Pin on a number!
Race entry cut-offs are in place to allow enough time to prepare races. The Combine takes pride in its handicapping and our ability to adjust grades based on entries for a particular race instead of simply locking you into a grade - but this takes time.
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.
The Combine will be guided by the governing body's policies in regards to:
If you feel something hasn't been handled correctly, have been treated poorly by anybody (riders, officials or other) at one of our events or have any concerns, we strongly encourage you to either contact us directly or reach out to your club's member protection officer.
Grading is about placing you with riders of similar strength and this can change race to race depending on entries. The handicappers use a number of sources of information, including recent race results in other club and VRS events. But the best source of information is you and your peers. They value and encourage feedback from riders regards grading and they do their best to make racing fair for everyone. That includes moving faster people out of lower grades so that slower or less experienced racers still get a good racing experience.
LICENCING
The Northern Combine runs fully sanctioned racing through the national cycling governing body with the permission of local councils, Vic Roads and Victoria Police. Racing licences are required to race and you should bring it with you to the registration desk on race day to collect your number. Licences can be obtained through the governing body.
The Northern Combine supports equal opportunities for women to participate and race in events. This is achieved through the efforts of the Women's Coordinator and each club's commitment, as well as the Combine committee as a whole. We welcome your thoughts and assistance on how this can be improved. Please contact your club representative or Women's Coordinator.
There are specific races on the fixture indicated as having junior categories. Only certain courses on the fixture are appropriate for junior racing and only certain clubs have the capabilities to run junior events. We are targeting these races specifically to create the deepest fields and best experiences for juniors.
Race entry cut-offs are in place to allow enough time to prepare races. The Combine takes pride in its handicapping and our ability to adjust grades based on entries for a particular race instead of simply locking you into a grade - but this takes time.
Guiding Principle: The Combine seeks to provide a safe racing environment and positive experience for riders.
Bad weather is part of cycling and can create some amazing experiences (“remember that day…”). Whenever possible, we prefer to race. We only cancel events when conditions are dangerous.