I'm New to racing???

[Nick]

I am seriously thinking of dipping my toes in all sorts of Racing this year.
What a really after is someoene or all of you to assist me finding out when these races are held and where. I am a 34yr old novice.
So any help of to who I need to speak to would be helpful and also is there some sort of Calendar/timetable of events of which I may be eligable for. I don't expect to win, but finishing would be nice and at least I can say "I've done that" rather than say "I wished I'd done it".

Thank you

Nick Smith

[Rob]

dont seriously think of doing it..DO IT. youll love it, when you get beat you strive for more, when you come close to winning you question why you didnt win, when you win, you get big headed, and when you crash......you suffer for weeks whilst the burnt damaged skin sticks to your bed sheets and stings in the shower. then sometimes, you almost kill yourself, and cant walk for weeks and have a smashed face.. BUT i promise its sooooooooo good,

Hillingdon currently has its winter season running, if you turn up, buy a day license amd pay in, wil cost about £20, you can give it a go.. or, look forward to it, start training, make sure you can ride fast for one hour, and sprint for 20 seconds(something to build upto) then you can enter tuesday series, where its warmer, and theres loads of beginners. At hillingdon around season start(marchish, theres races aimed for people that are brand new, thats where i started. look at the british cycling sight, or surreycycleleague and look at calender, or just wait for someone else to reply to this and tell you more.
i know i havent actually said much interesting, but ohwell....youll love it, all the argy bargy in the bunch!!! another acc rider, go get em.


ive developed permenant scares and injuries(some reoccuring from last year) but i continue to ride on!!!! oh, if you do get serious, insure the bike!!!

[Jon H]

Nick, you did say all sorts of racing, so some advice on track racing and time trials.

If you fancy track racing, get to Herne Hill on a Saturday morning (9 ish)to the beginners training sessions if you haven't ridden before, then move on to the regular training sessions (10:30 ish). You can rent a track bike there. Not sure if those sessions are on at the moment, I think they stop in winter and re-start about March. Then the Herne Hill track league is on Monday & Wednesday evenings starting early May.

All Open Time trials are listed on the Cycling Time Trials website http://www.ctt.org.uk (in the events section) and in the CTT handbook which you can order from the website or Dave Palmer might have some spare ones. Look at the London South district for the local ones. You don't need a race license to ride time trials, but you do need to be organised because you have to enter in advance by filling in an entry form and sending it to the organiser at least two weeks in advance. The club also runs evening 10 mile time trials in the summer which are less hassle to enter and a good way to start.

Hope that helps.

[siwickm]

Check out surreyleague.co.uk and go to the calendar. You want to enter races which are either cat 4 only or cat 3/4.

I personally think Hillingdon is a horrible place to race and if I were you I would try out Goodwood. I think you will need a race licence, check out the Britishcycling website for membership and a race licence.

If you want to have a chat about it them PM me with your phone number and we can talk.

Cheers

Marek....

[Rob]

i love hillingdon!!!! loadsa friendly people, and as a 4th cat, its probably one of teh most dangerous places to race, so your bike handling skills and confidence will inprove alot faster than anywhere else, bar a track race!

[siwickm]

There are friendly people at every race that I have been to, maybe it is just something about you Rob that people are unfriendly everywhere else except Hillingdon.

Cheers

Marek....

[Rob]

no i think its ....dont get anywhere bar hillingdon!!!! i plan to travel further affield this year!!!

[siwickm]

What is your first SL race likely to be Rob?

[Rob]

so far im entered into 12th and 13th, i think theyre alfold and dunfold or something like that, then 29th march, my b day im racing somewhere, then the 3 day!!! see you around punk!!!!

[siwickm]

I am thinking about doing Alfold as my first race of the season, so you may well see my back wheel floating off into the distance sonny, I doubt if I will be seeing much of you.

cheers

Marek....

[Rob]

HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAAHHAAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHA........................BACK TO TEH ORIGINAL SUBJECT, LOOK ON LONDONCYCLESPORT, THERES A NEW SECTION ABOUT BEGINNERS RACES COMING UP

[siwickm]

Which beginners ones are you going to Rob, I may come along and cheer you on

Cheers

Marek...

[Rob]

listen to you go....the addiscombe comedian must think hes on form.....HAHAHAH..i look forward to you beating me marek, ive put ona stone, and havent being training much, instead i just keeping getting pissed.so im not gonna lie...i look forward to seeing you dissapear.

[DavidKennett]

If you're interested in racing regularly you?re better off having the following memberships / licences:

ACC membership £19
- payable via Phil Nash

Surrey League racing licence £20
- application form from Paul Tunnell

British Cycling membership (Gold) £58
(Silver)£32
- http://www.britishcycling.org.uk/membership/join.shtml

British Cycling racing licence £30
- http://www.britishcycling.org.uk/membership/join.shtml


The Surrey League have a calendar listing races, http://www.surreyleague.co.uk/calendar.htm with London Dynamo putting on some beginners races in February at Hillingdon and MOD Chertsey, both closed circuits, so no traffic.

Hope this helps

PS. Don't fancy the Wally Gimber Rob? It's only short, good prep for the South East Series

[Rob]

nah, havent planned for that. dont wanna make any more adjustments to my calender, im outta cash, and gotta save for a trip to the sunny mountains so i come back all tanned for the 5 day. you around in june?