Road (mass start) racing.

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“Road racing” usually falls into two categories: racing on the open road or circuit racing which takes place on closed (traffic free) circuits such as airfields or motor racing circuits and on purpose built facilities. On the open road, very few events are subject of road closures and whilst traffic is to an extent controlled by marshals and by officials in cars and on motorcycles, most run alongside normal traffic but in relatively traffic free areas. As a result, you need to travel outside of London to access this type of racing. Circuit racing tends to be on a shorter circuit than out on the open road. Many circuit events run on summer evenings rather than the weekend and are typically over 25 to 40 miles. Races frequently see men and women alongside each other, albeit there are an increasing number of events solely for women.

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In some races (particularly on the open road) all riders start together with a short “neutralised” zone where no actual racing is allowed before racing properly starts. In closed circuit racing, groups often start a minute or two apart in ability or age categories. In general terms first over the line wins. In more developed and structured racing there may be intermediate points awarded called primes part way through the race for first over a virtual winning line or at the top of a hill which then contribute to overall winners.

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Shorter races over closed circuits (either on the road or a permanently closed circuit) involving repetitive laps are often referred to as criteriums or crits. These are hard, fast races with little respite, but age and ability categorisation allow beginners or less fit or skilful riders to take part.

 

British Cycling

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The national body governing road (and track) racing is British Cycling (www.britishcycling.org.uk).  British Cycling maintains the national teams and is the largest and most comprehensive organisation in this field.

Membership is at either Gold, Silver or Bronze level, and costs £76, £44 and £24 respectively. To race you will need either a Silver or Gold membership, albeit day licences are available for British Cycling events (Provisional licences which are issued to Bronze members secure a discount on a day racing licence). The only exception to this are Go-Ride events where no licence is required. Go-Ride is very much the entry level to racing.

Races are then categorised as National A and B, Regional A, Regional B, Regional C+ or Regional C. Regional C is the most accessible. Riders earn points for placings in races and move up through the categories as points are earned.

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The Surrey League

 

We are very fortunate in this area to have an organisation and event series called the Surrey League (www.surreyleague.co.uk). This is a comprehensive series of road and circuit racing, including women and veterans, run under the auspices of British Cycling. Private memberships and day licences for Surrey League events are allowed. There are standard entry fees of £20 for the road and £15 for circuits. At present Kingston Phoenix are not an affiliated club due to the requirement for such a club to run two events annually. The only available option is to race as a private member or on a day licence. The Surrey League promote approximately 150 races every year.

 

The League of Veteran Racing Cyclists (LVRC)

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The LVRC (www.lvrc.org.uk) provides racing on the road, closed circuit, cyclo-cross and track for men and women over 40. This is a very professional and properly run organisation, providing a comprehensive series of racing and it has an international footprint. Racing is based on 5-year age categories, but except for national championship and national series events riders can ride in categories above their actual age.

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The annual membership fee is £25 and race entry fees must not exceed £15. Members enter their local Region, which for us will be Region 9 (London and South East England) but as a member you can enter any event in the UK. There is no day licence facility within the LVRC.  In 2018 there were a large number of LVRC events, both on the road and closed circuits throughout the South East.

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The League International

 

The most informal, cheapest and easiest way to race is in events provided by clubs in conjunction with an organisation called The League International (www.tlicycling.org.uk).

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To race on the road you will need to be a member (£15 annually, running from 1 January to 31 December) whilst organisers of events on closed circuits allow a "day licence" costing £5. Both types of events then include an event specific entry fee.

 

Racing is based on age categories: 18 to 29. 30 to 39. 40 to 44 and in 5 year age groups up to 75+.

 

There are season long competitions and national championships. Unfortunately, the majority of TLI racing is not in London or the South East, with the only series in 2018 being held at North Weald aerodrome in Essex.