Local racing – a round-up of where you can go and what you can do

At the recent meeting of the Racing Working Group we agreed to try and do a regular update on forthcoming races in our local area – particularly ones that PPV riders are likely to be going to as it is more fun to be with friends and club-mates than all by yourself at some unfamiliar race venue.

The circuit season is drawing to a close, but there are a few races around and competition is a bit less intense now than it is in early season when all the riders in the region are trying to get points on the board.  An ideal opportunity to give it a go and see if you think you would like to do more next year.

Be quick though as there are currently only 2 scheduled in our local (ish) area.

Saturday 19 September – BC West Thames at Hillingdon – final round of 5 round event.  U14/U16s race together for 30 minutes, U12, U10/U8 races over 15 minutes.

Sunday 27 September – Behind the Bike Sheds Points Chaser at Thruxton motor circuit – U8/U10 on the pit lane, U12, U14, U16 on the full circuit – usually windy so take plenty of layers!

There are also some races further afield in October at CycloPark (Kent), Fowlmead Country Park (Kent) and Odd Down Circuit (Bath) – see the BC website for further details if you are interested.

Sunday 27 September – Banjo Cycles Rampage Round 1 – Checkendon – races for U8, 9-10, 11-12, juvenile (13-14) & youth (15-16) (& adults).  U8 and U10 race round a short course into the woods and then out into the grassy arena.  U12 and above on the full course.

Also on Sunday 11 October and Saturday 24 October (a night race!).

Look on the BC website or search for Rampage XC Series 2015 for full details, timetables, FAQs and online entry (not through BC website).  Or enter on the day.

If you like riding your bike over all sorts of terrain in all sorts of weather – and particularly if you have been attending the Thursday training session – then cyclocross races might be for you.

The events operate on a regional league basis – although you don’t need to participate in the league, you can just turn up and try the odd event.  The two nearest to PPV are Wessex league and Central league. Many PPV riders go to the Wessex events as generally slightly closer to where members live, but Central are also excellent events.  If you are not sure then I suggest trying a Wessex one first simply because more PPV riders go to these and you will be assured of some familiar faces and a helping hand if needed.

Races for everyone from U6’s (sometimes even on balance bikes) up to over 60’s, and everything in between.

Further details are the BC website (under Dirt) and each league also have its own website – just search for Wessex CX or Central CX.

Round 1 was last Sunday at Oxford – an arduous course with some particularly gruelling banks – and we had a great PPV turnout, particularly for the youth (U14 and U16 race).

Sunday 20 September Round 2 – Mary Hare School Newbury – usually a really good course with sand pit, hurdles, gravel paths and an energy sapping hill round the back of the school.  Good cafe on site.

Sunday 27 September Round 3 – Moredon Golf Par 3, Swindon

Sunday 4 October  Round 4 – St John Moore Barracks, Winchester.

Sunday 18 October – Round 5 – Bill Higson Memorial Prospect Park, Reading – PPV will be helping organise the U12 racing for this event, including helping with sign-on, so if you go to this one you will be sure of a friendly face when you go to sign-on!

Sunday 27 September – Round 1 – RAF Halton

Saturday 3 October – Round 2 – Milton Keynes Bowl

Saturday 11 October – Round 3 – Milton Keynes Bowl

Happy racing!

Fiona