CHANGES Since 2023

The major change for this year is that we are reverting to the traditional system of issuing race numbers on the night.  You will need to attend race HQ to pick up your number before the race and to drop them off afterwards.  I realise that some of you will be disappointed by this change, but the change to series, rather than race, numbers was a response to Covid which is no longer necessary.  Once again, race numbers will reflect starting position.

This year, we have 14 events on the calendar for you to choose from; 11 will count towards overall results.  The hill climb, the end of season team event (details later) and the Garlogie 8m which precedes the end of season social / prize giving will not count towards the overall results.  We still have 2 categories to race in – time trial bike and road bike; some courses will favour the former, others, perhaps, the latter.  You will be asked to specify which category you are racing in when you collect your race number.  As before, results will be compiled separately for each category.  You may pick and choose from week to week and your best 5 results in each category will count towards the overall series results.   It is possible to compete in both categories, but bear in mind that to compete in more than 6 events will require marshalling on 2 occasions. Separate results will be compiled for Youths/Juniors, Seniors and Vets (on standard) in both male and female categories.

The re-introduction of mandatory attendance at race HQ also allows us to re-introduce the option for paper based, self selection of future race entries and marshalling duties; you will also have the option, of course to enter races and to volunteer for duties electronically on the website if you so prefer.   We prefer you to enter the series and pay electronically on the website, but for those who do not wish to do so, we are able to take payment at race HQ, as traditionally was the case.

Driven by safety, we introduced several new courses in recent years, but I am still not satisfied that we have an adequate replacement for the old Garlogie 10 course.  We can use Drumoak, occasionally, but we have to share this facility with Aberdeen Wheelers and this is not ideal.  With this in mind, I am considering 3 new 10 mile courses and we may use one or more of them this season.    The new courses are designed to have safe start areas; there will no longer be any racing across dangerous crossroads in Echt and Torphins, dead turns have been eliminated and most courses will consist of approximate loops with only left turns.  We have done our best to ensure that these new courses are exactly 10 miles, but there may be minor discrepancies.  It is not always  possible to find a safe route with safe start and finish areas exactly 10 miles apart!

There are 14 races in the series. You may enter 7 for £10 or all 14 for £20. Entry is free to Youths and juniors.  Blocks of 7 races may be consecutive if you like, but they need not be and it is fine to space out races across the series. However, within each 7 week block, 1 week is reserved for helper / marshalling duties, leaving 6 opportunities to ride.

For insurance purposes all riders in Evening League Events should, ideally,  have British Cycling Race Silver Membership, the optional full race licence is not required.

Click [HERE] to view details on pricing, benefits and joining instructions.

CTC and STA members also have adequate insurance and are able to take part.

Visitors to the league with a view to joining the club may take out day membership.

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  RACE HQ

  As mentioned under “Latest changes”, you are now required to attend race HQ before the race to pick up your race number and after the race to drop it off. Once you have picked up your number there is nothing to stop you driving nearer to the start/finish area if you wish. Race HQ will provide toilet facilities and basic changing facilities.  As was traditionally the case you will be able to enter on the night, to enter and to choose your start time for future races and to volunteer for marshalling duties, although you will still be able to do this, electronically,  on the website if you prefer,  .    

  AT THE START 

  Now that race numbers reflect, once again, start times, we no longer require a start area co-ordinator and riders no longer have to memorise their start times.  For this season we will persist with the arrangement whereby riders start with one foot on the ground and get themselves underway.  It is no longer necessary to limit the  number of riders congregating around the start because of the risk of infection transmission, although it is good practice from a road safety perspective.

  ON THE COURSE 

  Rules of the road and rules of the competition are the responsibility of each individual rider.  Last year we had one complaint of a rider proceeding at speed through a pedestrian crossing whilst members of the public were crossing the road and several reports of riders crossing over the centre line of the road whilst overtaking or cornering.  Members are reminded that these examples represent serious breaches of road safety rules and are grounds for disqualification from the event.  Please remember that cyclists are not always the most popular members of society and that we are dependent on public goodwill to continue racing through our local communities.

  AT THE FINISH   

• Once your race is completed, please do not congregate around the finish.  Also, please take care when returning to your vehicle / race HQ, particularly if you are re-tracing the race route whilst active racing is still going on.

Results will be posted on the website by 07:30 on the Wednesday morning after each race. 

The league could be your opportunity to gain experience in various fields of our sport. Not only can you improve your competition but you can also train as a timekeeper. If this interests you please let us know on helpersel@deeside.org.

  2024 COMPETITION AND RACE RULES 

1. Road safety is of paramount importance.  It is the responsibility of each individual rider to familiarise themselves with the course prior to the event and riders must obey the Highway Code at all times.  Riders are responsible for their own safety.  Risk assessments are available for all course in the Evening League section of the website and competitors are encouraged to consult these before riding the events.  Late changes in course conditions will be posted on the Evening League facebook page and will also be made available at the “sign on”.  Marshals have no power to direct traffic and it is not their responsibility to direct riders.  Their role is simply to make other road users aware of the fact that a cycle event is taking place and to make riders aware that they are approaching a situation which may be dangerous and which requires particular care.   British Cycling regulations with respect to road events apply to all riders in the Evening League.
2. A red rear light and a white front light are compulsory. Failure to comply with this will result in disqualification from the particular event.
3. Use of helmets is compulsory. No helmet = no race.
4. These events are individual time trials.  You must not ride within 12 metres of another rider, except when overtaking or being overtaken.  You must not take pace from another rider. You must not cross the white line in the middle of the road and you must take appropriate action to safeguard members of the public, particularly other cyclists and pedestrians. Please note that some of our courses traverse a pedestrian crossing in Echt, at which pedestrians have right of way.
5. Only club members or invitees as defined below may partake (as per British/Scottish Cycling Policy).  
6. Previously, a club member must have had their ‘first’ club affiliation to DTCC, but Scottish Cycling Policy has now been amended to allow club members who hold a “first” affiliation to another club to take part, as long as that other club does not hold it’s own series of confined time trials. 
   An invitee must not be a member of ANY other club. 
7. Commitment to assist/marshal/timekeep (via helpersel@deeside.org) should be made before 1st entry.  Youiths and Juniors are not expected to officiate, but voluntary help from parents or other family members is always appreciated. If competing in 6 or more events assistance at a further EL event is required. As a rider’s best 6 events count towards the overall results at the end of the season, it follows that only riders who volunteer twice will be ranked in the final table. In the overall, open senior and female senior categories, winners must have competed in one of the longer events (15, 18 or 25 miles); the purpose of this rule is to ensure that it is not possible to win the overall titles by racing only 10 and 12 mile events.  This rule does not apply to the Youth, Junior or Veteran competitions.  The hill climb stands alone as a separate competition and the open and female winners will be declared EL Hill climb champions.  Hill climb results will not contribute to other road or TT bike com petitions.
8. Riders should have BC Silver Provisional Race Licence. 
9. Numbers are generally limited to 80. 
10. Riders start at minute intervals from 6.45pm. 
11. Routine EL entries should be in by end of Sunday, by e mail, to enterel@deeside.org and the final start list will be drawn up on monday morning.  Late entries will still be accepted, as long as you have already entered the series and as long as there are slots available.  Late entries will either be added to the end of the start list or allocated to any vacant slots.  Anyone wishing a late entry can either contact the organiser by e mail or just turn up at the registration desk on the night. 
12. You will  be able to decide, on the night, whether to enter either the time trial bike category or the road bike category.  If you enter the latter, then the use of aero bars, disc wheels, and “pointy” aero helmets will not be permitted, although aero road helmets will be acceptable.  If your equipment conforms to British Cycling standards for road racing, it will be acceptable for the road bike category.  Results for the 2 categories will be complied separately.  All the above rules apply to riders in both categories. 
13. Riders below the age of 16 must enter the road bike category; riders below the age of 12 are not allowed to enter the evening league.   Specific criteria exist for maximum gearing for Youths and Juniors (see British Cycling regualtions or contact one of the club coaches for further advice) and must be complied with.  Maximum wheel rim depth is restricted to 35mm.  Accompanying riders:  Inexperienced Youth and/or Junior riders should be accompanied by an adult.  If uncertain about any of these matters, please ask a coach for advice.
14. In line with British /Scottish Cycling policy, riders will compete in either open or female categories.  For Seniors, separtate competitions will be held for both categories in both time trial and road bike formats.  For veterans, riders will compete in a single competition, points being decided against relevant open and female age standards. 
15. The cost will be £20 for the series or £10 for 6 races (no charge for Youths and Juniors), Individual races can be entered at a cost of £4 per race, payable at sign on.
16. Registration for the series will be taken as evidence that riders have read and understood these rules and that they agree to abide by them.  As with any event on open roads, there is an element of risk and it is the responsibility of the individual to ensure their own safety.  Parents of Youth and Junior riders must consent for their children to take part before their first event. 

Marshal Roles
Timekeeper 1 (starter):

The starter meets with the main timekeeper and recorder prior to the event. All 3 watches are set and started simultaneously. The starter is then responsible for:

• Shouting riders to the start line
• Checking name and number of the rider
• Tick off rider on start sheet, recording any changes to name or number or out of sequence rider
• Count down rider to their start
• Re-grouping with main timekeeper and recorder after event to exchange information and correlate records

Recorder (at finish line):

The recorder works closely with main timekeeper at the event finish line. Once a rider crosses the line the timekeeper will stop the watch and note the time. The recorder will:

• Also note the name of rider and time shouted out by timekeeper
• Calculate riding time based on finish/start time in minutes and seconds
• Work out handicap’s
• Verify times with timekeeper

Each event riders are allocated points depending on their finishing position. Points are awarded as follows:

The combined total of Fastest and Handicap Points, as above, will be each Member’s score for that event. The best five combined scores are added to give the Member’s total score.