Advice needed

andcp

This year my son has started road racing as a junior. He has hooked up with two other first time road racers (25 and 23) from ‘our’ club, and individually they are all doing quite well, and just as importantly, enjoying it. Here’s the however……our home club which the lads (and myself) are members of is orientated to CX, MTB and TT’s (and pretty good at them too). As historically there has been nobody road racing, there is no support for road racing - by support I mean guidance on coaching, fitness, tactics, etc.. The ‘team’ would like to progress forwards as they feel there may be some potential for improvement. Currently, the guys can read up on all sorts of information, but it’s not quite the same as having someone point you in the right direction.

I would like to make it very clear that I am not denigrating the current club as generally we are a positive and ‘happy’ club, but the available resources are appropriated to other cycling disciplines (which is fair enough).

TL:DR-
Question: is there a club in the East Midlands/South Yorkshire area that would be appropriate for three keen but inexperienced road racers to look at joining with a view to improving their abilities?

Thanks in advance,

Andy.

p.s. I realise that clubs are a two way street and no doubt me and some others would get involved volunteering/helping too.

DeVlaeminck

What level are they racing at? I think there is a lot to be said for having a tight knit group of mates racing together and you don't really need much advice on tactics etc at the lower levels. Bottom line is you need to enjoy it as most of us aren't getting paid.

I think you are fairly local to me though so yes there are clubs/teams who operate on a more organised basis - both Beeston clubs for starters are more "organised" than say Derby Merc (my club) although Derby Merc do have plenty racing we don't have anyone coaching seniors, organising training or a racing programme etc. It has been mooted though so that may change.

Aside from that you've got the likes of Steve Thompson's Clay Cross team who are active and have some good young riders.

Personally I'd just join a club who are in the EMRRL - that gives you access to a load of 234 races in the East Mids - do well in them and you can get noticed by a team at a higher level - riders who were winning EMRRL races a Year or so ago are now riding Tour series/Prems.

andcp

Hi DeV,

Thanks for the considered response. The guys are two 3rd cat and one 2nd cat. You've nailed the important part, they're mates racing and having a good time together and that counts for a lot.

I am local to you and if you haven't already, you could probably work out which 'our' club is. This is all tentative at the moment, and Beeston RC and Clay Cross have both been mentioned; I think towards the end of the season there will be enquiries made to both clubs. I will keep an eye on the Mercury forum to see if there is any progress. Two of the guys already go on the Tuesday Derby chain-gangs so know a lot of the locals anyway.

As an aside, they all competed in the Sheffield GP last night - it was a great event, and as it was the first crit two of them had done, a large amount of eye opening was apparent!

Thanks for your time, hopefully I'll speak to you in real life one day.

Andy.

supermurph09

If you are looking for advice then I'd consider giving AMAC racing a call. Andy and Mel are really passionate about the sport and have a team of about 12 riders. They won't be looking to take any more on this year but I'd be surprised if you can't join them on a few training rides and get some advice etc.

https://www.britishcycling.org.uk/club/profile/6670/andy_moore_autocentres_racing

andcp

Thanks Murph, another nice idea.

I am going to be a bit cheeky and send you a pm also.

Nice blog, by the way.

Andy