2017-18 league dates

Young Hackney Primary School League 2017-18

The league schedule for this year should be as follows - any changes will be sent out 

Friday 13^th October Springfield Park Hill Climb

- for years 4/5/6. Riders sign on from 12pm, sign on close 12.50pm, race starts 1pm – 3pm

Friday 10^th November Hackney Downs Cyclocross

- for years 5/6. Riders sign on from 12pm, sign on close 12.50pm, race starts 1pm – 3pm

Friday 8^th December Circuit Race Lea Valley Velopark, Olympic Park

- for years 4/5. Riders sign on from 12pm, sign on close 12.50pm, race starts 1pm – 3pm

Friday 12^th January Roller Racing at Forest Road Centre

- for years 4/5/6. Either attend Morning session 10-12 or afternoon 1pm – 3pm.

Friday 23rd February Circuit Race Lea Valley Velopark, Olympic Park

- for years 5/6. Riders sign on from 12pm, sign on close 12.50pm, race starts 1pm – 3pm

Friday 9^th March Hackney Downs MTB

- for years 4/5. Riders sign on from 12pm, sign on close 12.50pm, race starts 1pm – 3pm

Friday 11^th May Hackney Downs Grass Track

- for years 4/5. Riders sign on from 12pm, sign on close 12.50pm, race starts 1pm – 3pm

Friday 8^th June Hackney Downs Grass Track

- for years 5/6. Riders sign on from 12pm, sign on close 12.50pm, race starts 1pm – 3pm

Friday 6^th July Hackney Downs Grass Track

- for years 4/5/6. Riders sign on from 12pm, sign on close 12.50pm, race starts 1pm – 3pm

format-

YHPSCL League Format

The YHPSCL is now entering its 9^th season. Over the years it has grown and become more successful at introducing children to cycling and cycle sports in a safe and fun atmosphere. Cycling Club Hackney run the league under the rules of British Cycling’s Go-Ride racing where the emphasis is on having fun whilst competing. Each of the different events have differing sets of rules and formats laid out below. For schools entering the league the format is as follows for 2017-18 –

Schools can enter up to 12 riders comprising 6 girls and six boys – if an event is for three year groups then this means 2 girls and 2 boys from each year group and if the event is for two year groups this means 3 girls and 3 boys from each year group. Schools should not bring more than 12 riders and if they entered more boys than girls to make up the numbers for instance only the correct amount would be eligible for points.

Points are awarded at each event for the riders finishing in the top ten 10 points for 1^st down 1 point for 10^th. This is for each year group and gender with the totals making up the school’s points for that event. The school with the most points at the end of the season wins the league.

With around 100 children taking part each time it is important schools send in a team sheet in advance – this ensures names etc are spelt correctly and time is not wasted on the day. Teams arriving late for events will only be able to race at the organisers discretion.

Helmets and gloves/cycling mitts must be worn when racing or prating at events.

The events are registered as Go-Ride races on the British Cycling event calendar meaning there is a levee of £1 per rider to be handed in when signing on. This is sent to British Cycling in return for medals.

You can show your riders this film of the league by way of introduction - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sGrqno1qVnU&feature=youtu.be

Event Formats

At all events the school should sign the riders on the start sheet and receive numbers to be pinned using four pins on the riders backs – usually on the left above the hip. Numbers must be visible to the judges for riders to get a result.

Hill Climb – a hill climb is an individual race against the clock. Riders are given a number and must present themselves at the bottom of the hill 5 minutes before their number is due to start. Number 1 will start 1^st followed 2 after 1 minute then the remaining riders at 1 minute intervals. Riders missing their slot will not be given a time. The hill at Springfield typically takes the riders between 30 seconds to 1 minute to climb – it is very steep so if they stop they should jump off and run with the bike to the finish line to get a time.

Cyclocross – cyclocross racing is conducted on a mixture of surfaces – grass, mud, tarmac – and obstacles – hills, corners, hurdles - round a short course over a number of laps. Riders usually have to jump off their bike at some point and run with it. It is a mass start race with riders gridded at the start. Each year group and gender race separately. MTBs, hybrids and cyclocross bikes are suitable for this event.

Circuit Races – circuit racing is like cycle road racing except it’s on a closed road meaning no vehicles. It is a mass start race with riders gridded at the start. Each year group and gender race separately. Road bikes, hybrids and cyclocross bikes are suitable for this event.

Roller Racing – is conducted indoors on bikes fixed to a stand. The riders compete against the clock four at a time. Riders do not need to bring bikes for this event.

MTB race – a mountain bike race is similar to cyclocross racing except there would be no running with the bike. It is a mass start race with riders gridded at the start. Each year group and gender race separately. MTBs, hybrids and cyclocross bikes are suitable for this event.

Grass Track – grass track is similar to the track racing you find in velodromes with riders competing around a short oval on fixed wheel track bikes(supplied) in anumber of short races of differing formats.

It is a mass start race with riders held at the start. Each year group and gender race separately.

Schools are encouraged to set up after school cycling clubs where interested children can learn and train together to assist the team in the league. Cycling Club Hackney has qualified coaches that may be available to assist with this. Contact me for more information – in addition British Cycling can arrange to undertake sessions at schools during class time – for more information on this or anything to do with the league please get in touch