Starting racing

So, I need to get more experience riding in a group and get a bit faster first, but what steps do I need to take to get racing?

Am I right in thinking I need BC Silver membership and a Race licence? Then do I just rock up on the day and enter, or do you pre-enter?

Which races should I enter?

Being light I guess a hilly / undulating circuit would suit me... do such things exist or should I just do Mountbatten and learn how to sprint?

What sort of training should I do for racing? If all races finish in a sprint should I just practice that? Or should I just get out and ride and not bother with specifics until I'm half decent?

Hi Tom,

Yes you need a Silver BC membership and a racing license in order to race. Allow a couple of weeks to get this as once you sign up and pay your fees British Cycling will process it and send to Dave Gwilliam as our BC representative and then he's got to get it to you.

With regards to racing as you live in Portsmouth it is easier to start racing at Mountbatten, I think you're fit and fast enough already for Cat 4 racing but don't relax as there's a big difference between sitting in the pack waiting for a sprint finish and trying to gain a lap in a breakaway group (or solo as I attempted a few times last year).

Look at the British Cycling website under 'events' for races you can do. Also have a look at Surrey League where you will find more road racing that will be hillier.

Training wise, keep riding, stay fit, do the Wednesday sessions as you are, possibly try one or two of Chester's sessions on a Monday night (7.30pm at the track, cost £5) as he is gearing it more towards racing tactics and techniques rather than simply riding around like we do on a Wednesday, which is good for fitness. As the weather improves there'll probably be a Saturday morning 'chaingang' which we do as a faster ride covering about 20-25 miles at almost race pace.

Chat on Saturday...

Jerry

well, I've put in for my membership and race licence.

So... do I have to wait until all my documents arrive to race? Or could I race this weekend with just my BC number?

Should be ok with just your membership number mate, I think Paul Giles is doing the same.

mozzy wrote:So... do I have to wait until all my documents arrive to race? Or could I race this weekend with just my BC number?

Sign in to BC website and print the ( https://www.britishcycling.org.uk/dashboard?#My_Membership ) membership page of your dashboard which shows you have purchased a racing license.

Cool, printed of my dashboard membership page.

I was looking to pre-enter but I see this ended on the 3rd of Feb. What time do entries open on the day and how many people do they allow in the field? I see there's already 10 entered for the 4th Cat race.

Just sign on in the morning, usually have up to 40ish riders in a race, you should be fine. Saying that tho, there could be a mad influx of new racers raring to go so get in there first!!!

If you haven't got your documents yet, give British Cycling membership a call on 01612742010 and they can email you a temporary licence to print out and use. The organisers will definetly accept it and allow you to race, apparently.

I can't get through. I'll just have to hope they'll be fine with the print out from my dashboard.

What time should I show up on Sunday to register and warm up? My start is at 1000.

Hi Mozzy,

I'm getting there about 9:30 to sign on.

We can team up on the track and help each other round.

Great. I don't have team kit yet so might be hard to spot but I'll be on a all black carbon bike (no decals) and wearing a white and red top, so please introduce yourself.

See you Sunday.

Well done all of you today, great to see (although I only caught the E/1/2/3 race). Great to have a PNE winner in the 4th cat, good effort everyone

Yeah brilliant race guys, looking forward to watching that all season! Results are up on south bc website http://t.co/JBSj7kX6

There's a full gallery here: http://www.grahamrobins.net/photos/Mountbatten%20Circuit%20Races%201_2013