Get into Road Racing

We are lucky to have some of the most stunning race routes in the UK at our disposal, so even if you’re not fighting for the podium positions, you’re bound to have an enjoyable and rewarding race.

Riders learn a lot from race to race in their first few Road events, so we would recommend trying a few events to get a true taste of the discipline, even if you do find yourself chasing off the back of the group!

Group training sessions

If you are feeling strong, but unsure about how your group riding skills will stack up in a racing peloton, we would recommend looking out for training rides and sessions that will help prepare you.

In some locations, there are regular structured training sessions on purpose built, traffic free, closed circuits. These can take a variety of forms, with some coached, some club specific, some Women only, so there is something for everyone out there. Reach out to them directly for more information on their sessions:

• Clyde Cycle Park
• Ellon Wheel Park
• Fife Cycle Park
• West Lothian Cycle Circuit

In most areas, there will also be evening or weekend chaingangs (may also be called bunches) that head out on a local road loop. These rides are usually where a large number of riders come together for a fast training session. They are relatively structured and do vary from group to group, but the principle is very similar from one to another – the group works together, constantly rotating, to give everyone a good workout and the chance to recover in the wheels. The best way to find your local bunch ride would be to ask a club in the area.

Race licences & categories explained

You will not need a full race licence to take part in your first event, however there will be a day licence charge to take part. Details are explained here by British Cycling with a link to purchase a full licence – it does very quickly become better value if you plan to compete a few times in the year.

All competitive British Cycling Road events fall within a category system to help riders identify events appropriate to their ability and experience. British Cycling have put together a more complete guide here, so we will just stick to what you need to know if you’re just getting into road racing.

Everyone starts with a 4^th category licence and as riders pick up good results, they gain points which in turn add up to licence upgrades. Elite and 1^st category riders are considered British National level and are the highest ranked domestic categories. There is a wide variation of ability and experience within the 3^rd and 4^th category licence holders, who range from young juniors striving to reach the higher rungs to local and regional racers competing for fun.

In addition to licence categories, races themselves hold different classifications from Regional C to National A (British Series level). As a novice rider, you should be looking for Regional C+, Regional B and for female riders Regional A events as the race classifications appropriate to 4^th category licence holders.

Time Trials

Time Trials are a great way to test yourself physically without needing to think about a peloton around you and the tactics of bunch racing, as it’s just you against the clock. There are many opportunities each year to race traditional 10 and 25 mile time trials throughout the year, meaning riders can look to better their own time throughout the season. If you prefer a more varied route with some elevation, look out for the non-standard distance and “Hilly” time trials on the calendar.

The first time trial of the season takes place on the 8^th March, hosted by Glasgow University Cycling Club just south of Glasgow. All time trials are open to all race licence categories and can be found on the calendar here.

Closed Circuit Races (or Criteriums)

Closed circuit races, also known as criteriums, take place on short traffic free circuits approximately 1km in length, with riders competing over a set amount of time between 30 minutes and an hour. The lap board is brought out towards the end of the race to count down the last five laps. The circuits usually include some technical turns, and by completing many laps each race, they are ideal for developing bike handling skills and race tactics.

The full closed circuit race calendar can be found here, with many events yet to be registered. A few to look out for in particular are:

• Thank Crit It’s Friday series at West Lothian Cycle Circuit – these include a range of races combining different race categories throughout the series, taking place on Friday evenings this Summer.
• L’Enfer du Linlithgow at West Lothian Cycle Circuit – a season opener on the 1^st March, this event includes a Regional A race for both Open and Female categories.
• West Lothian Grand Prix at West Lothian Cycle Circuit, 6^th April – includes Regional C+ races for Open and Female categories, giving 4^th category licence holders their own race.

Scottish Student Crit Champs at Fife Cycle Park, 19^th April, to be added to the calendar soon – includes racing for all senior categories, and you don’t need to be a student to race (they might not award you the title if you’re not one though!).

Australian Pursuit Races (APR’s) and Reliability Trials

APR’s are handicap races, open to all categories of rider, where riders are set off in groups depending on their ability and experience. Faster riders are set off with a time deficit to the less fast groups, giving everyone an incentive to ride hard and, in theory at least (deciding the initial time gaps is an artform few organisers get perfectly right), give everyone a fair chance to compete for the win.

• JGCC APR, Barrmill, 23^rd March
• ARCC Moscow APR, Kilmarnock, 5^th April
• Dyke APR, Forres, 12^th April
• Ythan APR Road Race, Ellon, 1^st May
• Cawdor APR, Cawdor, 4^th May
• VCRT APR, Midmar, 22^nd May
• TENS APR, TBC, 22^nd June
• DTCC APR, Midmar, 24^th July

Reliability Trials are a non-competitive version of an APR, but are organised with the fastest group setting off first. Riders self-allocate their groups, the benefit of being ambitious with your choice is if you do get dropped you’ll be able to jump in with the next group that catches you. The full list of reliability rides can be found here.

Road Races

In the UK, regional level road racing takes place on the open highway, with riders kept safe from other road users by a convoy made up of lead and following vehicles, motorbike marshals and static marshals on every junction. This is all in place for the APR’s listed above also.

If you think the longer races might be a better place for you to start than the short sharp closed circuit races, below is a list of races most suited to novice competitors. These do include the Scotia Series, which is the Female National Road Series, but registered as Regional A to ensure they are a positive first event experience for new racers.

Female only races:

• Gifford Road Race, Gifford, 15^th March – 52km, 4 laps, circuit here.
• Pippa Handley Road Race, Eddleston, 8^th June – 63.3km, 3 laps, circuit here.
• Torvelo Women’s Road Race, Douglas, 14^th June – 74km, circuit here.
• Rothiemay Road Race, Huntly, 6^th July – 74km, circuit here.
• Drummond Trophy, Strathaven, 20^th September – 70km, circuit here.

Open races:

• Gifford Road Race (Regional B), Gifford, 15^th March – 52km, 4 laps, circuit here.
• Dunfermline Road Race (Regional B), Townhill, 11^th May – appr. 60km
• Lothian Flyer (Regional B), Stobo, 24^th August – appr. 60km