racing - what do i need

conkface

hi people

recently bought myself a spesh allez and loving riding! really got the bug (although not the speed yet) and decided that im gonna try and enter some races and sportives next year.

was wondering if someone can advise me on how i enter races?
i heard i will need to start at cat 4??
do i need to register with any cycling body?
will i need any licence to compete?
how about insurance?? do you need a special insurance to race?
do you need to join a club to race?

and finally what about kit? is a bike and clothes enough or is there something else i need?

sorry if these are stupid questions! :oops:

thanks for your help!

danowat

British Cycling website will have pretty much all the info you need > http://www.britishcycling.org.uk/

You need to be a member of BC, or there are some novice / go race (i.e. non-cat) events that you can race on an (expensive) day license.

Might be an idea to see if there are any novice events around and have a go to see how you get on.

I did a novice crit series, and it was great fun, as for kit, a bike, some clothes, a helmet and some track mitts and you are sorted.

jgsi

If you want to get into racing then make a point of finding a local club that has a racing section as a first step whether you intend to race BC, TLI or LVRC or TTs.

pinkbikini

JGSI wrote:

If you want to get into racing then make a point of finding a local club ...

Absolutely. Get used to riding in a bunch/chaingang with other riders before you race. It's not just your safety that will benefit.
Have fun!

markos1963

Strong legs!

st1400

http://www.allsteroidsworld.com/lib-EPO.html


:evil: :evil: :evil: :roll: :shock: 8)

Monty Dog

Join a club and get a winter of riding with them behind you to learn the art of riding in a pack and develop the fitness, strength and speed - it's highly unlikely you'll ever get quick enough riding on your own. Many clubs give free BC Bronze membership to beginners to encourage them - you can enter some Cat 4 circuit races to see how it goes.

andy162

+ all of the above.

Joining a club is key ( A club that promotes/runs races is better) Many races are oversubscribed & the organisers will send back entries belonging to unaffiliated riders.

Plus here is where you're going to pick up the nuggets of information that will serve you well. Get the winter miles in & come Spring start with a local chaingang. If you can hold onto these you'll be ok for a 4th Cat race, if you can work in it & do your turns even better.

Good luck! Enjoy!

edit... TLI, see if there's a local series near to you. Cheap as chips handicapped racing.

John C.

You need to be faster than me to race , At croft you just turn up on a Tuesday night pay your tenner plus a returnable deposit for the transponder and off you go. the race is about 30 miles and will take about 1 hour 20. work it out and that's for the slow ones. Ave about 23mph, and the sprint will be way over 30. hope I havn't put you off but thats the truth. having said that 22-23 in a group is probably like 18-19 on your own. I've been a couple of times finished in the group sometimes and others got cramp after about an hour and packed in. Saying all above it really is a buzz, and I'm really pleased I gave it a go.
As for sportives they're great , choose one to suit your ability and prepare for a cracking day out.