Members of the local cycling community are keen to encourage more women to take part in the Tuesday evening race nights being held at the new cycling circuit at Odd Down Playing Fields.
With the first women’s race set to take place today, Tuesday 4th June, Laurie Chalk of Velo Club Walcot is hoping more women will take part and said “We want to offer and connect with women out there who would genuinely like to race. Lots of clubs, including ourselves, have rides where women take part.
“But we believe there should equally be opportunity for racing, which is why we have included a women’s race as an integral part of the program. There are few opportunities in the South Region for promoting this set up and we are really hoping that by hosting women’s races we will, over time, encourage more participation.”
To take part you don’t have to be a professional racer or have a state of the art bike, although you will need a road bike that is maintained and in good working order. You also need a race licence, which can be purchased annually from British Cycling, or alternatively you can buy a Day Licence at the venue on the evening of the race when you sign on. Generally there is a minimum age of 18, and a cycle helmet is required.
You can pre-enter online for the first women’s race at Odd Down Playing Fields at: https://www.britishcycling.org.uk/events/details/94317/VC-Walcot-Odd-Down-Circuits-1#entry
Online entry for races on Tuesday 4th June closed at midnight on Sunday 2nd June, but where spaces are available you can enter this evening. If you have any queries or want to learn more about race opportunities, not just for women but also youths and men, you can contact Velo Club Walcot via their web site at: http://www.vc-walcot.com/
Mr Chalk added “We want the circuit to be a success and play our part in making it an inclusive facility that it is used by as many different groups of people as possible. Velo Club Walcot really hopes this includes youths, women and men from the Bath and surrounding communities who can came along, have some fun and get some use out of the brilliant new circuit.”
