Racing is hard. And we like it that way.
It can be about the satisfaction of holding on when it didn’t seem possible. Or being in a break with a few people and even if it doesn’t work, you will always share that memory of pushing yourselves with your companions. How about that celebration of perseverance upon catching the peloton after you had been dropped? The best is of course is when your legs are starting to scream but realising that you are dropping large parts of the peloton.
Bridging the gap
For men new to racing, by default for your first race we will place in you D grade and then assess where you are best placed going forward. For women, you will be placed into WC or WB grades.
We want to bridge that gap between D Grade and the next group of cyclists who still love racing. That is why the Combine is supporting clubs to run marshaled E Grades. All scratch races on the Combine fixture will include an E/ WC Grade.
The host club will provide experienced marshals to support the peloton. The group may start under neutral with the idea to get comfortable on the course, but it is certainly still a race. The marshals are there to answer any questions, offer guidance on things like overlapping wheels and in the case of the peloton separating, they can support multiple groups. If the marshals are in a good mood, they may even offer a little hand to assist with holding onto the peloton.
A race licence is required. Podium places are split by gender.