Is it that time again? Not long now before the start of British Summer Time – and that signals the beginning of the Slipstreamers race calendar for 2016. The Slipstreamers Youth Summer Series, incorporating our Go-Ride Race Series, is almost here and there is something for everyone, so do read on to find out more…
First Up – Coach Led Sessions…
As with last year, we will kick off events with a series of coach led racing sessions to get everyone familiar with racing at Hillingdon. These 3 sessions in April will be open to everyone and not just Slipstreamers, so do come along – a great way to work on tactics, safety, etiquette, and get to know fellow racers and try something new. Click here for a recap of how things went down last year.
Followed By Some Racing…
Youth Summer Series – 14 Events
Starting in May, we will start the 14 rounds of the Youth Summer Series – click here for a recap of the first few races last year. Once again, we are looking to maximise the use of available light whilst giving everyone a good racing distance, so races are set to begin promptly. Do please take note of the varying times and distances in the schedule, and allow enough time for sign on, warm up and getting to the start line on time. These are youth only events, so we get the circuit to ourselves and do not have to rush.
Go-Ride Race Series – 6 Events
In the middle of the Youth Summer Series we are again holding our Go-Ride Race Series. These races are specifically aimed at beginners and will have 6 different race events including skills, team relay, time trial, sprint knockout, a handicap race, and a scratch race. Don’t worry if you want to race, but you aren’t sure what all of what you’ve just read means – simply turn up for the events that you are able to, and the volunteers will make sure you are up to speed in no time. All participants of Go-Ride will receive certificates and other great goodies.
At the end of each respective series, the trophies for Series winners will be presented. Remember – there are series points so the more races you enter, the more chance you have of picking up a trophy! For a recap of the 2015 Youth & Go-Ride Summer Series winners, visit this page here.
Full details and booking information for Youth and Go-Ride races are available via the British Cycling website here.
Finally…
If you haven’t already, download our handy guide to all race events planned for both series this year and print a few copies for the fridge door (to remind your parents that for the next few months Monday evenings are YOUR time!); your bedroom wall (nestled right between your revision planner and rock star posters!); or perhaps to carry around with you just in case you bump into fellow young people at school or other clubs that may be interested in giving it a go. We’d love to see many more of you racing this year, so help us spread the word!
With all this planned, we will also need volunteers to help make it work. So parents, guardians, aunties, uncles, friends – if you feel you have what it takes to get involved with any aspect of the organisation before or on the day, even for just 30 minutes, please do let us know. We will be very keen to hear from anyone who can assist in judging, marshalling, sign-on, catering, or any of the other important tasks involved.
Remember all the info you need is on our handy little printable guide here as well as on British Cycling website here. For those of you who prefer everything in a single view, the table below shows a handy guide to all our race events coming up.
[ultimatetables 2 /]
As usual, keep an eye out on Twitter and the News Hub for any updates. We will be sending reminders closer to each workshop/ training event/ race, as well as further details as normal. In the interim, the admin team are happy to field any questions you may have, and indeed accept any offers of volunteer assistance, so do email as normal.