LVRC

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

More cyclists might try League of Veteran Racing Cyclists (LVRC) racing if they knew more about it and how to get involved. If you qualify by being over 40 years old, LVRC races provide competition at a high level and are a lot of fun.   

South Western Road Club – Evans Cycles member Andy Hicks, self –confessed  LVRC race addict, provides his impressions and tips:

Race Entry
LVRC races are popular, with growing numbers participating. Although there are still Entry On the Line (e.o.l) events, most events must be entered 3 weeks in advance, by completing a standard Entry Form available on the LVRC website at www.lvrc.org. Race entries only cost £8, and are a bargain. Tip: complete a form at the beginning of the season and photo-copy it, so that you just need to add a few details each time. The calendar of events is at the same website in the “Handbook” section. In addition to individual events, there are championship series like the national Percy Stallard race series, and the Southern Counties series, as well as National Championships. There are plenty of Road Races to choose from, both on roads, and on off-road circuits, as well as 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. Tip: create a list of the things you need with you on Race Day, otherwise you might 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 “lucky” 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 exhilarating about driving through the countryside  to an event on a fine summer Sunday morning, with only light traffic. Tip: 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”. Tip: a “warm-up” is not a time to be doing anything really physical - just a gentle ride to spin the legs. The atmosphere at 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, and 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 always 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 the cycle race is 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 may find yourself racing against ex professionals and “greats” from the past like Les West. You will 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.  

So, what are you waiting for – give it a try! If you need more information, contact Andy Hicks via the South Western Road Club – Evans Cycles website
www.swrc.org.uk.

In 2010 the SWRC in conjunction with the Kingston Wheelers held the National LVRC, E, F, G & H Road Race Championships on the Dunsfold road circuit .  There was a supporting race for A,B,C,&,D's in the morning. We incorporated the John Bromley Memorial award in honour of our late president into the afternoon' F' event.