Winter Circuit Racing This Winter
Story posted December 4
Intro by Larry Hickmott
When I was racing, I was one of the few who enjoyed maintaining the high end fitness by racing at a weekend for an hour which was my way of doing intervals that were harder than they would ever be doing them on my own. That was seven years ago now and there was only one real Winter Series each year which was run by Doug Collins at the purpose built Hillingdon cycle circuit in West London.
Update -- New Winter Series
Upavon Airfield in Wiltshire (SN9) is the latest circuit to be home a winter series to help riders get ready for the coming road season. Read more here
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This winter
During this winter however, there will be up to four different closed circuits holding winter racing on top of the track leagues at Manchester, Newport and Calshot and of course, no end of cyclo-cross races!
-- Upavon Airfield in Wiltshire
-- The Toachin House Veterinary Surgery Winter Series at Fowlmeade Country Park
-- Imperial Racing Team’s Winter Series at Hillingdon
-- Hog Hill Winter Series at the Redbridge Cycle Circuit
Also: Starting on the 14th of March, will be another three event winter series at Barnsfield.
(Details on all of the events in the British Cycling Racing Calendar - Road)
Hillingdon (Saturday Afternoons)
The series I grew to enjoy and make a lot of friends at is still running at Hillingdon on the Western fringes of London (close to the main motorway network). The series is run by the Imperial Cycling Club who had this to say about the series.
The 2007/8 series was a huge success seeing record entries and a fierce competition for overall honours, eventually won out by Elite rider Paul Pickup. Certainly if you’re looking for a way to spice up an otherwise humdrum winter training programme, then this series will surely do that, and then some. Be ready for battle, that’s all we’ll say for now. You can find out more by clicking here to read about it
Fowlmeade Country Park (Sundays)
The SERRL winter series of races at the new Fowlmead circuit near Deal in Kent is well and truly underway, with 9 races already completed.
The organisers are pleased to announce that a sponsor has donated prize money for the series and that the prize money will be awarded to the best-placed overall riders. The first placed rider will pocket a cheque for £200, with £100 for second place and £50 for third. There are still 9 races left, so there is plenty of opportunity for riders who have not yet ridden any of the series to start amassing some points and compete for the overall prize money!
Races are open to 1st, 2nd,3rd and 4th category riders, are of 1 hour + 5 laps duration and start at 11am - dates are on the website www.serrl.org.uk. Riders can enter on a standard BC entry form sent to Kim Anderson, 4 Teal Way, Iwade, Sittingbourne, Kent, ME9 8QU or online via www.riderhq.com. Pre-entry is just £12.50.
The prize money has been donated by Toachim House Veterinary Surgery of Faversham, Kent. Practice owner Andrew Wills is a keen 3rd cat racer who lists his main achievements as riding L'Alpe d'Huez in a little over 58 minutes and getting his Killer Climb published in Cycling Weekly last summer!
Toachim House Veterinary Surgery also provide the prize money for the Toachim House Grand Prix, the 3rd edition of which will be held on the 2nd August 2009. Previous winners are Chris McNamara in 2008 and James McCallum in 2007. 1st prize in this prestigious event will again be £1,000.
Not content with providing prize money, Toachim House will also become the lead sponsor of Team Toachim with a core of riders from the Downland Cycles team. Downland Cycles will also continue their sponsorship of the team which aims to compete in the SERRL series as well as elite stage races and to gain entry to some premier calendar events.
At this new circuit, riders will find showers and changing facilities as well as a tea bar. The racing kicks off at 11am and you can pre-enter or enter on the line. The circuit may not be hilly but if the wind is blowing, be prepared to hold on tight to the wheel in front if you’re struggling or use the wind to your advantage and have your rivals in the gutter. Races are generally an hour long plus five laps and depending on the number of entries, there will either be two races (Category 1 & 2 and category 3 & 4 in the other. Elite riders will need to contact the organiser.
If the field is really small, then the races will be combined in a handicap format. Because of the wide sweeping bends, the course is not as testing skill wise as other circuits can be and helps the racing to flow fast around the circuit. The course can utilise different circuits from 3.5 to 1.5 kilometres in length.
Event Dates:
December 7
January: 11th, 18th, 25th
February: 1st, 8th, 15th
March: 1st,
http://www.fowlmead.co.uk/location.htm
Hog Hill Winter Series (Saturdays, Redbridge Cycle Circuit)
The brand new circuit north east of London is holding its first winter series which started on Saturday, 6th December. The series will run every Saturday until 21st February, excluding the 20th December.
With four separate races per event, everyone will be able to ride with others of a similar ability level. Ambitious 4th cats can also choose to ride up in the 3/4 event, and confident 3rd cats can test themselves against the E/1/2s. The races are as follows:
12.30 Regional C+ 4th Cat only, 40 minutes, £10
13.15 Regional B 3rd/4th category, 1 hour, £12
13.15 Regional B All Category Women only, 1 hour, £12
14.30 National B E/1/2/3, 1 hour, £12
Races can be entered on the day, and they are offering a special half price entry to Junior category riders. The series registration fee is £7, and this will allow riders to compete for the generous cash prizes on offer for overall placings. Women will have even more to ride for, with a first prize of a top quality race frame donated by Viner bicycles.
Hog Hill has proven to be a challenging but rewarding circuit that produces worthy winners, and its facilities are second to none: changing rooms with lockers and hot showers, and a café where spectators can watch the racing action whilst enjoying a cup of real coffee and a slice of cake.