FAQs

See below for some FAQs, if there is anything else you would like to know contact us at info@nwcca.org.uk

Can anyone enter?

Yes! Cyclo-Cross is the most accessible form of cycle racing. Everyone is welcome; we regularly have 6 year-old to 70 year-old riders taking part in league rounds.

Why isn’t the event on the British Cycling site?

Rounds can be planned well in advance, but it’s normal for our events to only open for entries on British Cycling’s calendar a few weeks in advance. You have plenty of time to enter before the deadline (which is 23:55 on the Tuesday before the weekend’s event)

Do I need a Cyclo-Cross bike?

No, cyclo-cross or mountain bikes can be used for all NWCCA events.

Do I have to be in a club?

No you do not have to be in a club to race.

Do I have to complete all the laps?

No – everyone finishes once the winner crosses the line. Your position will be calculated. Lots of people don’t finish on the same lap as the leader.

Will I finish last?

Probably not! The best thing about Cyclo-Cross is the wide range of riders who take part. Racing takes place right across the board, so you may be in 91st position but battling with another 5 riders for that position.

Is it fun?

You may say no if we asked you halfway through a race, but once the lungs have stopped burning and you’ve been congratulated by the rider you pipped on the line, we guarantee you will be heading home with a big smile on your face!

Can I bring the family?

Yes, of course, Cyclo-Cross attracts many families either competing or spectating. At the majority of our rounds you will find vendors selling hot food/drinks and there will always be toilets on site. More to the point, they can all race! We have oodles of categories

Do I have to register with the NWCCA league?

No you don’t have to register to the league. But if wish to compete for the overall standings you will need to register. Also if you plan to ride most of the league rounds, it’s worth registering as you will save £2 on the entry fee at every round.

How do I register with the league?

Join online here before the season’s first event. The registration fee is £10 for Seniors, Veterans and Juniors. £5 for Youth, Under 12s, Under 10s & Under 8s.

What happens after I’ve registered online for the League?

The league membership element is all handled by British Cycling so you can enter league races at a small discount, and you’d be eligible for the league, but in 2020-21, nothing ‘happens’ in terms of sign on for league members that’s any different.

Normally, race numbers will be issued for the season. These can be collected at any NWCCA league event you attend. League members (S / V/ W/ J) will keep their numbers (Arm & Back) and use them at each league event they attend. They MUST be returned after your last event. Contact us at info@nwcca.org.uk and we’ll send you the details as to where to send them if you can’t hand them in at the event. Please clean your numbers before handing them back!

How do I get a transponder?

Waatch this space – changes coming in 2024-25.

How do Transponders and Timing work?

We’ve created a help document here about how to use your transponder.

Do I HAVE to Buy a Transponder?

Not at all. League riders will have two options for transponders – either collect a transponder at sign on, then return it immediately after the race, or BUY a transponder. You will retain the transponder from year to year. The advantage is simpler sign on, and you will not need to return it to sign on after your race, you keep it. Buying a transponder helps the sign on team: we do not need to issue a transponder and get it back, and we don’t need to enter the transponder number in the computer each time you race, this significantly reduces the work of the sign on team, so please help the volunteers.
More info here

What is my age category?

See the British Cycling Age Categories for the current season here.

Do I need to be a British Cycling member?

No you don’t have to be a British Cycling member but you will be required to purchase a British Cycling day membership for £3 at every round you race if you are a Senior, Veteran, Junior or Woman. If you plan on riding the majority of rounds it may be worthwhile purchasing a membership. Make sure you get a RACE membership. A full race license isn’t required for our league rounds, the provisional license that comes with the RACE membership is sufficient.

When and where are the races?

Check out the calendar page on the website.

What time do the races start and how much are they to enter?

Start times including entry fees are described on this page

How long are the races?

Youth – duration 30 mins for lead riders
Under 12s – 15 minutes duration for lead riders
Under 10s – 10 minutes duration for lead riders
Under 8s – 10 minutes duration for lead riders
Veteran – V50+ – 40 minutes duration for lead riders
Women – 40 minutes duration for lead riders
Senior & Junior Men, V40 Men – 50 minutes duration for lead riders

Can I pre-enter on the day?

No. Since 2020, all our entries are online and no entries are accepted on the day. This is an absolute rule and if we changed it for any rider, the timing system we use would become too complex. The normal situation is to close entries one week before the event. Keep an eye on the league events open for entries on the British Cycling series here

When do entries close?

23:50 on the Tuesday before for a weekend race, regardless of whether it is Saturday or Sunday. If we have races that are on a Bank Holiday etc., we will advertise the closing date separately.

What do I have to do on race day?

It’s best to arrive at least an hour before your race. Head over to the registration area and let the team there know you are there even if you have your own number and transponder. You also will need to borrow a transponder from the registration team if you don’t own one. If no other races are in progress on the course you can ride round, please keep off the course if another race is on – including the Youth and Under 12/10/8s races.

Did I win something?

Maybe. If you did, the organiser will contact prize winners regarding prize money. It’s paid online. The prize funds aren’t huge, but our rule is that they are spread on each age category as much as possible to be fair to entrants, and they are always equal in gender funds. No cash prizes for Under 12s and below though. Sorry.

Some people have two bikes. Do I need two bikes?

Cyclo-cross is a winter sport and some winters can be particularly muddy. You don’t need two bikes by any means, but by the nature of the sport, you will be at a disadvantage on some muddier days if you can’t change to a clean bike when the bike naturally becomes clogged with mud.

How do we use the pits?

For riders wanting to change bikes, there are normally pits every half lap. Please check out out pits etiquette page here.