San Fairy Ann Cycle Club

Hi everyone, i am looking to start road racing now i just wanted to know what i need to do to get started already had info from Phil to race on circuits which is definately a good idea i think, just wanted to know if i have to be a member of anything as im new to this

Just tell him he's too young, you have to be 21 or something ... he won't know any difference!

Just ignore John everyone, he likes picking on little 16 year olds

Michael Barnes wrote: little 16 year olds

LITTLE!!

Mike, try a crit race first; a nice place to get your first beating (you won't win 1st time, but if you can finish with the bunch you deserve all the praise that can be mustered!)

Also, make sure you enter for the club cross championships later this year. You can use any bike, but anything with knobbly tires is recommended. Cross is very good for off season training for TTing.

Miss Jodie No Hope wrote:

Michael Barnes wrote: little 16 year olds

LITTLE!!

Hi Michael,
As nobody has mentioned to you re what you need to join etc to be able to actually take part in RR, can I suggest that you contact one of our senior members involved with RR who will hopefully be able to guide you in the right direction. I know they do not all spend all day watching the forum or do not have a PC so I also suggest you phone them if e-mail is not possible. I can supply you with their contact details if necessary (email me)

This is where the club having a RR Secretary would be useful as it would give our novices someone to make contact with & not have to rely on getting odd advice from a few regular forum watchers. This club has many senior riders out there who you can learn from if you ask. We have members on every racing Association Committee in Kent but we do not all watch the forum so direct contact is best.

I could suggest Geoff Hodgson, Dick Naylor, or Pete Wall (see his article in July mag for contact details) . Also, have you tried the BC National website (links on our Club website) as it will have all the official details you will need. The local BC website will show you that Geoff is the local Gen Sec so try him & best of luck in your new venture.

Pat

PatsyHill wrote:As nobody has mentioned to you re what you need to join etc to be able to actually take part in RR, can I suggest that you contact one of our senior members involved with RR who will hopefully be able to guide you in the right direction.

Oooops!

Basically, you need a racing license. You can get a provisional one which is a couple of extra quid on top of any race entry but then you can't keep any points you win.

You can get a proper racing license (a real puller when it 'accidentally' falls out of your wallet )season long one for £13 but you have to get BC silver membership too which is another £24. The silver membership gets you benefits like 3rd party insurance etc. The racing license only lasts until the end of the cross racing season (Jan/Feb) regardless of when you join, but the BC membership is for 12 months.
Details here:
http://www.britishcycling.org.uk/web/si ... stions.asp

edit - more expensive than TTs, but far more fun so worth it!

When you check the membership details on the BC website make sure you get the special reduced rates for first time members (Bronze membership free, Silver at a reduced price).

All a bit too complicated for a little 16 year old, I wouldn't bother!

Thanks for all the info Rob, the cross sounds like fun so i think ill be trying that aswell thanks for that again Rob and yes i willl be sending you an email when i get back from holiday Pat to get Geoffs details so he can just run me through it

Also its not that complicated john maybe should do it it must be really easy for you if i can figure it out haha

Good point but best I stick with Time Trials ... I have a habit of bringing people down if I get too close!

You know Michael, I think it might be a good idea after all if you make a move to road racing and actually give up time trialling!

Michael,
I shall be pleased to help you in any way. It is good to mix it - see our Bradley Wiggins in the TDF - I shall be glued to the TV this afternoon.

Also can I suggest you read -even if it is too retro for all you young racers- my '30 Years Ago This Month' to see our then KCA BAR Champion Mark Vowells' entry into RR in 1979. Painful but he quickly learned at the knees (or should it be legs or brains come to that) of Roy Manser & Ray Whibley. He then stuck to TT & a racing lifetime of going it alone with no 'shelter'. Both are still around although Ray works away from home a lot. Roy does not have a computer.

Have a good holiday & don't over do things. I hear that 2 of our top Kent TT have had or have got viruses!! Ask Mike Piper about that risk!

Pat

Hi Michael,

Great to hear you're thinking of venturing into something new! Much of the basics have been mentioned here already, but I would also like to point you in the direction of Rhys Clegg. Though not a member of our club, he is a local lad and was regularly up at Detling (before the unfortunate news ) and is a firm ally and friend with me and Dave (Seager) in the SERRL (http://www.serrl.org.uk) races we all take part in.

The reason I mention Rhys is he is only a little older than yourself and is mixing it with the big boys - and doing incredibly well! If there's anyone to ask for advice on starting in road racing, it is him, as he was in the same position as yourself less than a year ago!

Only problem is, I don't actually have a contact number for him He lives in Headcorn though, and trains on Thursdays with Dave around the Headcorn area, if you wanted to join them. I'm sure they'd be only too hapy to help

Other than that, as Rob says, try some crits - actually SERRL has some closed circuit races coming up at Redbridge Cycle Centre soon and I would be only too happy to help you out/give you a lift up there if you're interested?

Joe

Ah thats great i definately have to try and get in touch with them. And yes ill definately start with the closed circuits and yeh thats great thanks very much definately interested