Bike Racing in Aberdeen, Aberdeenshire and Moray
Cycle racing on the road is split into 2 different types; namely road racing and time trials. The former is characterised by a massed start, where everyone starts at the same time, and the latter where riders are set off alone at intervals.
And just to complicate things there are stage races. These take place over several days or even weeks and comprise mostly road races with the occasional time-trial stage.
Time Trialling
Time trialling is where riders race against the clock, with the fastest rider over a predetermined distance being the winner.
Time Trialling is by far the most popular form of cycle racing in north east Scotland, with most local clubs organising time trialls throughout the season.
Some cycle clubs, like Deeside Thistle, have season long leagues of time trials with points being awarded to riders based on their finishing position, the league winner being the rider with the most points at the end of the season.
See our page on Cycling Clubs for a list of clubs that can help you get started in time trialling, and then check out the courses that they race over on our Race Course page.
Road Racing
A road race takes the form of a conventional race - where everyone starts at the same time, and the first to finish is the winner. Road races are generally long, covering 40 plus miles and can last several hours. In Grampian this usually entails covering a circuit a few times.
Another form of road racing is the Australian Pursuit Race (APR). This is in effect a handicap race. Here small groups of riders start at different times. Riders are assigned to a group based on their recent performances. If the handicapping goes to plan, then all groups will come together just before the finish line. Ythan CC have promoted an APR for many years.
See our page on Cycling Clubs for a list of clubs that can help you get started in road racing.
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