Advice needed!

Adam001
Adam001 Posts: 4
edited January 2008 in Pro race
Hi guys, I'm looking to get into racing at a very beginner level just to build up a level of fitness. I really dont have a clue about the biking world and was just looking for some advice about how to get into racing.

Thanks Adam

Comments

  • Bronzie
    Bronzie Posts: 4,927
    Are you talking road racing (mass start bunch racing) or time trials (solo races against the clock)?

    For bunch racing:
    I'd suggest as a starting point you find a club local to you whose members do a bit of racing. Have a look on British Cycling's club finder:
    http://www.britishcycling.org.uk/web/si ... Finder.asp

    Go along to join a club run and speak to the riders to find out if any of them race and how best to get into the scene. If the first club you try doesn't have any racing members, try elsewhere, as I've found it much easier to motivate myself to do the necessary training and then take the plunge to enter a race if others in the club are doing the same.

    You can ride entry level "Go Race" events with a BC Bronze license (£12 or possibly even free if your club has been granted some by BC to give away), however there aren't many "Go Race" events on the calendar. Most BC races will require a silver BC membership and full racing licence (£62) so best try an entry level event first to see if it's for you. However, don't get too despondent if you get dropped in your first race - you have to be pretty fit even to hang in at the back of most 3rd/4th cat road races.

    For time trialling:
    Some clubs will do both disciplines, but many tend to lean to either road racing or time trials. You can find out which clubs are affiliated to Cycling Time Trials (the governing body for UK TT racing) here:
    http://www.cyclingtimetrials.org.uk/clubs.asp

    Many local clubs that lean towards TTing will organise an "Evening 10" on summer evenings (start late April usually) and these are a great way to try time-trialling for the first time.
    It's a Lifestyle! -+-+- Coggan Training Levels
  • OffTheBackAdam
    OffTheBackAdam Posts: 1,869
    Find your local bike shop, proper one, not a Halfords. Go and talk to them in there, they'll know the local clubs, go to a few club nights, see which club you like best (Assuming you're not so far out in the sticks that you've no real choice) and join them.
    Things will follow from there.
    Remember that you are an Englishman and thus have won first prize in the lottery of life.

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