Summertycle Special
Raceissues
You've removed your stabilisers. you've mastered your bike clips. now you're ready to race. 30 where do you head? Words: Richard Moore
The organising body for all forms of cycle racing in Scotland is the Scottish Cyclists' Union. The first step if you’re interested in Joining the ranks of the 1,500 or so people who race in Scotland is to contact one of the 100 cycling clubs, around 30 of which are based in Glasgow and Edinburgh. The SCU can advise on clubs in any area, and they can provide information about the types of cycling activity particular clubs are involved in.
got full mudguards, pannier rack, lights; the full commuter mountain bike.
Where and when do you like to ride?
Graeme Obree, racing Whenever I get a
I Mountain biking Mountain biking is the fastest growmg form of the sport throughout the world, and Scotland has
world champion chance; unfortunately .
Graeme Obree became lrm very busy Wlth some of the best terrain for off-road raCing anywhere. There
Cycimgls equwaiem to various things. I like are several clubs which cater exclusively for mountain bikers,
Bliiy Burner when, on a going touring, it's my but most clubs have a mix of road and off—road riders.
homemade blke Whlch number one thing. The biggest MTB event in Scotland this year is the
famously included parts 00 you havea Avalanche Cup, a round of the European Downhill Series,
from his washing favourite ride? which is being held at Innerleithen on Sunday 3 September.
machine, he came from Not any more, now that
nowhere to become a I'm not dorng regular I Road racing Thanks to the Tour de France, road racing Scotland isgfeattor world Champ'on and tralttlng runs. But | IIke remains the most recognisable form of cycle racing, and there’s m°""ta'" b'kes
record ho'der '” the m'd' mOSt 0‘ Scotland: 0“ a healthy scene in Scotland. Fields can number up to 120, while the distances
agsbllL‘eangSZLfGSrgfr :32: fit: than 0” typically range from 50 to 100 miles. Individual time trials, meanwhile, are good ’ ' qu'et roads for beginners, and there are hundreds held in Scotland, from and unfairly, overlooked My favourite part of the . l I b .Fh h f fact was that the gem country IS the North uno icia cu events to Scottis c ampions ips rom ten mi es confessed eccentric West, particutany up to twelve noun _ possessed an Incredmie round the Isles. Actually, The oldest road race on the British calendar is Glasgow- ability to ride a bike. i'm Just back from a 4- Dunoon, which has recently been awarded Premier Calendar Fast. day tourmg nonday to status, making it one of the most prestigious one day events on Away from Mull. We couldn’t really the British calendar. This year the lOZ-mile race will take place competition Obree was be bothered dOIng much on Sunday 13 August. always a blg fan 0f cycling once we were “d'ng h's b'ke S'mp'y for there; we d'd about 50 I Track racing The principal racing track is Meadowbank ffin'AHlaV'ngéfit'red after “mesa day! W'th the ill” velodrome, mm for the 1970 Commonwealth Games and 2529;502:188 (315:2; camping 'gear . used when the Games returned to town again sixteen years Road races c1aor5coyier abortlve comebackS R 3:23;: 32:35::2 later. It still plays host to some of the biggest meetings on the m' 9‘ Obree has settled m when you're “at British track calendar. _ _ Ayrshire, Where he st.“ On the Saturday 24 and Sunday 25 June, the East of Scotland GP Will include
touring i’m writing my autobiography, that's
the International Sprint, pitting the continentals against the best of British, possibly including Scottish Olympic medal prospects Craig MacLean and Chris
ENJOYS riding his bike as often as he can.
What bike are you takmg most of my “me Hoy. It's excning stuff and well worth a look.
riding at the moment? But it's going pretty
A standard Siowiy. At the rate i'm I BMX Remember BMX? It’s actually enjoying a resurgence in Scotland. no-frills H . going as gOIng to The first club to be started in Scotland in the past six years is
mountain
end up being the Bathgate BMX Club, and an organising body, Scottish BMX, blke. lt'S
published is being set up. One of their first aims is to get the Bathgate posthumously. track up to international standard, and they'll be holding a national race there in mid-August.
Watch out for Scotland’s first indoor BMX dirt Jumping competition at the SECC in February 2001
Contacts Scottish Cyclists' Union, Tel 0131 652 0187; BMX: Fraser.Waters@virgin.net; www.descent-world.co.uk
BMX is gig in Bathgate
‘ Juice Dehydration ights Not that do aid yisihility in standard light. And just as in an increasing array of allects your —limportant at this addition to a important is yottr shapes and si/es. The lull
PCrmrmimCC MIC" “hm” time “i )‘cut' in clothing; a light jacket is suspension bikes are five miles cycliitg. hit a Scotland. htit far more \ isihle to other particularly good for “m” h‘m'C l” kCL‘P the Cttmc road itsers than one that is doyynhilling. and the race Ni" “ii-“"0 ll'hl'iCi‘lCd- Scl’lcmi‘c'l dark. l‘ront and back models. with their low ' "md “in “NH.” n." )0” “ l” halogen lights front seat height and high uni-uh up from the road. It certainly ('ateye £25.99 (Bike 'I‘rax. handlebar height. are you need your bike to need some. Lochrin Place. lidinhurghi quite distinctiye. (‘ross "MCI 1" “Wk. tttudguurth Flushing are a good choice. country machines. on the are it must. (in for quality Llil) lights untain hikes: other hand. look similar to 5K5 are the but at £17.95 arc ’ shops sell min-c road bikes. though the (Edinburgh BREW“ (“H”). (“Chllik‘it”) "(’1 mountain hikes than any saddle is typically slightly "hunk." 'I‘Crliicclo itlltmt‘tl. but other hike. and they come loyy er. . >
8-22 June 2000 THE lIST 19