Follow britishcycling.org.uk on

Getting Involved: Summer Track Leagues

Track News | Get into Track Racing

Track racing may be one of the most exciting sports there is, but far from being elitist and exclusive, it is easy to get involved thanks to the many summer Track leagues which take place on open air velodromes around the country.

The Welwyn track in Hertfordshire

Track racing is a year round sport and during the Winter, it is restricted to indoor velodromes, like Manchester, Newport (Wales) and Calshot (Southampton) - check the calendar for details of the various Winter Track Leagues.  Indoor tracks are notable by their steep bankings (up to 45 degrees in the corners) and wooden surfaces. Outdoor tracks are generally more novice friendly, with longer lap lengths, and shallower bankings and corners. Surfaces vary, but Tarmac is currently the material of choice when velodromes are re-surfaced.

Summer Basics

Summer track leagues are a great way to learn the art of track racing. They are generally held on midweek evenings. In terms of basics, you’ll need a British Cycling membership (see below), a track bike, helmet  and suitable clothing. You will, in most circumstances, also need some experience of having ridden a track before being allowed to race. See our guide to the Track Leagues for details: Many tracks have bikes available for hire and offer coaching sessions, so you can try before you buy!

Most Track Leagues are run as Regional C (and occasionally as C+), so although you'll need a Gold or Silver British Cycling membership, you won't have to buy a racing licence. Riders with a Bronze membership need to pay £5.00 and non members £10.00 (Youth £1.50) per event.

The track league at West Riding (Leeds) is on grass...

Although most outdoor velodromes are quite similar, being longer less severely cambered versions of the familiar indoor tracks, there are some exceptions: the one at Forest Town (Nottinghamshire) has very shallow bankings and, over its 440 yards,  four straights and four bends; different again is the one in Leeds' Roundhay Park, used by the West Riding League, which is a banked Grass track.

A night out at a track league will involve a variety of races, usually shorter versions of those familiar from World Championships and World Cups, especially Scratch Races, Devils (Elimination Races), and Points Races. There are also events you won’t have seen before, like the Unknown distance event (where the bell for the final lap is rung without warning at random, or at least at the whim of the chief commissaire!). With programmes catering for different categories of riders from ‘freewheelers’ to Youth and Seniors, there is plenty of racing for everyone. There's often an ability based angle, with shorter races for less able and less experienced riders.

Looking beyond Summer Track Leagues, there are also many "open" Track meetings over summer weekends, where National Series events are part of the programme. To find out where there is a track league local to you, click here where we have details on the various leagues.

You can also browse the various pages on the British Cycling website which has further info on the track leagues registered for 2011. For more on precisely what's available and where, check out our detailed guide to the Summer Track Leagues

The historic track at Herne Hill is the scene of track racing in London.

What the organisers have to say ...

Organiser Chris Pyatt from the Brooks Cycles Track League says "There is nothing better than riding an outdoor track on a warm summer evening. 

Peter Waghorn of the Welwyn Track League says "we welcome riders of all ages and abilties to enjoy the experience of track racing in a friendly and competitive environment. Laura Trott and Andy Fenn both started their track careers at Welwyn. 

John Ireson, organiser of the Wolverhampton Wheelers Fred Williams Cycles Track League said:  "Our races are split into groups, therefore you will ride with similar ability riders with an opportunity to progress should you wish."

Mandy Parker (organiser) of the West Riding Track League said "The WRTL has been the starting point for many of our talented GB squad including Lizzie Armistead and Anna Blythe. Racing on grass is a wonderful way to start if you are new to the sport as well as competitive enough for those who are serious about their racing. There are usually a Go Ride training session available in the school holidays."

More on Track Racing on the British Cycling Website

British Cycling’s Guide to Track Racing

Watch a video about Track Cycling with the Help of Paracycling champion Sarah Storey

Keep up to date with the latest news from the world of Track Racing

Find a Track race to compete in by going to the Racing Calendar