For every race you're going to need a helmet, cycling shoes and SELF BELIEF! Think about bringing mitts, (appropriate length) socks and glasses.
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Road Racing
A longer distance race (~90km women ~100+km men) on roads (usually open roads with a rolling road block). Bike - normal geared, drop bar road bike Essentials - British Cycling Race License, snacks, arm warmers Who to talk to? James Jenkins |
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Crit Racing
Your ideal first race, between 40mins and 1hr around a closed circuit (1km-2km) in tight bunches with sprints. Usually grouped with people of similar experience levels. Bike - normal geared, dropped bar, road bike Essentials - British Cycling race license, a gel, arm warmers and a coat for after Who to talk to? James Jenkins |
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Track
Races ranging from Sprints, bunch races, pursuits and longer time trials. All raced in an indoor/outdoor specific velodrome such as Herne Hill or Lee Valley Velopark. Bike - a fixed gear track bike, some indoor velodromes require specific rules so always check the website ahead. Essentials - British cycling race license, rollers/turbo for warming up and cooling down and extra gears if you need to switch Who to talk to? Teddy |
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Cyclocross
An off-road race often named "the grass crit". Normally raced in winter it is not too technical but a lot of fun! Full out racing for around an hour. Bike - Cyclocross/gravel/adventure bike, thicker tyres, bigger gears, drop bars are preferred but not essential Essentials - British Cycling race license, warm layer for after, coat! Who to talk to - Logan |
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Fixed Crit
Fast paced, short fixed-gear crit racing. Similar to a normal crit but on fixed gear track bikes (no brakes so backwards pressure controls slowing down). Bike - fixed gear track bike but rules are more relaxed, any fixed-gear, brakeless, drop bar bike Essentials - At the moment fixed crits are not governed by British Cycling so just come along with snacks and rollers! Who to talk to? Kitty |
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Cross Country Mountain Biking
A chance for the MTBers out there to get on your bike and ride! Winter and Summer series of reasonably technical laps of a circuit for an hour. Bike - a racey XC mountain bike but any mountain bike can be used, the brave could try a gravel bike Essentials - British Cycling racing licence, spare clothes and a towel for the mud Who to talk to? Logan/Kitty |
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Hill Climb
A flat out effort up a short sharp hill, ranging from 2 minutes to 10+ minutes. This is not for the faint of heart, however the staggered starts mean it's a great race for beginners. Bike - AS LIGHT AS POSSIBLE! Take all non-essentials off your road bike and fly up Essentials - turbo/rollers and lots of pre race energy Who to talk to? James Jenkins/Logan |
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Triathlon
SWIM BIKE RUN! You start off setting your bike and running kit up in a secure transition area, head off in your wetsuit and then swim, bike, run. Bike - racey road bike or a time trial bike depending on course (draft legal vs non-draft) Essentials - British Triathlon license, lots of kit! Who to talk to? Maddy Nutt |
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Enduro
A mountain bike race with short, technical timed segments. Cruise around the non-timed trail and smash the timed sections, really show off your skills and handling. Bike - an aggressive MTB, hardtails for hard core fanatics Essentials - protective gear, a camelbak and some spare clothes Who to talk to? Kitty |
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Gravel
Adventure riding with a competitive incentive. Off road grinding with some technical handling to really challenge your skills. Bike - Gravel/adventure/CX/MTB Essentials - extra kit and lots of inner tubes Who to talk to? Kitty |
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Time Trial
Flat out effort over a set distance, either as a team (3 up for BUCS) or individual. Bike - TT bike or road bike with TT bars Essentials - Some strong legs Who to talk to? James Jenkins |
