Andover WHEELERS

The most famous cycle races are multi-stage contests, like the Tour de France, the Giro d'Italia, the Vuelta Espania and the Tour of Britain. There are also one day classics, like the Tour of Flanders, Paris Roubaix and the Milan San Remo.

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Club promoted cycle races in this country usually have 60 to 80 starters sorted into fields based on ability. They are held both on closed circuits and on the open road. The objective in a road race is to be the first person over the line.

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Beginner’s races are typically about 20-30 miles long. The race pace will vary a lot and choosing the right time to expend energy is what road racing is all about. The fittest cyclists do not necessarily win, but the savviest fit cyclists usually do.

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Most people start racing in the safer surroundings of a closed circuits. Beginners should look for 4th Category only races. These are aimed at their level of fitness and take place on close circuits like:

• Thruxton

• Castle Coombe

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In 2019, Andover Wheelers promoted two open road races, the Stockbridge Down Road Race and the Pewsey Down Road Race.