/ Racing
Circuit Racing
Soft Start
Circuit racing is an ideal entry into massed start racing, usually on a purpose built cycling circuit in a traffic free environment.
Races are categorised into ages for Youths, Juniors, Masters and Veterans (40+) and ability categories for Senior (Open) and Woman races namely 4th, 3rd, 2nd, 1st and Elite. Depending on entry numbers some of the categories are combined in the same race but with separate category prizes. As an absolute beginner (4th Cat or no racing licence) there are Go-Racing events to look out for.
Most Senior, Junior, Woman and Veteran circuit races are typically for 1 hour (plus 1 lap). Youth races are typically for 20 - 40 minutes in duration.
Entry
Events are usually organised by local cycling clubs under the regulations of a cycling body, namely British Cycling (BC), TLI or British Masters Cycle Racing (BMCR).
All races require you to hold membership and/or a racing licence from the appropriate cycling body under the rules the event is being organised. These are annual memberships and provide third party insurance liability and other benefits. If you are not a member you cannot enter in advance, but can often enter on the day of the event for an additional ‘day licence’ for a small cost in addition to the entry fee.
For BC races you gain points from your placing in the race, which accumulate across a season and when a level of points is reached you get moved up to the next ability category i.e 3rd cat to 2nd cat.
Local Circuits
Whilst Chelmsford does not have its own purpose built road cycling venue it is relatively close to several purpose built venues used for circuit racing.
The newest is at Colchester Sports Park, Cuckoo Farm Way, CO4 5YX (Just off the A12 - on opposite side to the Colchester United Football Stadium). A floodlit track that also allows for all year round evening training. In addition to regular BC and BMCR events at weekends there are weekly (Tuesday evenings) TLI races open to all categories.
The are also closed circuit venues at the Redbridge Cycling Centre, (affectionately known as Hog Hill), Forest Road, Hainault, IG5 3HP and at the Lee Valley Velopark at the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park in Stratford, E20 3AB.
Further afield there are also purpose built circuits in Hillingdon, and Gravesend, Kent.
In addition another closed circuit venue used in the summer for Go-Race 4th category licence riders is the Ford Dunton Test Track near Laindon. Go-Races are for 4th category riders only which is the category that beginners have to start racing in, however riders do not gain BC points toward promotion to higher race categories but don’t let that spoil your fun, as they are a good introduction to bunch cycle racing.
If you are a regular on club group rides, circuit racing is the ideal step up to competitive peloton racing.
