Chelmer
Cycling Club
Established 1947
A Club for Every Age &
Ability!
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Road Racing…
The Junior Women's
World Road Race
What is a Road Race?
It's a bunched start race
where the first person over the line is the winner.
Where are Road Races held?
They can be on short
circuits usually closed to traffic, such as the one mile 'Eastway'
circuit in East London, Short lap distance events are sometimes called criteriums or 'crits'. The
racing is usually fast and furious, with the lead changing several times
every lap. Or they can be held on an open public road and these events
usually have much longer laps, typically of 5 to 25 miles and a total race
distance of from 35 to 120 miles. The road is likely to be open to traffic
and a convoy of cars in front and behind the riders, keep regular motorists
at a safe distance.
Can I enter a Road Race?
You will need to be fairly
fit and an experienced competitive cyclist. You must be able to ride in a
group and not panic if you have other riders elbows
overlapping you as the bunch goes into a narrow corner.
You can practise group
riding by going on the Chelmer's training rides. Here you can learn to
'follow a wheel', which means riding within less than the diameter of a bike
wheel of the rider in front, but just a couple of inches to one side. This
ensures that if he kicks back, or brakes unexpectedly you do not run into
him. This technique requires practise before you can do it automatically, but
is an essential part of road racing as the average speed will be too high for
you to maintain riding by yourself, without the benefit of drafting other
riders.
But, you still need to be
fit enough to stay with the bunch! If you 'get dropped' (fall behind) you
will be unlikely to catch up again (as you will lose the benefit of the other
riders shelter from the wind) and are effectively out of the race. If you are
planning you're first race, I suggest entering a criterium
and then if you are dropped, you can wait for the bunch to lap you and have
another go at staying on.
What type of bike will I need?
You will need the type of
bike that's commonly called a racer (the correct term is a lightweight). It
will have 14 - 20 gears and high pressure tyres. It does not need to be super
expensive. Any reasonably light steel framed bike will do. It's the person
riding that makes the difference.
Who are 'British Cycling' and do I need to join
them?
British Cycling is the nationally
recognised governing body of cycle sport in the UK. They promote, administer
and regulate the sport as well as developing the programs that have led to
gold medals at the Olympics etc. So in short, yes you do need to join, as
most of the best races are held under British Cycling's regulations and you
have to be a member and hold a licence to take part. Being a member of
British Cycling also means that you have insurance cover to take part in
events and also for riding your bike on the road.
British Cycling publish lists of events throughout the year and will
provide help and assistance through their network of fully trained coaches.
Road racing requires more knowledge and skill than time trials, but at the
Chelmer we are set up to help you. We are the only club in the country that
has our own fitness suite operated by cyclists, for cyclists.
Does it cost a lot to enter an event?
Depends on what you
consider to be 'a lot'. Road races are normally around £10 - £12 per event.
This is much higher than a Time Trial, because it reflects the number of
officials and volunteers needed to run an event. The Chelmer's Road Race, requires around thirty-five helpers to put on. There
are normally at least six cars and a First Aid vehicle supporting the event.
All the officials and marshals are volunteers, but as some of the vehicles
cover more than a hundred miles with following the race, and putting out
warning signs before and picking them up again after the event, they receive
minor expenses. There's insurance cover for the organisers, telephones and
radio receivers used so that the race convoy can keep in touch with the
stationery officials and the other cars. All this means that it's a huge
organisational task to put an event on. The Chelmer belongs to the Essex Road
Race League, thus our members can enjoy entry to the sixteen events per year
that they organise, as well as the 'open' events that are put on at the Eastway circuit and other places.
Why should I bother when a Time Trial is easier to enter and ride?
Road racing is the most
exciting form of cycle racing there is! Think of all the famous races in the
world such as the Tour De France. Although it's a stage race, taking place
over many days, each day is still a road race with an individual winner.
There's nothing quite like the sense of achievement in holding both hands up
to acknowledge you beat all the others to the line!
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