Track Racing

Track Racing has grown in popularity following the success of the GB Team in the Olympics and World Championships. Track racing takes place on short specially built tracks consisting of two tight, banked corners joined by two short straights. Tracks range hugely in length - outdoor tracks usually being longer and with shallower bankings - but Olympic and World Championship Track racing is generally held on indoor 250m wooden tracks. Many outdoor tracks are concrete or tarmac surfaced.

Track bikes are relatively simple, lacking the gears and brakes of their Road cousins. With bikes having a fixed wheel (forcing you to pedal continuously) the rider controls speed through pressure applied to the pedals. Bikes fall into two broad categories:

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 40km in length.

Closed Road Circuit Racing

Under British Cycling regulations all Under 16 races must take place on traffic-free roads or a closed road circuit, this is often referred to as ‘Circuit Racing'. Circuit racing is a test of stamina, fitness and tactical expertise with a large number of competitors riding in close proximity, commonly referred to as riding in a ‘bunch'.

Learning to ride safely and efficiently in a bunch is a fundamental skill to be developed at entry level. Skills learnt in races will help to lay the foundations for riders to develop the tactical awareness and race skills needed for higher level competition.

At a higher level circuit racing is amazingly varied, the tactical options for a rider or team are almost endless and will depend on the specific layout of the circuit being used. This is what makes it such a wonderful and unpredictable discipline. Often the strongest teams and riders prevail, but the outsider who is prepared to take risks and commit to daring tactics always has a fighting chance. Open Youth circuit races are often up to 20km in length, whatever the distance, on the last lap the first rider over the line is the winner!

Cyclo-Cross

Cyclo-Cross (often abbreviated to 'Cross) is generally an autumn and winter sport. Massed starts make for exciting races, usually no more than an hour in length.

Cyclo-Cross races are usually multi lap events, held on short (typically less than a mile and often less than half a mile), grassy courses, generally in public parks or on school playing fields. Less technically demanding than Mountain Biking, Cyclo-Cross often requires riders to dismount to clear artificial obstacles - often wooden boards. The ability to swap smoothly and quickly from riding to running and back to riding in one fluid motion is a key skill for advanced riders.

Cyclo-Cross bikes often make excellent winter training or utility bikes, with their wide range of gears, so forking out for one often increases your cycling options. Many Road and Mountain Bike competitors use Cyclo-Cross to maintain their fitness during the winter and there is considerable overlap in riders in these disciplines.

Cross-Country Mountain Bike

Cross-Country Mountain Bike races take place on off road courses and generally have more technical sections as well as offering fewer places to overtake than Cyclo-Cross courses. Riders start together (mass start) and complete laps of a specifically marked course with climbing, descending, single track and technical sections (tight turns, changeable gradients, muddy or rocky terrain etc.) all being part of a typical race.

Cross-Country mountain bikes are lightweight and agile with knobbly tyres and the frame is often smaller than that of a road bike, all of these characteristics help riders to negotiate the technical terrain efficiently.