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Types of Racing the WCRA Support
ROAD RACING
Events range from short races of an hour or less to stage races which are run over 2-3 days. In the shorter races the first rider across the line is the winner, but in stage races there are prizes for each stage winner, for the best sprinter in the race, the best climber, the leading team and the overall winner.
How to get involved:-
As with all sports, Road Racing beginners can find their feet in easier events. If you are under sixteen you can ride on closed road circuits - these are circuits off public roads where you can ride safely and learn many tactical skills.
The WCRA runs a Handicap Series each year, in which riders of a similar ability are set off in separate groups. The beginners do less laps than the more experienced riders. The aim is for the more experienced riders to catch the beginner riders and all finish together.
The WCRA organizes a Road Race Championship, which is held on open roads and is normally between 80 - 100 km in length.
TRACK RACING
Track racing takes place on short tracks (between 250m and 550 m). 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 30 km in length.
Sprint events include a 500m Time Trial - a straight 500m against the clock and the 1000m Sprint where two or more riders battle it out to be first across the line.
Endurance events include the 'Pursuit'. The aim is to catch or gain time on your opponent who starts on the opposite side of the track. There are also 'Scratch' races where up to thirty or more riders compete against each other to be first across the line or the 'Points' race where riders gain points every 5 laps and the rider with the most points after the set distance is deemed the winner.
Track bikes have a single fixed gear - so there is no gear changing and no freewheel mechanism like other bikes, so you have to remember to keep pedaling at all times.
Many track offer programmes for beginners and hire out bikes.
Some track racing is even held on grass - on a recreation ground or school playing field. The tyres for grass track racing are very similar to the type of tyre you would use for cyclo-cross, a bit knobbly. This helps the bike grip the grass.
The WCRA holds Track Championships each year with events for Youth / Junior and Senior categories. These events include a Youth Omnium / Junior Pursuit / Sprint / Pursuit / 500m Time Trial / Points Race and Scratch Race.
The WCRA has it's own Grass Track Championship which is run over 800m.
MOUNTAIN BIKING
Endurance, fitness and good bike control combine to make a good Mountain Bike rider. Riders compete on a marked out lap of between one to three miles with climbing, descending, single-track and technical sections (difficult terrain or obstacles). Less experienced riders ride fewer laps.
A good way to start mountain biking is to enter a regional race series, the courses tend to be not too tricky and the atmosphere is friendly.
The WCRA has it's own Mountain Bike Championship, which will be run on terrain to give riders of all abilities the chance to compete.
CYCLO-CROSS
Cyclo-cross is an almost exclusively winter sport. Short courses on grass, public parks or playing fields are tackled on bikes that look very similar to road bikes. The tyres have a knobbled tread and the bikes have low gears to make them easy to handle over rough terrain.
The racing is massed start and compete for no more than an hour in length. Cyclo-cross riders are often good at running with their bikes. With obstacles in their way, they are extremely agile at mounting and dismounting.
Races have a relaxed, informal atmosphere and entries are accepted on the day. Mountain bikes are welcome at most domestic events.
The WCRA has it's own Cyclo-Cross Championship, which will cater for all categories of rider.
TIME-TRIALLING
Time-trialling is a cycle race where riders compete alone against the clock with the person who records the fastest time over a set distance being the winner. The length of time trials vary from 10 miles / 25 miles / 50 miles / 100 miles.
For many years time trials have been held on busy dual-carriageways. More recently the emphasis has switched to quieter lanes which are demanding with hills and technical corners.
The bikes used for time-trialling require the rider to be more aero-dynamic than for Road Racing or Mountain Biking.