We return for 2021  for our familiar tight and exciting crit race series.

Entries are almost closed for this coming Friday 23rd July. Men’s 3/4 is full and there are only a handful of places remaining in the men’s 2/3’s. Youth U16 is looking a bit sparse so if you are , or know any U16 riders get your entry in before Wednesday at midnight to be guaranteed a race and a podium finish. , Women’s 2/3/4 currently has 8 entries so if you want to earn those all valuable BC points and havnt entered yet then get in fast so you can make the number up to 10 riders on the line and everyone gets points.

Race 2 23rd July

Watch the 2019 Race promo

Aerial view of Hove Park Crits – pretty cool!

Time trial date changes

Please note that due to a date change of the annual interclub 10 mile time trial, the planned 25 mile time trial for thie Tuesday (22/06) will not take place. We will instead be racing on the G10/97 course with the first rider off at 7. Sign on closes at 6.45 with the fee being £5.

Saturday Group Rides

• Take place every Saturday
• Rides are offered at 22, 24, 27 and 30kmh usually with a long and a short option
• Sign up via Love Admin between Monday and Friday lunchtime the week before
• No limit on numbers as these rides are self-led
• Groups are contacted via email on Friday and then need to set their own meet place/time

Sunday Group Rides

• Take place 1^st and 3^rd Sunday of each month
• Rides offered to non-members are CATi and Steady Social
  • Limited to groups of six as these are led rides
• Members only ride following the CATi course at 22kmh guide pace
  • No limit on numbers as this ride is self-led
• Sign up via Love Admin up until the Friday before
• Groups contacted via email on Friday with details of meet place/time

Thursday Pub Ride

Slightly more complicated…

In normal times, anyone wanting to ride on a Thursday evening would meet at Hill Top Café at 6.30.  Everyone would ride on the road and there would be one or two groups depending on speed and numbers.  A pub would be agreed where those wishing to do so, could convene at the end of the ride for a drink.  Simple.

More complicated now as most pubs require a booking which is limited to a group of six so it’s no longer possible to make a casual arrangement to meet in an undefined group size at a particular pub.  For this reason, many people are, understandably, making their own arrangements to meet in a group of six and ride before going to a pre-booked pub.  It’s also now common for people to go off road instead of on road.

The best I can suggest is that anyone wanting to ride on a Thursday, who isn’t already in a group of six, posts on Facebook of their intention to ride, where they want to meet and whether they are riding on or off road.  Hopefully there will then always be a reasonable number of people with whom members can ride but obviously I can’t guarantee that this will be the case.  As far as pub bookings go for this format…answers on a postcard maybe as I don’t have the answer.  I imagine that it will become easier to turn up on spec at a pub from May 17^th, when indoor spaces are once again in use, so bookings will no longer be required.

Hope that helps.

Although the Easter weather of cloud and just 8 degrees was still present, the reduction of a strong NE wind was welcome, as were dry roads.

Cris Coxon led by 56 seconds after the first lap from Joe Walker and widened the margin by even more on the second lap to win the Hardriders trophy for 2021, and even more remarkable on a road bike.  It is the first time that this event has seen 4 club riders inside the hour on this course, which has been in use each year since 1972.

First       Cris Coxon55           34

2              Joe Walker58           02

3              Paul Thatcher59           00

4              Jack Smith59           56

5              Scott Bartha,1              07           20

6             Robin Johnson, 1              21           00

Blowing everybody out of the water was Steve Kane (Team TMC), who produced a scintillating performance finishing in 51 46, which sets a new course record by at least 2 minutes. Steve was backing up his two 5^th places in each of the two Easter hilly events at Easter.

Next Tuesday (20/04) sees the first evening TT of the season with a hill climb at Mill Hill, Shoreham. First rider is off at 7, £5 entry. Please note a compulsory rear light is required to race!

We will be able to return to group riding from the 29th March. We are still limited to maximum groups of 6 riders and must not meet or congregate in groups larger than that prior, during or after a ride. Sunday CaTi and Steady Social rides for the 4th April are live on LoveAdmin for booking now. Please don’t sign up if you are not going to come and if you cant make it please let us know so your spot can be released to the waiting list as they will no doubt be massively over subscribed.

Saturday rides will be posted soon.