There are more opportunities for regional racing in the months ahead for all ages from Youth E (U8) up to Youth A (U16). Here are some of the highlights, these are by no means the only races so use the British Cycling Events page to make sure you don’t miss anything else.
Many of these events will have closing dates so should be booked a few weeks in advance, and sometimes organisers will cancel if entries are low in the run up to the event. So book asap to avoid disappointment.
Circuit races
Hove Park Crits are being prompted by Brighton Mitre on 2nd June and 16th June. 14-16 year olds are eligible, please support this race as there are not many local circuit race opportunities and entries are currently low.
Winchester Park & Ride crit series on Sun 18 June (hosted by Sotonia CC) and Sun 02 July (hosted by VC Venta). All ages can enter.
Eastern Counties Festival at Redbridge on Sat 03 June. U12, U14 and U16 can enter this.
Crystal Palace circuit series. A Tuesday evening series on a closed circuit at Crystal Palace running for 10 weeks. Youth races happen before senior races, and the youth races are FREE OF CHARGE. Entries on the night. See the Dulwich Paragon organisers page.
Spring in the Park series at Cyclopark. A series of 7 races on Friday evenings or Saturday mornings at Gravesend Cyclopark that continues into June, always a good PPYCC turnout at this one. The series has its own website.
Guildford town centre crits are on Weds 5th July and an exciting opportunity to race around town centre streets. Suitable for all ages, book via BC website.
Talent development centre sessions are for Youth A and Youth B riders. A cluster of London clubs are running a series of Regional Development Centres at Kempton Park Racecourse which all clubs are invited to. The circuit race sessions will be structured and progressive focusing on racing techniques for crits and circuit races.
Track races
Sussex Cycle Racing League, Preston Park. Our home league at Preston Park, every Wednesday from April 19 through to August. See the SCRL website for details. There are good numbers from all age groups at SCRL and we encourage as many PPYCC members as possible to race as it’s an excellent introduction to bike racing.
Lee Valley indoor track cluster sessions are for U12-U16 riders. These are for any club rider wishing to develop their track skills or to gain accreditation to race at Lee Valley velodrome. These would be suitable for both novice and intermediate track riders. Book via the BC website.
The remainder of these regional track races, especially youth omniums, are for experienced track racers only. Club members wishing to ride in these should already be competing locally at SCRL to gain experience and build confidence. If in doubt, please speak to a PPYCC coach.
Herne Hill Youth Team Track Champs on Sun 04 Jun. This is for U14 and U16 riders, who may wish to get a team together but can be put into a team by the organisers. There is a supporting individual omnium for U10/12 riders.
Poole Wheelers Youth Omnium in Bournemouth on Sun 11 Jun. All ages can enter.
Convene ESG Track League, Herne Hill. Every Wednesday evening for 26 weeks from April to September. Details on the HHV website which has links to entries on RiderHQ.
Hill climbs
British Schools Cycling Association – National Hill Climb is in Hampshire again this year, hosted by Solent Pirates on Sat 10th Jun. All ages catered for and you can even enter as a school team if you have clubmates from your own school. BSCA is completely separate to British Cycling, they have their own age groups and membership. PPYCC has a club membership with BSCA and a stack of membership cards that we can give out, which the rider will need to sign and present at sign-on. Ask at the PPYCC registration hut on Saturday mornings if you want one. You need to enter in advance via Eventbrite.
Cyclo Cross and MTB races
MAAP London Summercross 2023 – a short CX series of 4 Friday evenings at Herne Hill from 07 Jul to 04 Aug. They are promoted via the BC Events site but entries and full info are on the Beastway MTB website. U12, U14 and U16 can enter this.
Southern MTB XC Series includes a final round in Basingstoke on Sun 11 Jim. Entries via the series listing on BC Events site. An all ages event.
Beastway MTB Series continues every Wednesday for 8 weeks through May and June at Redbridge Cycling Centre on the outskirts of London. Details on their own website. Both MTB riders and Cyclo-crossers are welcome, U10 and upwards can enter this.
Bedgebury Forest XC races are monthly for all ages, details on their website.
Kids Triathlon
Kids Tri series are very well organised and well attended events around Sussex, and many PPYCC riders have competed and done well at these. Events include Billingshurst Triathlon on 16 July, Steyning triathlon on 19 August, Bognor triathlon on 10 Sept and Billingshurst Aquathlon (swim/run) on 08 Oct. The price is steep at £20-25 entry but if a parent volunteers to marshal, your child’s next event is free. See the KidsTri website.