Road/Track Racing Round-up
LWCC Crits are now live on the British Cycling website. Three consecutive Thursdays in June – 6th, 13th and 20th. Would be great to have a full LWCC team at the races – spaces for 7 riders on the team.
https://www.britishcycling.org.uk/events/details/194509/Lewes-Wanderers-Crits-Race-1-2019
LWCC Chain Gang – Starts Wed 3rd April – 6pm, Golden Cross car park. Then every Wed for 9 weeks.
Any Wanderers who have not tried road or track racing and are interested, do come along to the chain gang in April. Each session is 3 laps of the Golden Cross, Ripe, Chalvington circuit, with a re-group between each lap. CG is a great way of honing your skills for riding in close proximity and usually breaks down into an A and B group.
Novice Road Race Training days
These are a great way to introduce yourself to road racing. Both Surrey and Serrl require all 4th Cat riders to have done two of these courses to take part in their races.
The nearest location – held at Ardingly showground by PB Coaching – http://pbcyclecoaching.co.uk/additional-date-for-novice-racers-coaching-days-28th-april
Next one is Sun 28th April. If you get in touch with Paul Butler at PB he might be able to get you on the March date – Sat 23rd March, Ardingly. It is full at present but he may hold a reserve list.
Keep an eye on the PB coaching blog for further Ardingly dates. Alternatively you can go further afield to Hillingdon on Sun 21st April – https://www.surreyleague.co.uk/event-directory/
Road/Track racing within 50 miles travel from Lewes
Preston Park, Brighton – Sussex Cycle Racing League – http://scrl.co.uk/
Track racing league (fixed wheel), 18 weeks from April to August and a circuit series (road race bike) in Brighton. Accreditation needed for the track league.
Women’s and men’s circuit races – Sunday 17th, 24th and 31st March. Then every two weeks from Friday May 17th until 26th July.
LVRC – Races in the South East – http://www.lvrc.org.uk/
Reposting Dom and Bob’s summaries –
The LVRC (League of Veteran Racing Cyclists) organizes road, CX, track and circuit races for veterans (over 40). Racing is against riders of similar age, although you can elect to race in a band above or below your age. The standard of racing is fairly high, competitive and safe (many experienced cyclists including ex-pros and Olympians). Annual subscription for a race licence is £15, and most races cost £20. You do not need a BC licence or a cat 4 accreditation. If anybody fancies a go – entry is through RiderHQ and then search on LVRC events. I have entered a LVRC 55-mile RR North London on 28th April – anybody interested in joining me, let me know.
Heads up for some local LVRC road races this year:
12 May Dunsfold (Fast and flat)
19 May Chailey (Good circuit including Deadmantree Hill)
30 June Chailey again
14 July Ladies Mile (just north of Crowborough
You will need an LVRC race licence (about 20 quid) plus enter early ‘cos the races sell out quickly.
Surrey Cycle Racing League – https://www.surreyleague.co.uk/
Open road and closed circuit races.
I believe these are only open to LWCC riders (as club is not affiliated) 21 days before the event online, or on the day. So subject to selling out.
The Dunsfold 4th cat races are a great way for novice racers to get experience – two day training day compulsory.
South East Road Racing League (SERRL) – https://www.southeastroadraceleague.com/page/page/9036816.htm
Open road races. You can enter SERRL races as a non-affiliated rider but priority goes to affiliated riders. You can affiliate as an individual for £20 (the club does not need to be affiliated), but you will need to volunteer for two events that you are not racing in.
Crits at the Park – Cyclopark, Gravesend – https://www.britishcycling.org.uk/events/details/196788/Crits-at-the-Park-1
Actually only 37 miles away! Takes about 1hr 20mins to get there.
4th& 3rd cat races and then E,1,2,3’s for women and men. These races are two weekly starting from Sat 27th April. 8 races in the series.
An excellent way to get 4th cat points on a really exciting purpose built cycling circuit and training course/accreditation is not compulsory. Good stepping stone to open road races.
Hove Park Crits – https://www.britishcycling.org.uk/events/details/194413/Hove-Park-Crits-2019-1
Circuit races in Hove Park. Fridays 7th and 21st June and 5th July. Fast paced races – 3/4’s for women and men, 2/3’s for men and girls and boys under 16’s.
Eastbourne Cycling Festival, 27th and 28th July – https://www.eastbournecyclingfestival.com/
The racing at Eastbourne has been re-vamped this year after they took a year off last year. With Elite road races for women and men (Saturday and Sunday respectively) on the Beachy Head circuit, it is going to be great spectating even if you don’t race.
They are also hosting the 2019 BC regional Youth Champs.
Closed circuit Crit races –
2, 3, 4’s for women on Saturday. Separate 3’s and 4’s for men on Sunday. The Crits circuit has been extended this year. This can only be a good thing as it will stretch the fields out more quickly and riders will potentially lose sight of each other.
Tour of Sussex – https://www.tourofsussex.com/
Five stages over 3 days.
Women’s – 23rd – 26th May – E,1,2,3,4’s
Men’s – 4th – 7th July – 2/3’s
Again, great spectating if you don’t race.
