Frequently Asked Questions
Here are some answers to the more common questions we are asked. If there's anything you need to know which isn't covered here or elsewhere on the site, please contact us and we'll do our best to help.
Do I need a British Cycling Licence to enter?
No, you only need to hold a BC licence if you wish to collect points for your race result. If you do have a licence, you will need to present it at race registration to qualify for points.
Do I need to enter all the rounds?
No, you can enter as many or as few rounds of the series as you wish. Your four best results (not including the Southern Champs) will be used to calculate your final series standing.
Do I have to pre-enter?
You can either pre-enter online via the link to your left, or enter on the day. If you pre-enter, you save money and time!
How long is a lap?
In general a lap will be around 5 miles long. The expectation is that a regular racer will complete each lap in about 30 minutes.
How old am I?
Most categories have an age restriction on them. These are listed below. Your age for the series is defined as your age on 31st December 2010.
- Under 8's, Under 10's - self explanatory
- Under 12's - 10 to 12
- Juvenile - 12 to 14
- Youth - 15 to 16
- Junior - 17 to 18
- Sport - 19 to 29
- Masters - 30 to 39
- Veteran - 40 to 49
- Grand Veteran - 50+
- Fun - 12+
- Open - 19+
- Expert - 19+
- Elite - 19+
Which category should I enter?
If you are new to racing, we would recommend either the Fun or Open categories which for the men are two or three laps and for women one or two laps respectively.
Do you have any tips for a first time racer?
Make sure your bike is in tip-top condition when you arrive on race day, don't forget your helmet (you won't be allowed out on the course without it), water, tools, a pump and spares. Leave plenty of time for your journey so you're not in a rush to get through race registration, which can get busy. Once you’ve signed on you should fix your race number to the front of your bike using the cable ties provided. Ideally do one lap of the course at an easy pace before your race - this will get you warmed up and also give you warning of any difficult sections.
Get to the start line 5 minutes before the scheduled start of your race and follow the marshals instructions. Remember that to finish first, first you have to finish so don't go crazy at the start!
