Road Racing

Road Racing is a form of cycling racing where you compete in a group, with the first to cross the line being deemed the winner, so tactics are essential. The RNRMCA will be focusing on more Road Races in 2012, so here are a few pointers for those who intend racing for the first time.
• You must be a current member (in date) of a Cycling Club that is affiliated to the BC. For you that is the RNRMCA. If you have not joined the club or your membership has run out then update it soonest.
• BC Memberships are as follows:

• Race Gold Membership £64 a year (that's less than £6 a month) you will receive:
• Access to a Full Racing Licence plus a Provisional Racing Licence
• Weekly email, full of exclusive offers, news and tips
• Up to £10m third party liability insurance
• Personal accident insurance - including 21 days overseas
• Free legal support and advice from our expert team
• Save a minimum of 12% at the British Cycling Wiggle shop
• Save 40% on CNP Professional cycling products and 25% on other CNP products
• Save 10% at Halfords stores nationwide
• Pre-sale access and discounted tickets to major UK cycle events
• Racing Calendar every quarter
• Save up to £23 a year on magazines including Cycling Plus, Pro Cycling and Mountain Biking UK
• Save 40% on AA Membership
• Get a free copy of Rouleur and Privateer worth up to £10 each
• Save 15% on bike insurance - guaranteed lowest price bike insurance
• Save up to 15% on Cycle Rescue, an emergency roadside recovery service for cyclists

• Race Silver Membership £36 a year (that's just £3 a month) you will receive:
• Access to a Full Racing Licence plus a Provisional Racing Licence
• Weekly email, full of exclusive offers, news and tips
• Up to £10m third party liability insurance
• Free legal support and advice from our expert team
• Save a minimum of 12% at the British Cycling Wiggle shop
• Save 40% on CNP Professional cycling products and 25% on other CNP products
• Save 10% at Halfords stores nationwide
• Pre-sale and discounted tickets to major UK cycle events
• Save up to £23 a year on magazines including Cycling Plus, Pro Cycling and Mountain Biking UK
• Save 40% on AA Membership
• Get a free copy of Rouleur and Privateer worth up to £10 each
• Save 10% on bike insurance - guaranteed lowest price bike insurance
• Save 10% on Cycle Rescue, an emergency roadside recovery service for cyclists

• Race Bronze Membership £13.50 a year (that's just over £1 a month) you will receive:
• Provisional Racing Licence
• Weekly email, full of exclusive offers, event and rider news and top tips
• Save a minimum of 12% at the British Cycling Wiggle shop
• Save 40% on CNP Professional cycling products and 25% on other CNP products
• Save 10% in Halfords stores nationwide
• Pre-sale and discounted tickets to major UK cycle events
• Save up to £23 a year on magazines including Cycling Plus, Pro Cycling and Mountain Biking UK
• Save 40% on AA Membership
• Get a free copy of Rouleur and Privateer worth up to £10 each
• Save 15% on bike insurance - guaranteed lowest price bike insurance

Full Race Licence

If you are planning on taking part in a competitive bike race, then you will need to add on a Full Race Licence while purchasing your Membership, particularly if you are going to be doing road or track racing. You will also need a Full Race Licence to earn points in any National or Regional rankings. As a general rule, the higher the standard of race, the more likely it is that you will need to buy a Full Race Licence with your membership.

Provisional Race Licence
A Provisional Race Licence comes free with all Race Gold, Race Silver and Race Bronze memberships and is enough to get you into most BMX, Cyclo Cross, Cycle Speedway and MTB races. To be sure, check with the event organiser beforehand (Please note: If you race on a provisional licence you will not be eligible for any licence points). If you are a Ride member you won't be riding competitively right now, so your membership does not include any type of Race Licence.

Full Race Licence Prices 2011 (2012 prices not yet available)
Purchase can be made online in addition to the purchase of a Race Silver or Race Gold membership. To add a Race Licence to an existing membership call the membership team on 0161 274 2010.

Licence Age Category (2011) / Price of Full Race Licence
UCI Registered Team Rider £74.00
Senior: (18+) £32.00
Junior (16-18) £13.00
Youth (12-15) Free
Under 12 Free

• When you apply, ensure that your first claim club is noted as RNRMCA on your application. This can be done on line. On receipt of a successful application, your licence will be forwarded to the club’s Gen Sec who will then forward it onto the applicant.

• Race entries normally range from £10.00 - £30.00 for local races and £25.00 upwards for higher prestige races. Entries are only accepted on a formal BC entry form and if entering team events the additional team form is to be submitted as well.
• Entries for races normally close about 2 weeks in advance, but some lower priority races may accept on the day. Check the BC events list for full details.
• Road Racing categories are calculated on accumulated points through the season. You will start out as a 4th cat, then aim to become 3rd, 2nd, 1st and finally Elite. It only takes 10 points to go from 4th to 3rd Cat, but more points are required for each category thereafter. The amount of points awarded from 1st place onwards is dictated by the status (National or Regional) and distance (Band) of each event. Some local races will only have 3/4 cats or 2/3/4 cats, so you have more chance of finishing in the points and some are designated as E/1/2 only. Your licence will state your current category and the BC Rankings are updated on a weekly basis. If you move up a category, you will then receive a new licence.
• Races vary from 20 miles (Circuit Race) up to 100 miles (Road Race).
• If representing the RNRMCA, then you must wear the designated club colours.
• The club aims to participate in more Road Races in 2012 (mainly lower profile and within districts), so if you need more info, please contact POPT Mark Smith, the Road Race Secretary/Manager

Want to find out more about the British Cycling (for Road, Track & MTB in UK), then visit:
www.britishcycling.org.uk

Want to find out more about the Scottish Cycling Union (for Road, Track, MTB & TT specific to Scotland) then visit:
www.britishcycling.org.uk/scotland

Want to find out more about the Cycling Time Trials Organisation (England & Wales) then visit:
www.cyclingtimetrials.org.uk