who need to know what is happening!
Sign On & Schedule for Road Races
Please help avoid disappointment by ensuring you plan your journey with some contingency, and arrive in good time so members can sign on and get ready with minimal fuss. The Admin Team have a LOT to get ready to support the judges, and unfortunately latecomers will not be allowed to sign on. So if you wish to take part in your event, please be on time and ready to go at 9.30am – there is no sign on outside the times notes below.
- Early Sign-On Session: 8am – 8.25am
- This is ONLY for members who are second year U12 (i.e. born in 2004) and older who will be attending the early performance training session. This will be run under the usual rules here.
- Make your way to the Clubhouse to sign on with payment and be ready to ride by 8.30am sharp.
- Regular Sign-On Session: 8.45am – 9.30am
- This is for everyone else not doing the early session – come to the Clubhouse as normal to sign on with payment.
- IMPORTANT: if you are late, you will not be able to take part in your race, so please be on time to avoid disappointment. We will not be signing anyone on after 9.30am. No exceptions.
Do I Have to Race – Can I Join my Usual Coaching Group?
You don’t have to race if you don’t want, but we’d encourage all our members to give it a go – there is a race for all of you, and it’s always good fun. However, if you really don’t want to race:
- There will be a Bronze Development skills session on the apron as usual – our new inductees will be joining this session
- Mountain Bike Development will be on – for those of you who have passed your Bronze (MTB or Circuit) assessment you are welcome to join in before or after your race.
- There will be no Silver or Gold Development sessions on Saturday.
What Bikes Are Permitted – I don’t Have a Road Bike?
Only road bikes and cyclo-cross bikes with drop handle bars are allowed. Flat barred (MTB or hybrid) bikes or any bikes with disc brakes are NOT permitted. Bike categorisation will, of course, be at the discretion of the Head Coach. We’d really like to see as many of you as possible take part – regardless of whether you are a track, cyclo-cross or mountain bike rider – so if you don’t have a road bike of your own, make your way over to the Mechanic’s Hut and there will be some available to hire.
Will There be Gear checks?
Absolutely! As soon as you have signed on, you will need to make your way to the Mechanic’s Hut to have your bike gear checked. Please ensure you will leave enough time BEFORE your race start time to warm-up and be gear-checked. Each bike will be stickered once checked by the Mechanics, which will then be double checked by the Officials at the start line – if there is no sticker on your bike, you will not be allowed to race. No exceptions. If you don’t understand the gear ratios, click here to find out more.
To be clear: sign on first, then gear checks. If you haven’t signed on you will be sent straight back to the clubhouse to do so. Please pay attention to the timings below to make sure you leave enough time.
Races Running Order – PLEASE TAKE NOTE OF YOUR TIME SLOTS:
The race schedule is fixed, and riders will need to ensure enough time for sign on, warm-up, gear checking and getting to the start line on time. Please read below very carefully to make sure you know when you are racing, and how much time you have to get organised.
Club Champs Activity |
A Few Notes
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Sign On – Early Session. Older Riders Only – 08:00 – 08.15 |
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Early Session: 8.30 – 9.30amOlder riders only – usual rules apply i.e. 2nd year U12 and older |
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Sign On – Main Session. ALL AGES – 08:45 – 09:30 |
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Warm-Up – 9.30am
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Riding UpRiding up will NOT be permitted. Please kindly refrain from asking – the answer is no. If you’d like to understand why, read this. What Else Is On?Bronze skills development on the apron for those not wanting to race. Inductees to join this group. Mountain biking for members wanting to practice a bit of off-road skills. Must have passed Bronze on the apron first to join this group. Warming Up
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Race 1 – 9.45am: 40 Minutes
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Race 2 – 10.45am: 15 Minutes
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Race 3: U10 – 11.10am: 20 Minutes
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Race 4 – 11.45am: 30 Minutes
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As soon as you have finished your race, we’d encourage you to stick around and cheer on your fellow Members. However, if you must leave feel free to do so but please return your number and let sign on know you are going home.
Parent and Young Volunteers Needed
We will need your help with marshalling and officiating! Parents who are waiting around for your child’s race/s, please make yourselves known to the Coaches on Saturday so you can be delegated a task to help. We need more of you to step up and assist – a free cuppa waits for you afterwards, as well as our immense gratitude!
Finally…
Parents please ensure children taking part are aware of the content in this post and what to expect for their Road Race event. As a reminder, after this event the remaining two Club Champs coming up are Mountain Biking on the 5th November, and Track at the Calshot Velodrome on the 19th November. We would love to see you all taking part this year – so participate, give it your best, and let’s all have a good time!
As usual, keep an eye out on Twitter for the latest updates and if you have any questions, please contact the Admin Team (email contacts are in your newsletter).