• Bit of advice please - looking to enter a race or two over this autumn/winter (just for bit of fun and to break up the winter training) but not too sure on how to enter. I am based in the west London area so what would be the closest races to me? At this moment I don't have a bike, but I am looking to get one so any advice on a decent basic one to start out on (preferably second hand, but could get a new one on cycle to work if it is worth it, but the more budget friendly the better). Never done this before so any advice is greatly appreciated. Thanks

  • All the London league races, info and rules can be found here.

    http://www.londonxleague.co.uk/

    Depending which part of London, some of the central and Wessex league races may be close to you.

    Check out the bcf listings

    https://www.britishcycling.org.uk/events?zuv_bc_discipline_filter_id=4

    As for bike that will depend on budget really

    You'll love it

  • I see your profile pic is of a child! If this is not you but in fact someone you are long-term responsible for I have a few considerations for you:
    CX cost money. You need the right kind of bike (I don't really but let's leave that aside). You need the right tyres. CX is not that pricey but there are entry fees plus you need a BC racing licence.
    CX is more time intensive than a long road ride even though it's only an hour. You gotta get your bike ready and slightly fret over it as if you get a dumb mechanical that's your hour of fun cut down, possibly significantly. Then you gotta get there which is maybe near a train station, maybe not. You might need to drive or get a lift. Only MTBers drive more than CXers. Then sign in an hour beforehand, talk shit about tyre pressure for at least 30 mins.
    Then you race for an hour.
    Then you gotta get home, clean your bike (or not). It's 4/5 hours of faff for 60 mins of racing which is generally enjoy retrospectively because racing CX is rewarding but actually really hard.

    I'll reiterate it's fun as hell and not nearly as expensive as road racing (though not as cheap as track), but it's a whole afternoon of shenanigans which has positives and negatives depending on your circumstances.

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