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This week has been Volunteers’ Week and we at the Surrey League would like to say a huge “Thank You” to all the people who support the league throughout the year in so many ways. We couldn’t do it without you.

Coronavirus Update

Since first announcing the suspension of sanctioned cycling activities back in March, British Cycling (BC) has been working hard behind the scenes to ensure they are prepared to return safely as soon as the Government guidance allows.

Last week BC provided an update on their plans to resume activities in accordance with the new guidelines set by the Government this week from 1 June. Below is a quick summary, but a more detailed statement from BC is available for you to view.

1. International and national level races, including national series and championships – The suspension has been extended to 1 September and will be reviewed on a fortnightly basis giving a six-week public notice of any extension or curtailment of the suspension.

2. Regional racing and non-competitive events – The current suspension of 30 June will now be extended to 1 August and will be reviewed on a fortnightly basis giving a four-week public notice of any extension or curtailment of the suspension.

3. Club and group activity – such as coaching, instructing and leading, club rides, HSBC UK Breeze rides and similar will have the suspension extended until 4 July.

So how does this affect the Surrey League race calendar?

All the Handicap events are cancelled as well as all the youth racing at Angmering. A huge bulk of the weekend road races have been cancelled also and due to the building of a new housing development on the grounds of Dunsfold Park site, we have lost the Vets, Women and 4th car racing to (all of these events would have come under the suspension also if this was not the case).

We are trying to reallocate dates for some of the lost events, but who knows what the remaining months of the year will bring us, but as of today, we have 12 events remaining.

Looking back – ‘On This Day’

Over the past months, Glyn has been publishing a series of photographs from a time when racing was allowed and in abundance. Hopefully, August will see racing resuming once again in the UK, but until then take a look back at past events.

Regional Championships 1 June 2008 In this year, the South East region held the event on the Tenterden course with the riders covering 75 miles. On the 3 June 2001, The South East region championships took the riders on a 90-mile jaunt around the Smallfield/Bletchingley course.
Here we jump back to 31 May 2009 for the South East Championships on the Tenterden/Appledore course with 45 riders eventually finishing the race. One of the early season openers is Kingston Wheelers promotion (2/3 race) on the Dunsfold circuit. So let’s travel back to 22 March 2009.

‘Lucky Dip’ Rouleur Handicap Racing

Due to the new sanctioned suspension date, all the Rouleur Handicap series have been cancelled. With this in mind, and after speaking with the guys at Rouleur, it has been decided that the prizes for all the events will still be awarded.

So all 1st, 2nd, and 3rd cat riders, both junior and men, who have joined the Surrey League for 2020 will have their names placed into a musette, and every Thursday evening a name will be drawn revealing the evening’s ‘Lucky Dip’ race winner.

So far the winners have been;

  • Event 1 – Andrew Stewart, Lindfield Coffee Works RT
  • Event 2 – Adam Dart, Farnborough and Camberley CC
  • Event 3 – Bradley Shenton, Partenza – Nude Espresso RT
  • Event 4 – Andy Blackman, VC Meudon
  • Event 5 – Alex Cross, Meudon Sovereign Pedal Heaven
  • Event 6 – Scott Heyhoe, Farnborough and Camberley CC

The prize is a ticket to the Rouleur Classic show which is held at Victoria House in London during the first week of November. Obviously this is subject to any social distancing that may/may not be in place at that time.

‘Lucky Dip’ Dunsfold Park Racing

Each Friday, all 4th cat and Women riders who joined the league for 2020, will have their names placed into two separate musettes and 10 names (starting with 10th place) will be drawn out for each series. We will then allocate Surrey League points to the top ten results ending with an overall for each series.

Prizes will be awarded and sent to the winners of each race for all 12 events.

The winners so far are:

Event Precise Performance 4th cat series Stolen Goat women’s series
1 Rich Wilson Anna Dwyer
2 Joshua Perella Caroline Willis
3 Vince Freeman Laura Senior
4 Alvaro Trujillo Maria Victoria Vazquez-Tojeiro
5 ? ?
6 ? ?
7 ? ?
8 ? ?
9 ? ?
10 ? ?
11 ? ?
12 ? ?

Please note that it’s only one prize per person so if a person is drawn a second time, their position will stand, but the prize will move to the 2nd placed rider of that event.

Weekend racing in August and beyond

With all British Cycling sanctioned events cancelled throughout April, May, June, and July we are hoping that August will see racing commence again, but this is very much uncertain at the moment. Once we know either way then we’ll inform you also.

To see what racing is available from August, please visit our website page for Weekend Racing

Yellow Jersey Cycle Insurance and the Surrey League

We have teamed up with Yellow Jersey Cycle Insurance to offer our members a 10% discount off bicycle and cycle-specific travel insurance.

Cycling has risks especially when racing. Insuring yourself and your bike will allow you to ride, train and race stress-free, safe in the knowledge that you are covered for theft, accidental damage, and liability.

Their policies will cover you for all year round riding, sportives, and races, cycling abroad, your accessories, clothing and wheelsets, emergency physio, dental and permanent injury. Also, their ‘Ultimate’ package specifically offers cover while racing and also will cover race cancellation fees.

To obtain your 10% discount, just enter the code SURREYLEAGUE10 at checkout via the links mentioned here. Feel free to call their team on 03330030046 with any questions or click here to find out more.

Need a travel insurance quote? – try it out now

Further details can also be found on our website.


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Yours

Richard Pearman