New to Cycling

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See below for
USA Cycling
UK Go Ride from British Cycling
UK Types of Cycling
UK Young Riders, Cycling Time Trials
UK Time Trialling for Beginners, Cycling Time Trials



USA CYCLING LAUNCHES NEW WEBSITE!
// by Kelly Walker - USA Cycling (719-866-3360) // March 28, 2003


Coming soon...Buy Your License Online!

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo (March 27) -- USA Cycling is scheduled to launch its newly designed website on Friday, March 28. The 2003 website project was undertaken primarily to provide better service to USA Cycling members and promoters and to provide easier and better navigation within the site.

With a new and dynamic graphic look, members and visitors alike can access the disciplines and resources of USA Cycling. The first, new feature that will be launched in 2003 will be the ability for members to buy or renew their licenses on line. This will expedite the entire licensing process for USA Cycling members.

"Our primary, long term goal for the website is to better serve our members," said Gerard Bisceglia, chief executive officer of USA Cycling. "While the website will have a new face, we want it to be a better resource for our members now and in the future as more and more people conduct their business on the internet."

The website will be a work in progress as new functionality and information is added during the next nine to 12 months. On line licensing is only the first of many member benefits that will eventually be offered on the USA Cycling website. In the future race promoters will be able to permit their events and submit post-race results and reports on line. Promoters will be able to build on line race flyers and communicate their race information to USA Cycling licensed riders in a targeted area via direct e-mail and USA Cycling's website.

The improved flow of information between USA Cycling and race organizers will also make the USA Cycling Results and Rankings program much more timely so that riders can track their regional and national ranking throughout the season.

Members will be able to create their own race resume' and build a race calendar and post results to their personalized site within the USA Cycling website.

USA Cycling contracted with Global Reach Sports (GRS) to design the new site and create all of the new functionality.

About Global Reach Sports

Global Reach Sports (GRS) provides Internet services to sport organizations through their SportsPower solution. This technology provides governing bodies with services for on-line membership, event registration, competition results and rankings, on-site event management software and other services. Global Reach Sports is the parent company of BikeResults.com web site and clients include the U.S. Ski and Snowboard Association and NASTAR. For more information contact David Ross at (802) 879-4800, DavidRoss@globalreachsports.com or Epic Sports Marketing at (719) 473-6691, lklein@epiccomp.com.

About USA Cycling Recognized by the U.S. Olympic Committee and the Union Cycliste Internationale as the governing body for the sport of cycling in the United States, USA Cycling promotes competitive cycling through its 45,000 members and 2,000 annual events. USA Cycling associations include the United States Cycling Federation (road and track disciplines), National Off-Road Bicycle Association (mountain bike disciplines), U.S. Professional Racing Organization (professional men’s road) and the National Bicycle League (BMX disciplines). For more information, contact Communications Coordinator Kelly Walker at (719) 866-3360 or visit www.usacycling.org.

UK Go Ride from British Cycling

UK Types of cycling

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There are many reasons to go cycling: different journey purposes and different personal motivations for making that journey by bike. If you’re new to cycling, this page will help you decide what kind of cycling you most want to do. Or if you already know what you like, read on and perhaps be inspired to broaden your cycling interests.
There are as many different styles of bike as there are types of cycling and you’ll find links to other pages on this site that describe how each bike is designed for its purpose. You’ll also find links to further information about the various cycling activities briefly mentioned here.

Transport

This is by far the most important kind of cycling: economically important because it takes people to work, the shops and to school, environmentally important because it replaces polluting means of transport, and important for health because it offers an ideal form of exercise that almost everyone can make part of their routine. Moderate exercise taken every day is far more beneficial than one big workout per week, so if you don’t already cycle for all your local errands, think about it now. Transport cycling is mostly a matter of getting from A to B with minimum fuss. You shouldn’t have to wear special clothes and though you don’t really need a special bike, it helps if it’s designed for low maintenance and to keep your clothes clean. Instances when transport cycling becomes more technical include:
Long-distance commuting
Most people live less than 5 miles from their work and that’s no problem, but if you have further to go a more sporty touring, audax or even a racing bike and special cycling clothes may save more time than it takes to shower and change. Or maybe you can mix modes: use a train or bus for most of the distance and either keep a bike parked both ends or take a folding bike with you. Some people drive halfway to work and literally park and ride.
Shopping
This needs big panniers, a bike designed to carry them (i.e. city, trekking, or touring bike) and a change of habits. Shop more often and enjoy fresher food! A bike is easy to park so visit the shops on your homeward commute and it won’t take extra time. You can even do the big weekly shop by bike: all you need is a trailer, or maybe a workbike.
School run
All the child seats, trailers and tandem adapters that make family cycling possible can also be used for the journey to school etc. Cycling is, of course, the only independent means of transport (other than walking) available to children. A kid’s bike is freedom. But the more cycling you can do together as a family before those first solo flights from the nest, the safer they will be.
Recreation
Cycling is not only useful, it’s fun! Kids cruising the neighbourhood on their BMXs – a round-the-world tour – it’s all recreation. Cycling is a great way to explore: fast enough to cover the ground and provide a continual change of scene, but slow enough to take it all in. On a bike you can smell the flowers, feel the breeze and stop wherever you want to take a closer look. That’s usually incentive enough to get out there on a bike, but if you need another reason, find out about the BCQ.
The moderate exertion of cycling sharpens experiences and sharing them is even better. Cycling is sociable, so go with friends and family or a CTC local group. Clubruns vary from fast and furious to a Cafe To Cafe potter, we’ll help you choose the right one. As for the right bike: that depends on how much ground you want to cover in the time and what it’ll be surfaced with.
Day-rides
A ride lasting anything from an hour to all day does not need much preparation or special equipment. A map, a bottle, a snack, basic tools and a wind/waterproof will do. Use whatever sort of bike seems suitable for the surfaces you want to ride on and the speed you want to go. The same applies to the kind of cycling holiday comprising one-day excursions from a fixed base, or when there is motorised “support” to carry your luggage from place to place.
If going in a group, find out what sort of riding is involved: how fast, how hilly, how much on or off-road and how rough. It always helps if all the riders in a group have similar sorts of bikes and expectations.
Touring
Self-sufficient cycle touring needs a bit more equipment and a bit more work, but is probably the most satisfying way to travel. New horizons continually beckon and you have everything required to reach them. Actually, if you pack a big enough credit card, that needn’t be much more than you take on day-rides. The ideal kind of bike is, not surprisingly, a touring bike, but an Audax bike will do for credit-card touring.
At the other extreme a camping tour into remote areas needs lots of stuff and a sturdy expedition bike to carry it. Either way: no more is needed for a month away than a week. Most people do something in between for a fortnight.
Organised cycling tours are available from a variety of companies (most of which advertise in CYCLE) and the CTC Tours Company.

Off-road

For many people “off-road” means railway trails, towpaths and the like. They’re avoiding traffic not tarmac and an inferior surface is just a price worth paying for freedom from pollution and danger. If that’s your motivation you’ll generally keep to passably surfaced tracks within the capability of a hybrid, trekking or touring bike.
Real off-road riding definitely implies something more challenging. And if you want to get even further away from it all, into places where the only trail is rough, rocky and rooty, a mountain-bike will be wanted. Exactly what sort of mountain-bike depends to a degree upon what aspects of mountain-biking you find most appealing. For some mountain-bikers the challenge of the path is far more important than the place. They crave all the latest trail-taming technology may be happier going around a purpose-built loop in a forest than on a “natural” route (all routes are actually man-made) that goes somewhere - with all its natural imperfections. At the other extreme you have the traditional Rough-Stuff cyclist: a lover of wild places who rides many miles on road to reach his wilderness and is content to push or carry the bike through it. Some rough-stuffers do not even use a mountain-bike, reasoning that a tourer is better for the approach and no worse to push and carry!
Most off-roaders fit somewhere between those two extremes, deriving equal pleasure from wild or merely backwoods places and the cycling challenges they offer. The byways and bridleways of Britain provide such questing riders with limitless opportunities for independent off-road exploration, or if you prefer your adventures tried and tested you can visit a CTC Off-road Centre where networks of trails have been mapped out. You can even do mountain-bike touring – preferably with motorised support since panniers or a trailer seriously limit what is rideable. Even with a top mountain-bike, rougher or softer surfaces increase the effort required to roll a wheel, reducing how far you can comfortably go in the time. “Rough-stuff counts double” is a good rule of thumb.

Fitness

Cycling for fitness and the thrill of speed is an increasingly popular recreation that borders upon racing and uses the same kind of bike or something similar. It’s essentially a road activity, with even mountain-bikers finding it useful to hone their speed and stamina on road. Reason being that on the open road there is nothing to stop you trying as hard as you can; and since tarmac has less drag, that effort is rewarded by more speed – encouraging you to try even harder! Any kind of bike with a reasonably rewarding road performance will do, be that racer, audax, tourer or so-called fitness bike. The final choice depends upon what other things you want to do on that bike and what you’re used to riding.
It helps to have a goal when you’re getting fit and the CTC Challenge Rides provide an ideal opportunity to test your fitness. Also, in most parts of the country most weekends throughout the year, there are reliability or “Audax” rides – many organised by CTC local groups – that challenge you to cover a long distance (often hundreds of kilometres) within a specified time. None of these events give prizes for finishing first so it’s not racing – honest!
Fitness riding can be a solitary activity, fitted in whenever you have a spare hour or two, but becomes much more rewarding if you ride with a sociable and slightly competitive group. So it’s good to join a club or make contact with your local CTC. Most DAs have a fast or “hardriders” section.
Competition

CTC doesn’t aim to provide for racing, but recognises that many of its members also participate in cycle sport. The main cycle racing organisation is “British Cycling” and the main forms of racing are as follows.
Road
Cycling differs from most other forms of human competition in the duration of its events (most cycle races last even longer than a marathon), the huge benefit of slipstreaming another competitor. Equipment and the skill to use it also plays a part, but cycling differs from other “techy” sports in that human strength and endurance is still the overwhelming factor. All these characteristics of cycle-racing give rise to sophisticated individual and team tactics, so that to win requires brains as well as brawn, not to mention a little luck.
A cycling “road race” is just that: all start together, first to finish wins. It’s a long race lasting several hours and usually from place to place, but in Britain more often on a circuit due to the lack of suitable roads. It’s horses for courses with powerfully muscular riders more likely to win on a flattish route whilst slim guys come to the fore on the mountains. A “criterium” is a shorter race, on a tight circuit usually in a town centre to entertain crowds and where the frequent corners emphasise bike handling skills.
In Britain most road-racing is in the form of time-trials (controlled by the Cycling Time Trials, www.cyclingtimetrials.org.uk/ ), where riders are set off at intervals, usually alone or sometimes in teams, and slipstreaming is not allowed – except between team members in team time-trials.
A stage race, taking place over several days or even weeks, comprises mostly road races with the occasional time-trial stage. Aside from the overall winner on total time, there are points prizes for the best hill-climber, sprint finisher etc. The team and individual tactics combined with the exhausting effort of racing for hours day after day provides all the intellectual and athletic drama of a major football contest.
Off-road
Competitive mountain-biking mirrors skiing: with cross-country, downhill and even dual slalom events. Like skiing, downhill has all the glamour whilst cross country has all the work! The latter is more like actually riding somewhere and uses similar equipment. And unlike road-racing, bike swaps are not allowed – which helps to keep the cross-country racing mountain-bike practical and versatile.
Bike handling skills play a major part in all forms of mountain-bike competition, and are the whole thing in trials riding. Mountain-bike racing comes closest to touring in Trailquest and “Polaris” events: a kind of orienteering where route-planning and navigation becomes almost as important as riding ability.
Cyclo-cross is an off-road sport that pre-dates the mountain-bike. It’s cross-country with worse obstacles, deliberately intended to be unrideable. You can try to ride any kind of bike around the course, but the places where you’ll have to run and carry it favour something light. And bike swaps are allowed. (Some riders have a team of trackside helpers handing up different bikes for the carrying and riding bits!)
Track
Not to be confused with off-road tracks and trails. By “the track” we mean events held in a velodrome: a specially built oval track with a speedily smooth surface (usually hardwood) and steeply banked curves to keep the riders from sliding out. A minimal kind of bike is used with one fixed gear and no brakes, to complete in as many different forms of race as can be run on an athletic track – only much faster and more exciting on wheels – with the effects of slipstreaming and the bankings to impart additional tactics and accellerations. It’s as far from normal cycling as you can get, but a great spectacle, and a good way for youngsters to get into cycle racing away from road traffic.
Other Events
You can also do grass-track racing (no banking – just an oval marked out on a field). And races (usually road time-trials etc.) are organised for different configurations of cycle, e.g. tandems, tricycles, recumbents, even penny farthings! Then there’s BMX of course, various trials of skill on these or other kinds of bicycle, pedal-cycle speedway, even bicycle polo!

UK, Young Riders, Cycling Time Trials, Getting Started

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Time Trialling is a sport that is enjoyed by young and old alike. Of all the branches of cycle sport, it is probably the easiest to get into as no specialist equipment is needed. Its popularity lies in the fact that every rider can set his or her own standards and, unlike other forms of racing, nobody gets the feeling that they are being left behind.
In a time trial, you may finish many minutes behind the event winner, yet have the satisfaction of recording a personal best time. Thus, time trials are unique, in that it is possible for everyone to be a winner.
Some of the World's best riders began their competitive cycling in time trials.

Olympic and World championship rider Chris Boardman is another that you may have heard of. Chris is a former winner of the prestigious GHS 10 mile Championship and numerous other National Championships. As a professional Chris used to ride for the GAN & Credit Agricole Teams in France. He has not only ridden the Tour De France but has been the race leader on a number of occasions. Chris retired from competition after the Sydney Olympics Yvonne McGregor came into time trialling from triathlons. As well as winning a gold medal in the Commonwealth Games, she has held the World Hour Record.
You can ride a time trial on any sort of bike. Andy Wilkinson won the 1995 24 Hour Championship on a mountain bike! Sean Yates, another former Continental professional and Tour De France rider, began his career as a time triallist. Although he is now a team manger with the Danish CSC team he rides Time Trials in the UK whenever he can.



Let's get the important bits out of the way first:

You have to be 12 years of age or over
You can ride on any sort of bike (except, of course, a motorbike - let's not be daft!) so long as it's roadworthy, including a mountain bike
You don't have to be a member of a cycling club
You don't need any special clothing, but baggy trousers might get caught in your chain (and will certainly slow you down!)
If you are a Junior ( Under 18 or your 18th birthday is between 1st Jan & 31st December this year) you need to wear a Protective Hardshell Helmet. If you are under 18, your parents will have to sign a consent form, allowing you to compete Your first race will probably be 10 miles. It's not really that far and should take you less than 45 minutes to complete. Riders are set off at 1 minute intervals and timed to see how long it takes them to complete the course. It doesn't matter who crosses the finish line first, the winner is the rider who records the shortest time.
When you ride another event over the same distance, you should aim to beat the time you did in your first race.
Some races have handicaps, in which slower riders are given a time-allowance which is subtracted from their final time. Thus, fast and slow riders can compete almost fairly together. It's usually the slower riders that win handicap prizes!
Still interested?

So what's stopping you?
Find out about your local cycling club. Your local cycle dealer may be able to help you or you can contact Phil Heaton, who has the names and addresses of every cycling club in the Country.

Make contact with your local club - don't be shy, we all have to start somewhere.

Find out where local club races are being held and ask for a consent form if you're under 18 years of age (don't forget to get it signed by one of your parents!)
Get advice from club members about adjusting your bike so that it is easier to pedal, so that you can go faster!

How much will it cost?
Entry fees for club races are usually less than £1. Specialist cycling equipment is expensive, but you don't have to have it. Cycle clothing can be expensive, but no dearer than other fashion or sports clothing.
If you really want to look cool, buy some shades.

Safety!
Remember, you will be competing on public roads and therefore you must obey the highway code.
A hard-shelled helmet is compulsory for all Junior riders and highly recommended for all other competitors. Clothing should be tight-fitting and brightly coloured, so that you can be easily seen. Your bike must be roadworthy and, of course, you must look where you are going at all times.

For further details contact:
Cycling Time Trials
Phil Heaton (National Secretary)
77 Arlington Drive,
Pennington,
Leigh,
Lancashire,
WN7 3QP
Telephone: (01942) 603976
Mobile: 07774 153826
E-mail: phil.heaton@cyclingtimetrials.org.uk

UK,Time Trialling for Beginners

TEAMHUMMINGBIRD IS NOT CONNECTED TO OR PART OF THE CHARITY DIABETES UK Time Trialling for Beginners Over the years the Regulations governing time trials have grown and become more complicated. This makes it difficult for the newcomer to the sport to find the important things they need to know about time trialling before riding in a race. These notes contain the main features from the Regulations relating to racing and competitor's behaviour but in no way do they detract from or alter those regulations. a)Minimum Age The minimum age for competitors is 12 years. This is in the interest of safety as most time trials are conducted on open public highways and it is not practicable to try and supervise all minors throughout the event. It is therefore essential that young competitors know the Highway Code and are competent to ride on the roads alone, and have the authorisation of their parents to compete (if under 18 years of age). b)Time Trial Races The minimum distance for a time trial is generally 10 miles but shorter races are permitted. Most races are at either fixed distances (10. 25, 50 and 100 miles) or fixed time (12 and 24 hours). Riders start at one minute intervals, or sometimes more, and cover the course as fast as they are able alone and without taking pace from other competitors or vehicles. When a competitor gets caught by another one the Regulations require the overtaken rider to fall back to a distance behind the other one where he/she is getting no shelter or help from the faster rider. At least 50 yards/metres is required. c)Safety When time trial courses are designed safety is a major consideration. However, ultimately it is the competitor's conduct which determines how safe a course is. The races are held on open roads and competitors must obey the law of the land relating to road travel before, during and after a race, Competitors must be responsible for their own safety and also avoid creating situations which are unsafe for other road users. There are a number of points which will help the beginner, and others to enjoy safer racing: 1)A cyclist is less likely to be seen than a car or lorry by drivers of vehicles. You need to remember this when approaching any road junction. To improve visibility from the rear (as well as identifying the rider) all riders are required to wear a bright fluorescent number. This needs to be positioned on the rider's shorts from the waistband downwards, or as near to that position as possible since an overhanging jersey would cover it in that position. The number should not be positioned high on the back like a runner's numbers are. 2)U-turns in the road are another hazard as drivers of vehicles are not normally expecting another road user to make this manoeuvre. It is Company policy to eliminate U-turns from courses and to reduce their use where they cannot be avoided. They are also a hazardous manoeuvre both before the race whilst riders are warming up or circling in the road prior to starling and after the race when riders return to the result board or to their cars. 3)Head down riding is another major hazard as the rider will not see an obstacle on the road. Even on a Clearway cars may stop at the side of the road due to breakdown or to consult a map or for some other reason and it is no good saying "The car should not have been there". The answer to that is "You should have seen it". This type of accident is one of the types covered by the Regulation about the observance of the Law and if the rider is found to have contravened this regulation then a suspension from competition is normal. 4)Any road junction or roundabout can constitute a hazard in a race. Competitors are travelling much faster than motorists are used to seeing cyclists moving and this may cause the motorist to make an error of judgement. Be ready for it. Slip roads joining and leaving dual carriageways and other major roads are places where care is particularly necessary due to the long distance where a cyclist can be between two lanes of merging traffic or vehicles leaving the main carriageway at high speed. d)Accidents If you have an accident during a race, no matter how minor it may seem, you are required to report it to the Event Secretary as soon as possible. e)The Bicycle There are some restrictions regarding the equipment which you can ride in a time trial. Your brake levers must be positioned so that yon can get to them quickly in the event of an emergency from your normal riding positions. Clamp-on Triathlon bars with forearm supports, and equiva-lents, may be used. A solid disc wheel may be used at the rear of your bike but must not be fitted as the front wheel. Spoked and composite spoked (tri-spoked) wheels may be used in the front and rear wheel positions. Under no circumstances may streamlining devices be used. f)Clothing and Advertising Clothing for time trials is generally a short sleeved racing vest and cycle racing shorts which cover the upper part of the thigh to just above the knee. Nowadays this is often a one-piece skinsuit. The wearing of a helmet is recommended for all and is compulsory for all Juniors. The subject of carrying advertising on race clothing in time trials is complicated. Basically if you are a member of a sponsored club (or a professional) you may carry your sponsor's name(s) on your race clothing. Other than that nobody may carry advertising on their race clothing in a time trial (except in club events) except, where the manufacturer puts his name on one of the products which he makes. Thus cycling shoes with the name of the manufacturer e.g. Sidi, Look, etc. may be worn but a racing vest or hat with the name of somebody who did not make it e.g. Raleigh, Campagnolo, your local cycle dealer etc., may not be worn unless they happen to sponsor your club. g)Entering Races Whatever type of time trial you are entering you must be a member of a club which is affiliated to Cycling Time Trials. Being a BCF or CTC member does noti generally qualify you to ride time trials unless your British Cycling Division or CTC District Association is affiliated to Cycling Time Trials. If you are entering a race the closing date by which the organiser must receive your entry is usually just under two weeks before the race. It is advisable to send your entry just a little bit earlier than this to allow for delays in the post. Entry must be on an official Cycling Time Trials Entry Form. Unless otherwise specified the fastest entrants at the distance being entered will be accepted — only times done during the past three seasons qualify. If you are under 18 years of age your parents must sign the Parental Consent Form. Entry to Club events is different, usually being "entry on the line" on the day of the event. You will be required to sign a Club Entry Form and if under 18 must show the organiser a Parental Consent Form. Once your entry has been accepted for a time trial you will receive a start sheet a few days before the event giving details of the course, prizes and your starting time. After the race you will receive a result sheet showing where you finished in the event and confirming your official time. h)Courses And Watches Courses are measured to a high degree of accuracy using special equipment and methods. Whilst marshals are appointed to assist riders to get round the, course, it is your responsibility to make sure you know the route to follow in the race. The watches which timekeepers use must also meet high standards of accuracy, have certain features which generally prevent wrist watches (even digital ones) from being used and be certified by an approved watch tester. The timekeepers word regarding your time is final, but if you have a query leave this until the event is over when the timekeeper will be able to cheek his figures. Cycling time Trials