It’s great that participation in cycling is booming and that the membership of the Wheelers keeps growing. Many people are drawn to cycling for a whole mixture of reasons and our membership now spans a very wide range of ability, age, aspirations, and areas of interest.

Almost all of those members could have a go at competitive cycling if they wanted to and this applies to juvenile as well as adult members. Of course, many chose not to, and the huge growth in Sportive rides bears witness to the large number who prefer the ‘challenge’ rather than the ‘race’. But for those that would like to have a go at competitive riding I have compiled this simple guide.

Evening Time Trial Series

We run a superb evening time trial series throughout the summer, starting in April and going right through to September, every Thursday, normally 7pm start. These are held on quiet back-road courses over various distances, usually around 10 miles. Riders start at one minute intervals and their times are recorded. They are suitable for every member (over 14), irrespective of ability ~ the aim is to improve your own times as the season progresses. There are no formal entry forms, you just turn up, sign on and pay £2. You must wear a helmet and obey simple safety rules. This is the way almost everyone starts competitive cycling. We have trophies at the end of the season for Best Performance in the Series, Most Improved Rider and Best Lady. Neville Pettitt would be pleased to answer your questions about the Evening Series (01284 754914). When you are ready to tackle Open events, which run every weekend through the summer, on minor and main road courses, Ron Back can answer all your questions. (01284 828633)

Road Racing and Circuit Racing

This is bunch racing and is held on open roads with the assistance of travelling marshals and carefully controlled junctions or on closed circuits. There is a very well run League of events in the region with events almost every weekend. Most people commence their road racing career on traffic-free circuits, such as the Hog Hill and Hillingdon circuits in London. In East Anglia we have a series of evening events held at the Lotus Test Track at Hethel in Norfolk during the summer months. These are excellent, catering for experts, clubmen, novices and youngsters. If Road Racing is your aim, Hethel is the place to start. There are also a few closed-road events in the region, such as our own Ixworth Crits. Currently our most ardent road racer is Steve Newman, and he’s the man to talk to. (01284 704856)

Track Racing

This is velodrome racing, on track bikes with fixed-wheel and no brakes. It is the discipline at which Great Britain excel and has enjoyed a big rise in polarity in recent years. The nearest track to Bury is Welwyn Garden City, and racing takes place there every Friday evening throughout the summer. The league caters for club riders up to elite level, and youngsters for 8 – 16. Riders need some training before commencing racing and a few Monday training evenings are enough to instill the confidence needed to ride in a group of 30+ riders. Everyone gets four races per evening. Grass track racing runs to the same rules, but on smaller flat grass tracks, and are held regularly in the summer, such as our own meeting and at the Mildenhall rally. If you’d like to find out about making a start at track racing contact Barry Denny (01284 386409)

CycloCross

This is a winter sport, with a brilliant league in our region, comprising races for all ages and abilities over thirteen rounds. You can use a mountain bike but need a special Cross bike to be competitive. Events require good bike handling, with dismounts and hazards as part of the fun, not to mention mud and wintry conditions ~ but it is an excellent way of improving bike skills and gaining race fitness. Adrian Grimwood is a regular cross rider and would be happy to answer your questions (01284 706825)

Mountain Biking

Although we have no mountains near here we do have some excellent mountain biking terrain in the Thetford/Brandon forests and there are summer and winter series events that cater for all ages and abilities.

Triathlons

Our list would not be complete without this discipline, which continues to grow in popularity and is now catered for within the club. Here again there are numerous events throughout the summer, catering for all abilities for novice to elite, and over various distances. Swimming, cycling and running are the three disciplines, not counting the transitions between each, which I am told are difficult to master. Mike Cross is our new Triathlon Co-ordinator and would be happy to hear from you. (01284 762248)

These notes are intended to be a very basic guide and each of the members listed, and many others, will be all too happy to give you advice on how to start.

Go on, get yourself prepared now, and give it a go when the summer arrives ~ you won’t regret it