Thinking of racing? Here's what's required

Well you picked a pretty 'big' race. A bit of carefull selection from the calender might help.
I been dropped or been involved in incidents and I've usually managed to join a lagging group for a bit of in race competition.
I think andyp might be able to point you in the right direction for london area races.
If you can get up the M1 I know Cranfield and Towcester are pretty user friendly. Or the Hillingdon and Milton Keynes Crits, they'll get you going quicker.

noted re the 'big' race. it was a bit in at the deep end.

clayton velo are the cycling club local to my northern roots so i have started riding with them. i can just about hack it on their training rides. a couple of thier guys encouraged me to enter. although i noticed not many of them did the race.

you live and learn / what dont kill you makes you stronger and all that.

i will probably join east london velo for my london riding and racing and get in on the hog hill scene.

do you race ?

are you in a cycling club ?