If your thoughts are already with track league this year, perhaps you should treat yourself to a new frameset to really improve your chances?
Friend of the league and Olympian Felix English is looking to move on his last bits of kit so has dropped the price on these remaining items. It is stored locally in Brighton so easy to pick up.
“Affinity frame set from my Six Day racing – it’s a 52cm (I think). Round seat post goes into that aero wedge so it’s adjustable seat height wise. Looking at £550 for the frameset (w/ bars, stem, headset, BB etc). It has my name painted into the top tube though!”
“Various Kronos chainrings from 50-60t – looking for £35-40 per ring (RRP is €90 each). Could sell the lot as a set at discount.”
If you are interested in any of these items contact Felix English by email at Felix.english@btopenworld.com or on WhatsApp (click here).
Just a quick note to say that winter circuits entry is now open on RiderHQ. Click here to enter.
The calendar of events for the winter series is here.
The event cannot run unless we have marshal cover. You can sign up for all events here, or just go straight to signing up for the first one here.
Its easy to both race and marshal:
Race #3 riders can cover race #1 then warm up during race #2
Race #1 riders can cover race #2
Race #2 riders can cover race #3
There’s usually a free hot drink from coops coffee van in it for you, as well as the warm and fuzzy feeling that you are helping keep the local racing going!
Now that we have the requisite key volunteer roles filled the series is being registered with British Cycling and entry systems are being set up. There will be another post once they go live.
We will still need marshalling volunteers (5 per race) and the sign up page for that will open very soon. If every entrant just did one slot nobody would probably have to do more than one. We suggest the following:
Race 3 riders marshal race 1, warm up during race 2.
Race 1 riders marshal race 2
Race 2 riders marshal race 3
You can view the dates and race formats for the series on the calendar page.
This year we are going to try out an open entry 3/4 race in week 4 so third cat racers can opt to do that, for regular C+ points (10 for a win) or try their hand in the 2/3 Regional A Circuit race (15 points for a win).
If it is a success and the two races still balance out we might add more next year.
At time of writing we have had no takers for the committee/non-committee roles announced vacant which will either immediately or soon require filling on the committee.
There was a very poor turn out for the AGM, and the committee had two very real and urgent concerns that threaten the future of racing at the track to discuss but with lack of attendees nothing could be resolved.
Firstly they heard our Treasurer report that once again the track league made a loss, around £440 this time.
Secondly came the all too familiar request for help to run the league, both on the day of racing and also with the day to day tasks that need to be done so that racing happens.
It was a struggle throughout 2022 to get enough volunteers and for the first time ever we had to cancel one night because of this. On top of this we are losing several key members of the committee and the SCRL family this year, some permanently.
Dave is intending to move away from Sussex in 2023 and whilst staying on as treasurer for this year he won’t be taking on any event day duties which means we need help with sign on, judging and the general maintenance of facilities (race numbers etc).
Ben is also moving away (it’s a family thing) so whilst he will continue for now as Chief Judge and also Recorder (making sure results are published and tallied up over the season) he may not be able to see the season out and definitely won’t be here in 2024.
Toby won’t be continuing as “in-person” promoter this year (but can run the back office part for this year only), he tried to step down before last season but had his arm twisted. He is prepared to be at a couple of events for the purposes of training new volunteers but that will be all.
Unfortunately none of the few that attended the AGM felt able to take on any of these roles so 2023 isn’t looking promising.
With that in mind, the committee have decided that none of the racing calendar will be submitted to British Cycling until we at least have commitment to the main roles required for each event in advance.
For now, we have made available signup sheets for our intended Winter Series (see below). All roles need to be filled by lunchtime Friday 20th January or the winter series will not go ahead at all.
There are further issues to discuss regarding the financial feasibility of track league as compared to being subsidised by the circuits but we will see how the winter series goes first. If we can’t run a winter series to subsidise track league the costs for that will go up, probably by at least 50%.
There is another reminder further down the page here about the roles which need filling.
Winter Series
There is a volunteer signup page available for each race (links below) where primary volunteers (non-marshals) can put their name down.
The marshal positions will also require filling prior to the event but these will be on a separate signup sheet closer to the time.
Remember you won’t be left on your own from the off, you will always be shown what to do, and there is nothing you can do that would cause any serious problems or get you into any kind of trouble if you “do it wrong”.
Committee positions are elected representatives. Please contact the committee if you wish to fulfil one of these positions.
Promoter (Register races with BC, set event schedules etc. Back office role covered this year only but will not be attending events)
Treasurer (Manage finances including with British Cycling. Back office duties are covered this year only but needs someone to learn the ropes this year to take over)
Non-Committee Back Office Positions
Facilities manager (Help manage equipment at the track, ensure electronic devices are charged, order new equipment).
Volunteer organiser (Manage the volunteer requirements through the year).
To volunteer for these positions, please contact us.
Event Positions
These are non-committee positions but work best when there is a pool of experienced volunteers who can help train new volunteers.
*Organiser (General running of the event on the day)
Sign-On (manage rider sign on, take payments, handout/retrieve numbers)
Judges and Chief Judges (Judging duties for track and circuits)
*Organisers have to have attended organiser online training with British Cycling and have had the organiser dashboard enabled on their account. If you are interested in this training please contact the promoter.
Saturday 12th November from 5:30pm at Knoyle Hall, Knoyle Road Brighton, right after the PPYCC AGM.
Note that the hall is right next to the Parish Church of St John The Evangelist, not where Google has the marker at time of writing.
Please do not park on the driveway in front of the hall as the committee need it to get equipment in and out.
If you have any agenda items please email them to the committee at committee@scrl.co.uk.
Numbers
If you have not returned your league numbers yet, PLEASE bring it with you to the AGM. New numbers cost money.
Items on the agenda so far are:
Committee and volunteer positions
For various reasons the people performing these duties will be winding down their input over the year before stopping completely, so please consider getting involved early from this year to “pick up the ropes”
Treasurer (Committee position)
Promoter (Committee position)
Chief Judge (Volunteer position)
There are also two other positions which are currently vacant and could greatly lighten the workload for people in other roles.
Volunteer Organiser
Facilities
More information on these roles will be given at the AGM.
Our committee also requires 3 rider reps, of which we only have one at the moment. Ideally we would like a male senior, a female senior and a youth representative (youth A or B).
2023 Dates
More information on our circuit and track racing, plus accreditation dates will be revealed.
Season Review
A financial review of the season
Next Season
Volunteers/Organisers
Information on our plans to try and keep the league viable and spread the workload.
Ladies Night
A change to hopefully make the league more attractive to women racers and encourage more women to join the league.
Awards
Prizes will then be awarded.
There will be awards for league overall winners, championship winners, and committee selected awards which can be read about here (not all committee awards are being given out this year).
This years prize distribution for league places is shown below.
Our AGM is, as usual, right after the PPYCC AGM at Knoyle Hall, Knoyle Road, Brighton on November 12th. Ours will run from 5:30 to 7:30(ish).
The agenda will be published prior to the meeting once the committee agree it. Members will have the option to request adding any items then.
Trophies
If you have a trophy we will require it to be returned to be engraved for this years awards. You should be contacted individually soon, so keep an eye on the spam folders.
Race Numbers
Don’t forget to bring back your race numbers on the night if you haven’t already. If you can’t make it and still have your number please email promoter@scrl.co.uk and we can give you a postal address.
Awards
Awards will be given out as usual. Those receiving an award will be notified beforehand. With reduced income once again this year the prize funds are reduced and will be restricted to the top 3 in each league, plus first placed female and first placed vet.
The threshold to be eligible for league awards is seven weeks, as per the league rules.
Eating! Drinking!
As always please bring some cakes and snacks that we can sell for a small amount to raise some extra funds.
We will also need a couple of volunteers to run the kitchen, contact promoter@scrl.co.uk if you can help.
We won’t be buying any beer this year, it isn’t worth it with the cost of the alcohol licence on top. Feel free to bring a couple of your own if you want though.
Alas, the rain was too persistent and the track will most likely not dry in time. There is just too much water.
Any entries will be refunded automatically, but if you are in a hurry for it you can process this yourself on Rider HQ.
There is a post on our Facebook user group here to see who/how many will still be going for post-season drinks (NOT at the King and Queen, it’s the Crown and Anchor at the bottom of Preston Drove).
Well it certainly was well timed. We’ll be keeping an eye on the weather tomorrow. Right now it’s slightly more in favour of it raining up until about 4pm. Even at 20 degrees, that’s still a bit iffy as to how much the track will dry, so we’ll keep you posted throughout the day and endeavour to give a definitive answer by 5pm. But even then nothing will happen unless we get some …..
Volunteers
Spreadsheet is empty at the moment. Click here to add your name. Also Dave is away, so anyone who could cover sign on is welcome to take it up. Otherwise you’ll have to fend for yourselves and anyone who needs to enter on the day may have to wait until the end of the evening when I’m free to take the payment.
Post Season Drinks
Don’t forget post season drinks are at the King and Queen at the bottom of the road after the racing (if there is any). If we have to cancel, I will pop a post on our racers forum on Facebook where people can flag if they are still up for coming down.
Race Numbers
Don’t forget to give back your number this week after we finish please. All league members will receive an email shortly giving them options for returning outside of a Wednesday evening.
As its the last meet of the season the last race will be a marymoor crawl. This will be for fun and a few token prizes, no league points involved.
For those who don’t know, the Marymoor Crawl is what some people may know as a “slow race”.
Riders will form up on the track, at a predetermined point, (usually around 100 metres-ish) from the finish line. When the start whistle blows, riders may not:
Leave the track
Put a foot down
Lean on the fence, another rider, or anything else
Cross the finish line
Go backwards
At some point after two minutes, the bell will ring, and it is then a straight one lap dash all the way around for the finish line. Prizes usually only for first spot but its always worth sprinting for pride 😉
Get some track-standing practice in!
Judging
Some people have mentioned that they would like to try judging but are too worried about getting it wrong. This is generally unfounded as we never rely on just one person and you would get a few weeks with other judges to get used to it.
So with that in mind, as the Marymoor Crawl does not involve any league points its the ideal race to try it out.
Have a word with the judges at some point in the evening to arrange.
Post Season Drinks
The plan is to pop down the Crown and Anchor at the bottom of the road by the Traffic Lights for a couple of drinks after the racing finishes. Come one come all! (if it is rained off with the small threat of rain that is there at the moment perhaps we will start early!)
AGM and Roller Racing
We are in the process of organising our end of year AGM where trophies and medals can be picked up. Keep an eye on our usual channels for information.
We intend to break out our league rollers for a short roller racing session too. This will be a short “taster” ahead of a planned roller racing evening once a month “out of season”. More info will follow.
Numbers!
Don’t forget to give back your number at the end! Numbers cost money!
