Ok I'm sure everyone will laugh, but...
It has been (casually!) suggested by one of my bosses that I organise a couple of cycle races next year(!)
Now given I know nothing about racing other than casually watching the TdF, is there a basic guide anywhere on what is required/how to go about such a task for a small event?
Cheers(!)
Smudge
CityCyclingEdinburgh Forum » Sport
questions for the road racers...
(18 posts)-
Posted 11 years ago #
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Cycle races or events. The former require more legal stuff than the latter.
Posted 11 years ago # -
Race probably :-( though if I was to go for it I might be able to get the use of a suitable closed roads area ;-)
Posted 11 years ago # -
Try the British Cycling website?
Though I think putting on a proper bicycle race on open roads is very complicated because you have a drafting pack - it is bad enough with triathlon and that's non-drafting.Posted 11 years ago # -
What Fimm said. Putting on a BC-sanctioned event is very complicated and involves a lot of experience, manpower, effort and logistics. The organisers handbook is sufficient to prop up a very short table leg. I would really advise against getting yourself talked into / obliged into becoming a race organiser.
It's far, far, far easier to organise a time trial and there's no BC legalities to be followed if it's not an open event, beyond everyone riding a road-legal bike according to the rules of the road.
There's always the options of a hill-climb too, which of course is just a time trial in an upwards direction!
Posted 11 years ago # -
though if I was to go for it I might be able to get the use of a suitable closed roads area
If it is on closed 'private' roads, and for a group of employees, I'd just call it team building, design a course, and set a date.
Posted 11 years ago # -
Good points thanks :-)
So time trials/hill climbs, how awkward/easy are they then...? (One of the reasons I love this forum, such a wide and qualified depth of knowledge!)Posted 11 years ago # -
At this time of year, I go for a freewheel race.
Posted 11 years ago # -
For a time trial all you really need is a pair of stop watches, a clipboard, some numbers and ~3 helpers. There's 2 watches in case the first fails.
Everyone gets a number and sets (or is pushed) off along a measured course at 1 minute (or for shorter courses 30 second) intervals. The pair of watches are started by the timekeeper as the first person sets off, given a 10-second count down. The timekeeper watches the clock and informs riders to get into position. A second person helps them off and makes sure they don't start off too soon. People should set off in approximate descending order of likely time. I.E. slowest first, fastest last. This decreases the overall time likely required to run your event.
You normally do an out-and-back course so need a marshall at the turn to make sure people don't miss it and if (it's an open road) to call out any oncoming traffic.
Distance depending you might get away with the same people to do the finish as the start because everyone is out long before the first will be due back.
At the finish line you normally need 3 people. The timekeeper, a scribe and someone to call out the numbers / officiate.
The caller calls out the number as the approach, the timekeeper calls out the time as they cross the line. The scribe obviously scribes.
Once everyone is back, you can work out the totals. No point trying this as you go, just aim for accurate recording of the overall time.
That's about it, beyond having a course decided with defined start / finish points.
Posted 11 years ago # -
Alternatively, I can recommend a friend's company that does the timing chip controls for running and bike races.
Posted 11 years ago # -
Are buckets needed for time trials also [for the competitors at the end).
For a freewheel race, you just need a piece of chalk.
Posted 11 years ago # -
Thanks chaps es chapesses, some great info and good food for though. Much appreciated :-)
Posted 11 years ago # -
The triathlon club does informal 10 mile time trials at Silverknowes. My b/f has an app on his phone and tablet that he uses to do all the timing and stuff. Doubtless the proper time trials people would collapse in horror at the very idea of an app rather than a piece of paper and a stopwatch ;-)
Posted 11 years ago # -
Nobody has mentioned tea and cake yet ! Absolutely essential, and lots of it !!
Posted 11 years ago # -
And, just to spoil the levity, once you've decided what you're going to do, have a long hard think about insurance.
Seriously. Particularly if your colleagues are gong to be of mixed ability.
There's a reason why you need to hand in a license before you are allowed to compete on roads, and why BC seem over cautious in their race documentation.
Posted 11 years ago # -
Why not persuade your employer to sponsor a company team instead? You and your colleagues enter a prominent sportive or undertake an endurance event like the Borders Loop. Your employer pays for the tops and nice new Assos shorts. Lots of photo op's (especially if you raise money for his/her favourite charity) and you have a considerably reduced headache.
Posted 11 years ago # -
Benefit of hill climb compared to a TT - tends to be 1-3 miles instead of at least 10. May well be able to find a stretch of road where you need no marshals at all, just a couple of timekeepers. Might find it harder to encourage people to participate though as for some the mere mention of the 'h'-word is enough to make them run off in the opposite direction.
Personally I prefer them - I'd rather be giving 100% effort for 8-10 mins instead of 25-30!
As others have said a road race is a massive undertaking. You won't get it approved without qualified commissaires, lead cars, paramedic cover, possibly even a couple of NEG (National Escort Group) motorbikes, radio communications in place between all of these people, risk assessments, risk assessments of the risk assessments etc, etc. I doubt you'll get it signed off by the police if it isn't British Cycling accredited and if it is accredited then I'm fairly certain everyone who enters will need a BC membership plus racing license.
Good suggestion by Cyclingmollie - if you get a couple of participants that decide not to continue cycling post event then I'd be happy to take the Assos shorts off their hands. Budget normally only extends to Decathlon...
Posted 11 years ago # -
Just occured to me that a certain regular contributor to this forum could probably sort you out with an excellent day of cycle speedway racing...
Posted 11 years ago #
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