League Dates for 2019-2020 season

Here are this years league dates and format please get them in your school diaries -

Friday 11^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 8^th November Hackney Downs Cyclocross

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

Friday 13^th December Roller Racing at Forest Road Centre

- for years 4/5 Sign on from 11am - race 12pm – 3pm.

Friday 10^th January Roller Racing at Forest Road Centre

- for years 5/6. Sign on from 11am - race 12pm – 3pm

Friday 14th February Circuit Race Hackney Downs MTB /Cyclocross

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

Friday 13^th March 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 15^th May 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 June Hackney Downs Grass Track

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

Friday 10^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

The YHPSCL is now entering its 11^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 2019-20 –

Schools can enter up to 12 riders at each event comprising 6 girls and 6  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 2 points for 10^th. Every rider participating is awarded a single point. The points system 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. Top thre places for each group at an event win meadls.

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 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. The levee is for race insurance.

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- long hair can obscure numbers so either tuck it in or make sure number is low enough to be seen. Helmets and gloves/cycling mitts must be worn when racing at events.

CCHackney and British Cycling coaches will be giving coaching advice before the races start s o arrive early to help your riders improve.

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. Top tip - Familiarise your riders beforehand about gear selection.

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. As the event is on grass at Hackney Downs smooth tyres are not recommended. Top tip – riders might practise getting on and off their bikes whilst moving.

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. Top tip – encourage riders to change their gears often and select the right gear depending on what part of the course they are on.

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. Top tip – riders should wear trainers or quite fat shoes as smaller shoes slip out of the toe straps when they are racing – if the riders keep their feet flat whilst pedalling this is less likely to happen.

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. Top tip – when cornering riders should keep their inside pedal up and look round the corner to where they are heading next.

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 a number 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. Top tip – keep pedalling at the end of the race and slow down gradually – track bikes have fixed wheels and if riders just stop pedalling they’ll go over the handlebars.

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.

Yours in sport,

Neil Irons

YHSPCL organiser.