British Cycling Membership Offer

like my bike · Post by **like my bike** » Thu Oct 18, 2012 1:48 pm

Get British Cycling Membership join NOW and get a FREE set of lights worth £24.99. Recommend you go for Silver membership package £36.00 - use the promotional code LIGHTUP.

Join before October 26th to get your FREE lights!
FREE Sportive training plans

Get exclusive access to 6-month Training Plans to help set you up for your 2013 sportive season, free for all members

https://www.britishcycling.org.uk/signupbsg/stage1

There's never been a more exciting time to join British Cycling.

Melly · Post by **Melly** » Thu Oct 18, 2012 7:45 pm

Andy, whilst on the subject of BC membership, several people I know have expressed an interest in racing, and wanted to have a go to see if it was "for them". One guy actually turned up at Dishforth and paid on the day. For him, this turned my entry fee of £10, (although I do have BC Silver membership with my Race Licence) into a cost of £25 for him, entry on the day £15 and £10 for a day licence. We discussed this and had he realised before travelling he would not have left home. I feel that this huge difference in cost could be a factor that BC should be considering in these times of austerity if they are wanting to encourage more people to enter the sport and embrace the competitive element.

Regards Simon

Mr Marmite · Post by **Mr Marmite** » Fri Oct 19, 2012 4:43 pm

I too would like to do more racing next year.

This year I only entered events which don't need a race licence simply due to the justification of getting a race ticket, I don't feel I'm competitive enough to buy one or can really spare the money sadly....

Adam

paulM · Post by **paulM** » Fri Oct 19, 2012 10:49 pm

But it could be worse Melly - you could be a woman, pay the same for a licence and have virtually no "proper" races in the region except a couple of races at the top level. I feel sure BC are missing a trick there to get more women involved which in turn would create more specific races. Although I know Andy has done some good work to promote womens events at Croft. As it is you can ride BC races at 3/4 cat level every week of the season virtually in Yorkshire - I've never known so many. A silver licence isnt that astronomic and a big proportion of that is BC membership/3rd party insurance which everyone should have anyway. I think the organisation at BC events is a level above LVRC and there is a bit more variety in race distance & category. You have to look at this long term. Its no good doing the "I'll try an event and see if I like it" thing because unless you are super talented it will end in disappointment! In fact for most of us, most weeks it still does. It will take a season or two but we've all been there!

PhilBixby · Post by **PhilBixby** » Sat Oct 20, 2012 7:44 am

Completely agree with Muzzy on this. If you want to be competitive, work at it all winter, and plan on spending a whole season finding your feet and getting anywhere near any results unless you're fortunate enough to have talent to spare. Silver membership and licence - what's that- sixty-odd quid? Price of a couple of nice tyres?

If you'e really skint and over forty then there's vets racing. As regular readers will know, I'm a fan of this (although I know others are less so) but Muzzy's right - there's not the same number or variety of races and, from the organiser's point of view, there's not the support behind the scenes. A fair few of us have knocked BC in the past about money for old blazers but these days they've really invested to try to enable club level racing. It's a good time to go racing, but don't dip your toe in - give it a proper go...

paulM · Post by **paulM** » Sat Oct 20, 2012 8:49 am

Or look at it another way - its the price of watching a couple of football matches and I dont even mean Premier League. But even a Silver licence gives you the opportunity to actually be "on the pitch" against some of the world best or at least the UK's best if you so desire. Can you think of another sport that will give you that opportunity?

Cyan Skymoos · Post by **Cyan Skymoos** » Sat Oct 20, 2012 9:54 am

BC don't do a great deal for vets racing as far as I can see, maybe they're happy for LVRC to take care of the old men.... but yeah lots more racing on this year, Yorkshire BC deserve credit for that.

Cam B · Post by **Cam B** » Sat Oct 20, 2012 2:55 pm

I can't believe that BC are creaming big fat pofits from these races...the hosting clubs certainly won't be! There are a lot of costs involved when you add them all up. You also get a lot of people giving up there time for nothing. I have done the day license thing at Tockwith a 2-3 seasons ago. £20 is lot of money if you get dropped after 5 laps (as I did the first time) but strangely enough feels like a bargain if you get round and finish in the bunch ( as I did on the second occasion). I agree with the above. If you are serious about racing you should be thinking about it now in advance of next season and start training ....or, rather than calling it training, just think of it as getting out on your bike and enjoying it, but be prepared to put some effort in when you need to. Best to get a license and plan a season of races not just one or two and view it as a long term project ..We can all afford decent bikes plus all the gear...so £50-60 for license and only £15 for Club membership really is a bargain

Of course, we could all give up and take up golf (but that is not really a sport is it?

) and pay several hundred of pounds just to join a local club

like my bike · Post by **like my bike** » Sat Oct 20, 2012 4:48 pm

Suggest people wanting the 'try' racing get a silver membership comes with provisional licence. Which entitles you to a FREE day license for 'most' races. If you enjoy the experience, then buy a race licence.

http://www.britishcycling.org.uk/member ... ce-licence

Looks like there could be more racing then ever before in 2013 ! Including a few 2,3,4 womens races.

Silver also gives you 3rd party insurance which is 'strongly recommended' on the club membership form.

Non racers you can get a better deal with 'Ride' membership £24.00.

Melly · Post by **Melly** » Sat Oct 20, 2012 5:12 pm

Nice one Andy, that seems like a good choice that most people dont know is available, dont get me wrong folks, i think the Silver membership with the race licence is great value for money and paid up for mine straight away even though I wasnt sure if id take to it but supported BC by getting it. As it turned out I had a good time and great fun and therefore would recommend everyone to just buy the Silver package anyway.