Event Notes: This event has a 18:45 start. Meet in Alvis Way behind Volvo Training Centre.
Start at mark on the kerbstone at the entrance to ‘Berryfields’ farm. Ride NW (A45).
At M45 exit island (just after Flyover bridge) take 3rd exit to retrace (A45).
Finish after the Braunston bus stop and 2nd canal bridge at paint mark on kerbstone, approx 60 yards after bridge.
Marshals for all events are now booked through Google Spreadsheets. Please volunteer for at least 1 event for every 6 rides during the season. (Volunteer here)
Start List
Reserve List
Start list grading – After a member’s suggestion we have operated a trial to start ladies and juniors in the first 10 slots. Whilst any changes like this will never please everyone (so apologies in advance!) we felt the positives of grading outweigh the negatives and are therefore proposing an improved grading system which will be managed simply by goodwill and lots of co-operation of the riders. All this would mean is when you go to book a slot always try first and foremost to book within one of the three grades that apply to you, we understand this will not be perfect and there will be lots of exceptions (work, appointments etc etc) when this rule of thumb cannot be followed. This grading format should stand us in good stead for the future. For this event the permitted field is limited to 50 Riders, the proposed 3 gradings are:
- Slots 1-10 Juniors, novices and improving riders who would record times in the bottom third of our scratch times list.
- Slots 11-20 All riders who normally record times in the mid-range of our scratch times list.
- Slots 21-50 All riders who normally record times in the top third of our scratch list.
Clearly this grading by nature will be imperfect however after hours of discussion and suggestions the overriding factors that we considered were:
Safety – Starting riders in a graded format will result in racing completed well before we lose crucial light and visibility, and potentially limit the need of overtaking another rider.
Volunteers – Starting in this format means all of the volunteers and Marshals can get home before dark.
Racing – We are a racing club, so grading improves competition with riders of similar abilities competing and improving their times!
Reserve booking list – We have had a few weeks now where we have exceeded our permitted slots (what a great position to be in!) to manage this fairly we propose opening the booking system to beyond the permitted slots as a reserve list, how this will work is simple: if you attempt to book on and permitted slots are already booked, put your name on the reserve list. If for any reason a rider drops out and deletes a booking slot the next rider on the reserve list will be expected to access the system and book the now available slot. A curtesy WhatsApp message from the member withdrawing to next reserve would be a nice touch:
- Slots 51-55 Rider reserve list for this event.