NECCL

FAQs

What is Cyclo-Cross?

Cyclo-Cross is mostly a winter sport. Short off-road courses (often less than a mile long), often on grass in public parks or on playing fields, are tackled on bikes with a knobbly tyres, powerful brakes and low gears for ease of handling in the rough.

After a massed start, races last no more than an hour in length – shorter for youths (U16, 14, 12). Tactically, it’s best to get to the front early and stay there. In practice, the better riders are often as good at running with their bikes as they are riding them. With natural as well as man-made obstacles, there will be occasions where you need to dismount and remount whilst keeping forward momentum. Many competitors include running in their training.

If that sounds like hard work, then don’t forget that Cyclo-Cross is also one of the most accessible forms of cycle-sport. Races have a relaxed, informal atmosphere and entries are accepted on the day. There are categories for younger riders, with a reduced entry fee. The short lap length means that the better riders often lap some of the slower competitors, but that’s not the end of the race – you can still submerge yourself in the action, enjoy your own private battles and forget whether you are first or a hundred and first.

Who can enter?

Anyone with enough determination, reasonable fitness and a sound MTB or cyclo cross bike. You do not need to be a member of The League International though senior non-members need to pay a surcharge for a Day Licence to enter a race.

How do I enter?

Entries are taken ‘on the line’ on the day of the race. Just turn up in time to allow 10 minutes or so to put your entry in and give you time to get changed and do your warm up.

How much does it cost?

For the 2010/11 winter season the race fees are:

Cat	Time	TLI Member	Non TLI Member Surcharge
U12	10.30am	Free	Free
U14/16/Nov Lady	11.15am	£3.00	Free
Sen/Vet/Lady/Jun	12.30pm	£5.00	£5.00

Race entry fees are used to cover costs and prizes on the day and surplus cash is paid out at the end of the season as prize money to riders who complete the series.

Are we insured?

A levy is paid from each entry fee for insurance cover provided by The League International (TLI). For proper cover, it is also essential that all riders other than under 12s are individual members of TLI, either on an annual or day-membership basis. At the same time, all under-16s must be signed on by a parent or guardian to indicate they agree with the standard disclaimer. It is important to remember that with no parental/guardian consent, under-16s cannot be allowed to race.

The non-TLI member surcharge pays for day-membership. All non-TLI members will be required to complete a day membership form before they compete. The Membership Fee for TLI is modest, so it is well worthwhile taking out annual membership, rather than paying out a surcharge at every race.

TLI also provides members access to an extensive calendar of other races in the North East of England and around the country. To find a TLI membership application form and to see the full calendar of events, go to: http://www.theleagueinternational.com/

When are the events run?

The winter series runs from September through to January. The series is made up of several rounds, each held on a Sunday with three different races for the different age categories:

 

Time	Category	Race Duration
10.30am	Under 12’s	15-20 min’s
11.15am	Under 14/16/Novice Ladies	30 min’s
12.30am	Sen/Jnr/Vet/Lady	50-60 min’s

See the calendar of events for exact dates.

How do I see the results?

At the end of each race, prizes are handed out to the category winners. The remaining results are worked out later and posted on the website, usually within a few days. The results are also displayed at the next round for riders to see how they have done.

What prizes are awarded?

Prizes for the winter series are awarded on the day for successful riders to the following minimum values, please check each Round information as many are sponsored with increased prize money/prizes on the day:

 

Pos/Cat	Sen	Vet	Lady	Jnr	U16	U14	U12
1st	£20	£5	£5	£5	£3	£3	Gift
2nd	£15	-	-	-	£2	£2	Gift
3rd	£10	-	-	-	£1	£1	Gift

 

Also a draw is taken among the race numbers to hand out three FREE ENTRY vouchers for the following round for the Sen/Vet/Lady/Jun and U16/14 races.

How are league positions worked out?

Points are allocated to all riders who complete the race. 1st place receives 200 points (50 points in youths’ race) , 2nd- 199 points decreasing down by 1 point per position. In order to be included in the leagues at the end of the season, riders need to complete a minimum number of races, for  2010/11 season it is 5 from 8 races; inc min 1 after Christmas. Your best scores from the required minimum number of rounds are added together to compile the league tables.The number of counting rounds is agreed each year at the AGM. Only riders who complete the requisite number of races are included in the league tables at the season end. Look at the league tables etc on the results pages to see how this works. Note that race organisers do not lose out, when they miss a race due to organising duties they are allocated an average of their best two rides from the season for that day: if they organise a second round, they get the average of the two next best.

Competitors are divided into 3 leagues – Premier, Inter & Sportif – after round 3. This encourages all riders of all abilities to compete for position in their own league and try to catch riders in the league above.

Riders who live and ride in the North East of England are eligible for league prizes. Clubs or individual riders do not have to pay an affiliation fee to NECCL. Riders who live outside the district are only eligible for prizes ‘on the day’.

Age Categories

Riders are allocated to age categories based upon their age on the 1st January prior to the start of the season.

Categories are as follows:

• Category
• Under 12
• Under 14
• Under 16
• Novice Lady
• Junior (age 16 to 17)
• Senior
• Vet 40
• Vet 50
• Vet 60
• Ladies

 

* Races for Ladies are open to Under 12/14/16, Junior, Novice Senior, Senior and Veteran Ladies.

PRESENTATION DINNER NIGHT.

The organisation also organises a Presentation Dinner Night after the Winter Series where all riders who have completed a minimum of 5 races from the 8 will receive prize money. It is always a popular social night where we present trophies / medals / gifts and cash prizes. All the presentation details & winners are posted on the website each year. Last year we handed out trophies/plaques, hats & prizes/cash all totalling to nearly £3500.

ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING.

The AGM is held after the last round in the Winter series. Clubs and riders are asked to provide items for the agenda. The secretary, treasurer and chairman give their reports for the season. The agenda and minutes are made available on the Forum.

THREE PEAKS

The Three Peaks Race is a major event at the start of the cyclo cross season. Running over Ingleborough, Whernside and Pen y Ghent in the Peak District, it provides quite a challenge to those bold enough to enter. Each year we have numerous riders from the region competing in the Three Peaks race and we publish the results on our site. We also provide as much support to the riders on the day as we can. Any rider can apply to enter the Three Peaks but participant numbers are limited and applications for entry are not always successful.

Further information is available from the official Three Peaks website here: http://www.3peakscyclocross.org.uk/