ROAD RACING WITH SWINDON RC
Swindon Road Club members are active in many road racing events around the region. There are lots of races within easy travelling distance and there are races suitable for beginners through to higher standard races suitable for more experienced riders.
For beginners there are closed road circuit races at Castle Combe racing circuit near Chippenham, Thruxton Racing Circuit near Andover and also there is a short closed road racing circuit at Portsmouth which holds regular events.
There are also a variety of races on the open roads organised either under British Cycling (BC), League of Veteran Racing Cyclists (LVRC), or The League International (TLI) regulations.
During the summer there is handicap road race series organised by local clubs under the Cotswold League banner.
Club members often co-ordinate on which races to enter whilst out on club rides, or via the Message Board, or occasionally in the local pub!
If you are a newcomer to road racing then as a starting point you should take part in the regular Saturday morning club rides and the summer Tuesday club rides. This will get you used to the faster race pace and the etiquette of riding in a bunch. From there you can try your hand in some of the local circuit races (Castle Combe or Thruxton are ideal).
The British Cycling website has some excellent information on Road Racing. Also look at the TLI website and also the LVRC website (if you are the wrong side of 40!) for details on the races they organise.
Suggested Events for 2012
Below are some of the road races that Swindon RC members will be targeting this year. There are many more on the calendar so check out the British cycling website.
The Dorset Tour is not on the BC website yet but is another option (usually in August).
Ludgershall winter series started 14th January, last one in the series is 3rd March.
This is a flat closed ircuit of about 900 metres.
3/4 at 0900
E12 at 1000
11th March
Omega Portsmouth Circuits. Not been there but I'm told its a small slightly banked closed circuit.
1030 4th cats
1130 3rd cats
1245 E12
18th March
Omega Thruxton Circuits. Airfield tarmac closed circuit. Usually windy. Small rise up to a chicane to the finish line.
1015 4th cats
1130 3rd cats
1245 E123
25th March
Omega Thruxton Circuits (again)
Same times as the previous week
1st April
Ham Hill / Pittards Road Race. Road circuit with a draggy climb
1000 E123
1045 34
6th April
Castle Combe Easter Classic
1230 4th cats
1330 3rd cats
1500 E12
22nd April
Gerry Hughes Memorial Road Race
1030 234 65 miles
3rd May
Castle Combe Summer series starts (every Thursday, finishes 9th August)
1930 34
1930 E12 (seperate races)
12th May
Roy Ludford Memorial - Tour of the Milburys
2 stage race for 234's. Short time trial followed by a 60ish mile road race.
13th May
Omega circuits - Thruxton
1015 4th cats
1130 3rd cats
1245 E12
20th May
South Road Race Championships- UpAvon, Wiltshire
E123 and Masters 40+ races
3rd June
Mike Rutty Memorial Road race
1015 234 56 miles
Bishops Sutton, Bristol
10th June
John Andrews Memorial Road Race
Long Sutton, Somerset
1000 234 65 mile RR
or
10th June
Stourbridge CC Road race
Stourport on severn
0930 234 70 mile RR
16th June
Omega Stage Race
Mountbatten Circuit, Portsmouth
Short time trial followed by a circuit race
0900 4ths
1030 3rds
1100 E12
1st July
Steve Taylor Memorial Road race
Castle Morton, Worcestershire
0930 234 62 miles
7th July
Oakley Village Road Race
Oakley Buckinghamshire
1450 234 53 miles
15th July
South Circuit race champs
Thruxton
1300 E123
21st and 22nd July
L'etape de la defonce
34 stage race, South Wales.
Team of 4
7 mile team time trial, 54 mile road race, 45 mile road race
16th September
High Wycombe CC Autumn Road Race
Little Milton, Oxfordshire
1400 234 62 miles
