Club Runs and SCC Racing Events
Club members participate in all kinds of different cycle events. Below is an example of some of the different activities about and also information on how to get involved. If you'd like more information to discuss within the club feel free to drop and email to southgatecyclingclub@yahoo.co.uk .
Southgate Cycling Club runs rides for most ability levels.
Saturday Runs: Training style ride, starting at either 8am or 9am dependant upon season and will be between 80 - 140km at 26 - 30kmh.
Sunday Runs: Touring Group - Rides between 60-100km at 21 - 25kmh average.
Training Group- Rides between 80-120 km at 26-30kmh average.
Audax - Audax riding is not a race, not a tour, not a sportive, not a club run. Known internationally as 'a randonnee', it is a unique cycling experience. Though there are rides of all distances, Audax is famed for long distance, self-sufficient cycling (either solo or as a group). Audax UK (link: Home | Audax UK - The Long Distance Cyclists' Association) is the organising body. Visit their website to find out more about events.
Cyclo Cross - Typically held 'off season', 'off road' and with obstacles, races and events are held on closed circuit course. There are locally the Central Cyclo Cross League (Home - Central Cyclo-cross League (centralcxl.org.uk) and London and South East Cyclo Cross League( LCCA – London and South East Cyclo Cross League (londonxleague.co.uk) . See websites for details of events. For CX many people would use a specific cyclo-cross bike, however, if you want to ride just for fun and are not planning on winning, subject to organiser approval you would normally be ok riding a Mtb or other suitable rugged bike.
Road Racing - Held either on open road or closed circuit (crits) there are several events held throughout the season within reasonable distance of North London. There are several organising bodies but the most frequented by club members are British Cycling. You will want to have a racing licence (which can be purchased alongside British Cycling Membership) to take part with BC and events can be found on the relevant part of the British Cycling website (Events - British Cycling) . There are also other bodies including but not limited to British Masters Cycle Racing – British Masters Cycle Racing (bmcr.org.uk) and Home • TLI Cycling .
Time Trials - Time trials are individual events held around a set course to set distances (typically 10, 15, 20, 25, 50, 100 miles or timed events of 12 and 24 hr). The main UK organiser is Cycling Time Trials: The national governing body for cycling time trials . The Club is affiliated to CTT. Events and information can be found on the CTT website.
Track/Velodrome - Racing and riding on fixed gear bikes, there are some convenient options within reasonable distance of North London, namely Lea Valley Velodrome (indoor 250m) and Gosling Sports Park (Welwyn, outdoor 480m). As with road racing, open events can be found on British Cycling Website (linik: Events - British Cycling use filters to isolate track event). Neighbouring club Welwyn Wheelers hosts a Track League at Gosling Sports Park (link: Track League 2022 – Welwyn Wheelers ) . To take part in events you will want to be an accredited rider for the relevant organiser. For Lea Valley this can be done through Track Cycling Accreditation | Lee Valley VeloPark | Better . If racing isn't your thing but you want to take part in structured coach led training, then it is well worth going through the accreditation process to enable you to book yourself onto training sessions at Lea Valley Velodrome.
Sportives - Not a race, not a club run, but mass participation challenge rides. Sportives are held all over the country, throughout the year and on all kinds or surfaces. They are usually privately run, rather than through a set national body, and therefore its recommended to search social media and other advertisements for local events.
For some examples of our runs and our time trial racing calendar please see here:
https://ridewithgps.com/groups/southgate-cycling-club
