FAQ

All Western League cyclocross races are entered via British Cycling.

Races are a mass start and last for approximately 45-60 minutes. For U14/16 and the races are a little shorter and for U12 they last around 10-15 minutes. The starts are gridded for league registered riders based on their performance in previous rounds. Non-league registered riders can apply to the race organiser for a gridding position based on recent race results outside the area. This is at the organisers discretion.

U12 – Up to 31st August in the year of your 12th birthday.

U14 – From 1st September on the year of your 12th birthday to 31st August in the year of your 14th birthday.

U16 – From 1st September on the year of your 14th birthday to 31st August in the year of your 16th birthday.

Junior – From 1st September on the year of your 16th birthday to 31st August in the year of your 18th birthday.

Senior – From 1st September on the year of your 18th birthday to 31st August in the year of your 40th birthday.

V40 – From 1st September on the year of your 40th birthday to 31st August in the year of your 50th birthday.

V50 – From 1st September on the year of your 50th birthday to 31st August in the year of your 55th birthday.

V60 – From 1st September on the year of your 60th birthday.

We have riders across a wide range of abilities racing from beginners to national champions. Newcomers are always very welcome.

Ideally a cyclocross bike but many people ride gravel bikes with knobbly tyres these days, and mountain bikes are also fine. Over the years we have seen everything from fat bikes to foldable shopping bikes at events.

If you don’t have a British Cycling Race License you will need a Day License costing £3.50 to enter a race. This can be purchased with your online entry via the British Cycling events system. In order to accrue British Cycling points you will need a Full Racing License (with a Gold or Silver Membership).

Please check the event race shedule on British Cycling. The default race schedule for 2023 events can be found on the resources page.

Allow to be at the venue no less than 45 minutes before the start to allow time to enter, warm up and practice ride the course.

Registration is on the registration page. League registration is opened approximately a month before the first race of the season. It is then closed the week before the first race. This allows us to effectively administer the chip timing and league results.

The number of point scoring counting events for an individuals or teams score in the Western League will be 50% of all the counting Western League events plus 2 more rides (rounded up to the next whole number).

Races are chip timed using an RFID tag worn ideally on your left ankle. The RFID chip is detected whenever you pass over the timing mat at the start finish. Avoid loitering near the mat after you finish the race as spurious readings can corrupt the results. The chip timing is handled by K2 Sports Limited.

Race organisers are always short of volunteer marshals, you can volunteer by contacting the race organiser directly. If you do volunteer you will be awarded average league points.

After racing you can also help race organisers by removing poles and tape from the course and returning them to the event HQ after the last race of the day.

The league itself also needs volunteers to help in various official roles and British Cycling commissaires.