so, i’m still plugging along training as much as my body will let me. I’ve now enlisted a local coach to add some S&C work and as a qualified physio, hopefully he’ll also keep me in one piece and keep my already ceramic hip last a little longer.
I’m new to events, never done an organised event or race and in 6 weeks i’ll be doing my first (which is a 3 part winter series, 25 mile, then 35 mile then 50 mile) which seemed a nice introduction.
In 2025 i’ve got another few booked already, which are around the 50 mile mark. But I wondered what type of events I should also consider?
One day i’d like to look at racing, something in the masters categories but i’m a LONG way off being able to hit the power numbers to make that viable. But would like to spend 2025 really focussing on trying racing in 2026. So any events I should look at?
what a nice way to get into it? Just do what I’m doing and enjoy the progression or jump in the deep end, accept i’ll be last but enjoy that ride?
Depending where you live, bike circuits will tend to have practice sessions over the winter, you can take part, learn to ride fast and safely in a bunch. Are you wanting to do short crit styles races or long distance sportive, or both?
I have been trying of late, but sadly not many seem to be running sunday rides these days.
I think Covid killed off alot of our local clubs and whilst I don’t mind a bit of a drive to a ride, I’ve still got a wife and kid at home so I have to strike somewhat of a balance as to how long I can be out on a sunday. 4 hours if I’m out the door at 08:30 would be great, trying to do a 4 hour ride, and add an hour each way to get to the start point would become an issue doing it every week.
I’ll likely make my weekly long ride a sunday one and get 4 hours of riding in. But I won’t really “learn” anything new as it’ll mostly just be me and my buddy unless I can find another group that rides
The local clubs do have TTs and reliability rides but you need to be a member to really get into the details - it seems very secretive to me, very little in the way of a light entry and social side before jumping into TTs and events
BC reliability rides (see the BC website) are probably your best bet, and you don’t need to be a club member. They are pretty much raced at the front, but are great for learning group dynamics at all levels.
Proper racing opportunities for newer riders are few and far between unless you want to race crits. Time trials and hill climbs are your best options for competition but of course are solo efforts. If you want to race with group dynamics, gravel is probably you’re best bet. 3/4 road races have a high cost of entry (well, the racing and BC membership fees) and are a crazy high level (as there are rarely enough opportunities for riders to move up to 2nd cat).
I’m on the east coast. Anglia
I’ve messaged three clubs now, one seems to cater for retirees more than anything so club rides are during the week.
One is running mtb club rides over winter
The other hasn’t come back as yet
But yeah I’ve put some feelers out see what’s about in the club scene. I think you’re right though, seems to cater for current member base rather than looking for more members
Imo the best thing to do is ride with them once or twice, talk to the other members, see what it’s like. You will probably find a group of people that prefer times that suit you better. Intro rides are usually free with an invitation. Our local clubs offer three before the expectation to join. One club even has a weekly ride permanently open to non members.
I was just about to message about this. I recently found out that in South Wales there is a cyclocross series that runs from September to December each year. 8 events. Never done it myself but I might try and give it a go next year.
I’m based on Cardiff, so a lot of the events I join up to are near by. These are some things I’ve done in the past.
Carten100 - Cardiff to Tenby. Billed as 100 miles but it’s a little more and comes in at 177 km. Very well organised, but some of it on some major roads. Good feed stations and good end of event, great feeling coming into Tenby. Next year is May 10th and sign up opens in November.
Black rat gravel - I believe this year as the first time they hosted this particular event. Starts just north of Cheptow and is a gravel event. A good mix of road, gravel and technical mountain bike sections. 58km or 80km routes available. Entry was £35 for both and feed station was fantastic.
Dragon ride - Starts at Margam park, near Porthcawl. They have various distances and all distances can be signed as a fundraising, making it much cheaper to sign up. I think shortest route is 100km, I did Dragon Gran Fondo (216km) and the longest is the Dragon Devil at 296km. All challenging due to the course, very hilly. The Fondo tackles over 3,600m of climbing and the Devil around 5,000m I believe. Essentially just climb after climb.
Ultimately there are lots of events in the UK. Road events, gravel, mountain bike - you name it. Even the races will be very welcoming, not tat I’ve done that myself. If you are thinking of racing I would suggest joining a local group, get used to group rides and then take part in some of their ‘races’ or track days. That kind of experience will be invaluable for any racing you might do in the future.
If you are thinking of events, you’re unlike to be last. Lots of people sign up for cycling events (just like half and full marathons) with little experience. If it’s racing, then yeah you may well come in near the back until you get to grips with the tactics and the ability to fully push yourself to what you’re capable of. I’ve not done racing but I have realised I am able to push myself a lot harder compared to where I was 2 years ago.
Would definitely recommend giving TTs a go, you only need front / rear lights and a helmet get racing. There are ‘Come and Try’ Type B club events where you don’t need to be a member of any club to enter - you’ll just pay an extra couple of quid than a club member to cover CTT insurance etc
To ride an ‘open’ you do need to be a member of a CTT affiliated club
The season tends to start April time but there are some races earlier in the year, most events won’t be published until the start of the year but you can search for clubs events here:
I’d agree with the “join a club” shout. It’ll get you used to riding in a group, and you’ll find out about local events.
Other than looking at the BC club finder, you could also ask in a bike shop or cafe where you often see other riders. Or see if you bump into any clubs out on a Sunday?
For races, yes, TTs are likely your easiest entry. There is master’s road racing, but road needs you to be a certain fitness. Cyclocross is also a good entry point, but you need an offroad bike, and a bit of a taste for splashing around in the mud. If there are any races near you, you could always go to watch and ask which local clubs are there and see about club rides?
yeah I quite like the idea of it. There’s some local ones that run weekly on a thursday evening which sounds ideal. I’ve LOADS of work to do beyond spending thousands in a wind tunnel, I’d really be doing it to better myself than worry about other peoples times (for now!! look out leader board haha)
I’ve done weekly 50 milers and stuff like that and I’ve struggled, the rides are either way too fast or way too slow and i’ve never really been able to settle in. But TT sounds like fun - we don’t have any motorways here so no problem there either.
I’ll give it a look in april when the season seems to start - gives me a few more months to progress too.
