Useful Information for newcomers to Halesowen Cycling Club
Following feedback from newcomers to Halesowen Cycling Club, we have put together some useful information below. This should be used as a basic guide only. If you require any clarification regarding the information below or have any particular questions then please contact one of the coaching team for which contact details are available on this site.

Racing at British Cycling events
To be able to race you will need to obtain a British Cycling Membership and a racing licence. As a 'Go-Ride' club, Halesowen Cycling Club is able to provide all new youth members with this FREE for the first year. To obtain your FREE Silver Membership of British Cycling just click here below and when asked to nominate your club select Halesowen Cycling Club.

Entry to British Cycling events – Please click here to obtain the race entry application for all British Cycling events.

What types of racing will our children be involved in?

Track Racing
Track Racing has grown in popularity following the success of the GB Team in the Olympics and World Championships. Track racing takes place on short specially built tracks consisting of two tight, banked corners joined by two short straights. Tracks range hugely in length - outdoor tracks such as Halesowen usually being longer and with shallower banking - but Olympic and World Championship Track racing is generally held on indoor 250m wooden tracks. Many outdoor tracks are concrete or tarmac surfaced.

Track bikes are relatively simple, lacking the gears and brakes of their Road cousins. With bikes having a fixed wheel (forcing you to pedal continuously) the rider controls speed through pressure applied to the pedals.

It is important to note that competitive cycling events restrict the gearing based on age categories. This is explained in the gearing section below.
Track events can be split into two main types Sprint events, which generally last for less than two minutes and Endurance events which can be up to 40km in length.

Road Racing
Road racing takes place on public roads but only under strict rules/conditons imposed by law and with permission from the local police. Races, in the main, are held under rules of British Cycling or, in the case of riders over 40 years, the LVRC [League Veteran Racing Cyclists] Riders have to be 16 years of age or over to compete in road races and will need either BC or LVRC membership/racing licence. Junior riders [16 & 17 yrs of age] are restricted to gear sizes 52" [chain ring] x 14" [rear sprocket], the maximum number of riders permitted in a single race is 80. It is a very firm policy of the club that riders respect other road users on the open road and comply with traffic laws.

Closed Road Circuit Racing
Under British Cycling regulations all Under 16 races must take place on traffic-free roads or a closed road circuit, this is often referred to as ‘Circuit Racing'. Circuit racing is a test of stamina, fitness and tactical expertise, with a large number of competitors riding in close proximity, commonly referred to as riding in a ‘bunch'.

Learning to ride safely and efficiently in a bunch is a fundamental skill to be developed at entry level. Skills learnt in races will help to lay the foundations for riders to develop the tactical awareness and race skills needed for higher level competition.

At a higher level circuit racing is amazingly varied, the tactical options for a rider or team are almost endless and will depend on the specific layout of the circuit being used. This is what makes it such a wonderful and unpredictable discipline. Often the strongest teams and riders prevail, but the outsider who is prepared to take risks and commit to daring tactics always has a fighting chance. Open Youth circuit races are often up to 20km in length, whatever the distance, on the last lap the first rider over the line is the winner!

Cyclo-Cross
Cyclo-Cross (often abbreviated to 'Cross) is generally an autumn and winter sport. Massed starts make for exciting races, usually no more than an hour in length. Cyclo-Cross races are usually multi lap events, held on short (typically less than a mile and often less than half a mile), grassy courses, generally in public parks or on school playing fields. Less technically demanding than Mountain Biking, Cyclo-Cross often requires riders to dismount to clear artificial obstacles - often wooden boards. The ability to swap smoothly and quickly from riding to running and back to riding in one fluid motion is a key skill for advanced riders.

Cyclo-Cross bikes often make excellent winter training or utility bikes, with their wide range of gears, so forking out for one often increases your cycling options. Many Road and Mountain Bike competitors use Cyclo-Cross to maintain their fitness during the winter and there is considerable overlap in riders in these disciplines.

Gear Tables
In English speaking countries, cycle gearing is usually measured in inches and comes from the olden days of penny-farthings. A larger number means the gear is harder to push, and a smaller number means the gear is easier to push.

The measurements quoted are the distance the bike travels after one full revolution of the pedals.