LVRC Racing

[Alan M]

Not that I have done that much of it but this may be of interest to a few over 40s

League of Veteran Racing Cyclists (LVRC) Racing - “What’s it Like”?

The SWRC Committee feels that more of you might try LVRC racing if you know more about it and how to get involved. As someone addicted to LVRC races, I volunteered to provide my thoughts and tips.

Before getting into the sequence of events, a quick word to say that if you qualify by being over 40 years old, LVRC races are a lot of fun, bring good camaraderie, fairly intense exercise and occasional euphoria.

Race Entry
LVRC races are popular, with growing numbers participating. Although there are still Entry On the Line (e.o.l) events, most must be entered 2 weeks in advance by completing a standard Entry Form available on the LVRC website at http://www.lvrc.org. Race entries only cost £6 and are a bargain. I complete a form at the beginning of the season and photo-copy it, so that I just need to add a few details each time. The calendar of events is at the same website in the “Handbook”. In addition to individual events, there are series championships (like the national Percy Stallard race series and Southern Counties series). There are plenty of races to choose from, on roads and on circuits and even some Time Trials.

Preparing for the Race
Most races are on Sundays, and so Saturdays are theoretically available for the “highly trained athlete” to prepare for the race, polish the bike, relax and get mentally tuned. Unfortunately wives do not always see it this way and Saturday can also be a day of gardening, D.I.Y. etc. My tip is to create a list of the things you need with you on Race Day, otherwise you could end up like me on one occasion, with no helmet and unable to race (fortunately, such is the good spirit at these events that I borrowed a helmet, and the owner and I both won our different races in the same helmet). I also know someone who owns two pairs of identical shoes who turned up with two left feet.

Race Day
Unlike Time Trials, most LVRC Road Races start at fairly civilised times (10am or 10.30am). There is something very nice about driving off to an event on a fine summer morning with little traffic around. I try to arrive 1 hour before the race starts. This allows time to find the Village Hall (most events start from a good old English Village Hall), have a cup of coffee and a chat, and have a “warm-up”. In my experience a “warm-up” is not a time to be doing anything really physical, just a gentle ride to spin the legs. The atmosphere at these Village Halls is great - bikes everywhere outside, partners trying to look the other way as competitors change into their kit, tea and cake on offer at ridiculously low prices, plenty to talk about, the signing on table with assorted numbers and pins, etc.

The Circuit
The races I like best are held on country road circuits of about 8 miles. The countryside is beautiful, the roads are interesting, traffic is very light, and afterwards there will be a country pub offering lunch if you want it. The circuits are well marshalled, sometimes by riders who will ride in a later race.

The Race
At the appointed time, riders in the appropriate age group (all races are between competitors within 5 year age groups, e.g. 40-45, 45-50, etc) gather behind the Lead Car for a briefing from the Race Organiser about potholes and road surfaces etc. It is nice to know that the Lead Car (plus sometimes Motorbike Outriders) will be warning oncoming traffic that we are coming.

No race is the same, but experience will teach you how to ride them. The pace can be easy or brutal, and probably a combination of both. Do not worry about “going off the back” - many do. At the end, if you are not feeling exhausted, you have not tried hard enough. How to ride a race is a whole subject on its own. The standard of racing is high and you will find yourself racing against ex professionals and “greats” from the past. You usually find that as they get older, their talents have not diminished!

If you win your age group race, or are outright race winner (there could be 4 different age groups starting at the same time) the feeling you get is indescribable. You will be walking on air. If you were “placed” you will be pleased, but secretly thinking about the various “what-ifs” to do better next time.

After the Race
The leisurely ride back to the Village Hall is pure luxury after the pace of the race. Back at the Village Hall, all tensions have been released and everyone is having a good time. Tea, cake and sandwiches are usually available and they somehow always taste really good. After a flannel wash and change, it will be time for the Race Organiser to stand up and present prizes for the first 3 in each age category. The prizes are not of great value (e.g. £20 for a win and perhaps a bottle of wine) but collecting the prize to the applause of your fellow riders is the main reward. In the past, sorting out finishing positions has been an art rather than a science. Many times I have seen a place announced, only for the person to say “no, it was XXX, not me”. However, many races are now benefiting from Transponders fixed on bikes (like the professionals use), or cameras on the finish Line.

What do the Partners Do?
A growing number of partners come to LVRC events to get out of the house, have a chat amongst themselves, read a book, have a cup of tea, or even offer encouragement from the pavement (although rare, this does happen). My wife and I make a day of it by visiting the local attractions after the race e.g. a stately home, gardens etc. If you take part in the Percy Stallard national series, you may find yourselves visiting new and interesting places all over the country and staying overnight.

Here in the South East, we are particularly blessed with LVRC races, so come and join: Richard Williamson, Joe Frend, Roger Jackaman, Alan Parkinson, Nick Butcher, Bill McCombe, Cinton Askew, Eric Palmer, Cliff Dent, Dave Worsfold, Keith Garbutt, Alan Malarkey, Matthew Berry, Nick Allen, Paul Foster, Niall Clutton, Ken Dolman, John Harris, Barry Harwood, Geoff Redhead, Tony Sayers, Jonathan Thomas, Steve Walter, Mark Williams, Andy Hicks, etc. If you need any more information, please contact me, Andy Hicks. My e-mail address is (pm me, Alan M if interested),