We’re well into the (shortened) club TT season now and our travels around the region take us out to Tysoe for the course where we’ve still not accounted for all of those who somehow managed to go off-piste in previous years. The instructions from the timekeeper (“turn left whenever you see one of our time trial signs”) were just too much for some and we believe they’re still out there, lost forever in the midst of the Tysoe Triangle being pursued by angry locals.
This is one of our fastest courses, being quite technical in places and with a few hazards along the way including the now infamous Sherlock Corner which need to be safely negotiated.
Race Registration
Only riders who have pre-registered will be able to race, for this season we cannot accept on the evening entries. The link to register is at the bottom of this page. Registration closes at 5pm on the Tuesday and we will be sending out an email that evening to let entrants know if they have been successful (in case of over subscription) and also their start number.
Race HQ
Race number collection starts from 6pm in the Sun Rising Natural Burial Ground North car park (closest to the Stratford Road and closes at 6.40pm with the first rider off at 7.01pm. The owners have graciously let us use their parking and we ask all riders to be respectful of their surroundings. Please note there are no toilets available here. It is mandatory for all riders and officials to maintain a 2m social distancing gap from everyone else at all times. No competitor cars are to be left in the vicinity of the start line and it is not advisable to park in the village either.
Please remember that for 2020 a working rear light is mandatory.
Additional Parking
The Burial Ground car park we are using for race number collection isn’t large enough for everyone to park in. If you arrive to find it full, additional parking is available at two locations, outside Upper Tysoe Village Hall (marked Social Club on Google Maps) and in the car park next to the Old Fire Station:
Race Officials
Timekeepers: Keri Williams and Oli Wright
Pusher: n/a
Marshals: TBD, Team Cherwell
Race Route
After a standing start, riders proceed along the imaginatively named Strava segment “Spooky Lane”, past the HQ car park to the junction at the bottom of Sun Rising Hill where a left turn is made onto the A422 Stratford Road. The tail end of Sun Rising provides a slightly negative gradient here allowing the speed to quickly build for the two miles of the A422 after which another left turn is made onto the Kineton Road just after Redwings stables. Competitors then make another turn on passing the five mile point at Whatcote, continuing on the quiet lanes for another couple of miles until the final left turn is made onto the home stretch heading for firstly Upper Tysoe and then Lower Tysoe, negotiating the final bend (Sherlock Corner) before one last downhill sprint to the finish line. Care is required both here to not cross the central white line and also whilst riding through Upper Tysoe due to parked cars and road traffic.
Course records
| DATE | NAME | TIME | CLUB | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 29 Jul 2020 | Luke Norris | 00:21:59 | M | BSCC |
| 31 May 2017 | Jon Simpkins | 00:21:44 | M | Drag2Zero |
| 31 Jul 2019 | Naomi de Pennington | 00:24:40 | F | BSCC |
| 29 Jul 2020 | Lydia Watts | 00:25:18 | F | Liv AWOL |
| 29 Jul 2020 | Peggy Simpkins | 00:28:24 | F U18 | BSCC |
| TBD | TBD | TBD | M U18 | BSCC |
For this season we will have a new road bike category for competition, any road bike can be used but to qualify neither it, nor the rider can have aero aids such as tri-bars, disc wheels, pointy helmet or a helmet with a visor etc.
Entry fees
For 2020 all riders who have to pay will do so by contactless means at the race HQ before collecting their number (debit card, credit card, Apply Pay, Google Pay, Android Pay), no cash or IOUs accepted!
Banbury Star first and second claim members: £3
Team Cherwell members: paid by club
Other guests: £5
Registration
To manage the demand for our events and provide a smoother, faster sign-on process all competitors must now pre-register to take part: