VC Revolution is a Colchester based Cycling Club formed in 2007 by a group of very enthusiastic, friendly cyclists with its primary objective being that every member enjoys their cycling and enjoys it safely.

Members are encouraged to get involved in the running of the club and the promotion of events. Put simply, decisions are made for the good of the club, democratically amongst the members. We welcome anyone of any age and ability new to cycle sport to join us and develop as a cyclist.

Whilst there will never be a requirement or pressure for members to compete, racing is encouraged and the club has a number of competitive riders with many years of racing experience, all of whom are always willing to offer help and advice on racing and training. This experience has been gained in the 3 main areas of cycling of which VCR are interested; Road Racing, Time Trialling and Cyclo Cross.

We are affiliated to British Cycling and Cycling Time Trials and will be looking to join the ERRL (Eastern Road Race League) for 2008 . If you are new to club level cycling and would be interested in racing, the information below should prove helpful.

Benefits

All new members will receive a welcome pack and 2 Free inTechnology branded water bottles and a VC Revolution Car sticker

VC Revolution has formed a partnership with Thomas's Cycle Revolution who have stores in both Colchester and Ipswich, we have managed to agree a tiered support structure which will benefit all:

Non Racing members : A standard discount (in the region of 10%) on all items, plus access to core item at a fixed discounted price (e.g. Met Helmets in Team colours)

Racing members: A structured discount system based on core product lines which are being support by suppliers such as Specialized, SRAM, Shimano etc. This list has yet to be completed buy at present it will equate to close to 20% discount

The quality products available to members will be fantastic and we've yet to hear about the prices of the 2008 bikes that Paul and his team will be making available to us, these also include a buy now and pay at the end of the season offers! so watch this space.

We're constantly working to develop other local partnerships and members will be the first to hear about it via the club Forum.

Road Racing

Membership of cycling’s governing body in the UK, British Cycling, is also required along with the purchase of a racing licence. Costs vary due to the different levels of membership which have been created in a Gold, Silver and Bronze structure. Typically, Gold membership will cost £55 per year with a racing licence costing an additional £30 per year.

Entering a road race will require an entry form to be completed and sent along with your race fee to the event organiser by the date given in the quarterly magazine which you will receive after your membership application to British Cycling has been processed.

If you intend to ride bunched Road Races you will need to purchase a hard shell helmet which meets internationally accepted standards. This is essential as you will not be permitted to start a race without one.

The Eastern Road Race League (ERRL), formerly known as the Essex Road Race League is the premier organisation for club-level road racing in the East of England. Currently, the league consists of 38 member clubs each of whom promote one or more Road Races during the season including VCR’s own road race promotion. Members of ERRL clubs are given preferential entry to these races and compete in a season long competition to be the top team and individual at the end of the year. Currently, races are held in Cambridgeshire, Hertfordshire, Essex, Suffolk and Norfolk. Race fees vary from £10 to around £16. For more information and access to entry forms please browse the British Cycling website at www.britishcycling.org.uk

Time Trialling

A Time Trial involves an individual rider competing over a set distance against the clock. The most common distances competed over are 10, 25, 50 and 100 miles though there are many other events held over non-standard distances. There are also many hillier events held at the beginning of the season too. For this discipline you will not be required to join British Cycling. A racing licence is not required and neither is a hard shell helmet (if you are over 18 years of age) though VC Revolution encourages their use for your own safety. 

Like Road Races, Time Trials require an entry form to be completed and sent with your race fee to the event organiser at least 2 weeks prior to the race. VCR also promotes our own Time Trial which is held over a circuit around Birch in March or April. The entry fee for a Time Trial will be between £6 and £8. For further information and access to entry forms and race related details, please browse the Cycling Time Trials website at www.cyclingtimetrials.co.uk

Cyclo Cross

If you would like to get a bit muddy and compete in the winter then Cyclo Cross is for you. Held under British Cycling conditions, rules regarding hard shell helmets, British Cycling membership, licences and entry forms remain the same as Road Racing. Again, race details can be found in the quarterly magazine.

Cyclo Cross races are normally held over a given time i.e.1 hour or number of laps of an off-road circuit rather than a set distance. Due to the specialised nature of Cyclo Cross racing it is advisable to practice your bike handling skills, be confident in your abilities to run with your bike and negotiate obstacles before entering such an event. Races will typically cost between £8 and £14 and will be subject to the same entry requirements. Please see www.britishcycling.org.uk for further information.

Training rides

Various VCR members are often out training at the weekends and we particularly encourage new members to join the group rides. Training rides are an excellent way to get to know existing members and to gain experience and learn the etiquette of bunch riding on the open road.

We aim to have 2 groups on the road: A faster group which will consist of members who will be honing their speed in preparation for up and coming races and a second group who perhaps have less intention to race and wish to get some quality training in but without the pressure of such intense speed. Group levels will fluctuate at different times of year due to riders racing or resting.

We meet at the junction of St Johns Road and Parsons Heath (A137) opposite the former Lindhill Car dealership at 9am on Saturdays and Sundays (please refer to website and forum section below). To avoid getting too cold we tend to wait a maximum of 10 minutes before departure. If one member of the group suffers a puncture or mechanical problem, the remainder of the group will wait until the problem is rectified.

On Wednesday evenings during the summer months, Colchester Rovers CC hold 10 mile Time Trial events on courses based at Langham and Little Bentley. These are turn-up-and-ride events and are not subject to prior entry though there will be a fee to pay on the night. When able, VCR and other club’s riders compete in these events and use them as training races. For further information, please refer to http://www.colchester-rovers.org.uk/events.htm

Preparation for rides

For members new to cycling it is advisable to ensure you have the correct equipment when out on the road and, of course, different weather conditions require clothing fit for purpose.

Training in the winter will require suitable clothing such as thermal tights, long sleeved jerseys / jackets, warm gloves, overshoes and a rain cape should the heavens open. Proper cycling shoes and head gear such as a helmet or woolly hat are also recommended.

Summer months (depending on the temperature) may only require a short sleeved jersey and shorts. The correct clothing is vital as being too cold in the winter can lead to circulation problems or lead to illness.

To help reduce the many inconveniences that may occur whilst out on the road, it is also suggested that you carry the following items with you;
 

·         Tyre levers and 2 new spare inner tubes
·         Pump
·         Mobile phone
·         Money (for food or possibly a taxi)
·         A multi-tool or series of small selective tools for mechanical issues        
·         Food – Banana / Energy Bar / Rice cake
·         A form of I.D
·         Bottle of drink
·         Helmet

Riding in a bunch can be somewhat daunting for the new rider, as a result we have created some guidelines to help promote safe and considerate riding. These instructions can be found on the forum.

Mountain Biking

All Mountain Biking involves a mixture of fitness and machine control. Getting started is often simply a case of getting a basic mountain bike (a simple Cross-Country hardtail is ideal) and going out and exploring the local countryside. Bicycles can legally use bridleways and Britain has a superb network of these - learn to read a map and get out and enjoy yourself.

Riding competently off-road is a skill which develops through experience and practice. The very best riders can perform miracles, but every cyclist can master the basics and enjoy the challenge of riding away from roads.

One of the best ways to learn off-road skills is by watching other riders. Riding in a group also has added safety benefits. It therefore makes sense to join a club. Click on the Clubs button to find a club near you.

The pleasure of riding in a traffic-free environment cannot be understated. Mountain Biking also puts you closely in touch with nature and the landscape and every ride has the potential to become a mini adventure. However, for some, the ultimate test is to start racing.

Beginners usually find their feet in the numerous Cross-Country events which are run at club level all round the country. Cross-country is a natural starting point for all Mountain Bike racing as it is far less technically challenging than Downhill or 4-Cross and a relatively inexpensive bike will suffice whilst you learn the ropes.

Cross-Country events usually have several races catering for a range of abilities and age groups and are an ideal environment in which to learn the bike handling and tactical skills necessary to succeed. Look out for Fun categories - there are also often categories for younger riders and age related categories for over-thirties. A British Cycling membership and Licence are usually needed for regional and national events.

If you are under sixteen, the category system ensures that you compete against others of a similar age. Adult categorisation is based more on ability. As they become more successful, riders progress through Sport, Senior and Expert categories and the very best become "Elite" category riders. There are also a range of categories for older riders, based on age.

Progression through the adult categories is through a national ranking system, administered by British Cycling, which rewards successful riders with points based on the length and difficulty of an event. Before you start racing, familiarise yourself with the rules of the sport, which include this system.

Don't forget that, during the autumn and winter months, Cyclo-Cross events are usually open to mountain bikes, are cheap to enter (no licence required) and offer the chance to hone racing skills on non-technical courses.

Many riders who enjoy the thrill of technically challenging Mountain Biking turn to Downhill and 4-Cross. If you find you're naturally quick through technical terrain and you enjoy learning about the limits of handling off-road, then these may be the disciplines for you. But don't just think that good skill levels will suffice: although the races are short, they require high levels of fitness and strength.

Downhill and 4-Cross riders often get into the sport via completely different routes to Cross-Country riders. Many of them come from the "street" end of trials riding, BMX and dirt jumping. There is also a considerable cross-over from BMX racing and, interestingly, from off-road motorcycling disciplines such as Trials and Moto-Cross.

Wherever you're coming from, if you fancy a crack at Downhill, you can’t beat going to watch regional and national events for getting a feel for the sport. Some courses, such as the the ones at Fort William and Innerleithen in the borders, are open to the public at times. There's also a growing number of organised "uplift" days, where, for a fee, you can practice on a full-blown Downhill course with transport to the top of the hill and event insurance thrown in. These events are a great stepping stone to competition proper. Check out the British Cycling events calendar for details of events.

Please check with the landowner before using any courses where there is no formal organisation: the sport has lost many facilities over the years through thoughtless misuse. For the beginner, local events on shorter and less challenging courses are available in some areas. Find one you are comfortable with to start your racing career.

There is considerable cross-over in skills between BMX and 4-Cross: many of the skills are similar, so a trip to check out your local BMX club is a good idea if 4-Cross appeals to you. Some BMX events even have classes for 4-Cross bikes.

Downhill and 4-Cross events usually have several classes catering for a range of abilities and age groups. Look out for Novice categories – there are also often categories for younger riders. A British Cycling membership and Licence are usually needed for regional and national events. In return, British Cycling ensures that appropriate insurance is in place when you race and that organisers take their responsibilities seriously.

If you are under sixteen, the category system ensures that you compete against others of a similar age. Adult categorisation is based more on ability. As You become more successful, you will progress through Senior and Expert categories and the very best riders join the “Elite” category. There are also a range of categories for older riders, based on age.

Progression through the adult categories is through a national ranking system, administered by British Cycling, which rewards successful riders with points based on the length and difficulty of an event. Before you start racing, familiarise yourself with the rules of the sport, which include this system.