It’s here! The time to dust off your skinsuit, blow the cobwebs from the aerobars and don a helmet that looks like it was modelled on a turtle’s shell because the 2022 TT season is about to start with the traditional 5 mile loosener out at Gaydon on the K4/5 course, a flat dash that doesn’t allow any respite for riders even though it’s our shortest race that doesn’t involve a hill.
The good news is that for 2022, all of the previous Covid restrictions have been dropped, the only thing we have decided to retain is registration but that becomes optional as a way of reserving a starting place. By doing this we have listened to your feedback and can go back to allowing on-the-evening entry, the first time since 2019 but if you chose this you do accept the risk of possibly not getting a starting place because we now have almost 80 club members paying the TT supplement and this first race is restricted to only 45 due to early sunset times. After that we increase the field size to 60 but it’s still going to be a rush for places.
This is the order of racing priority we will assign for all who register for our 2022 races:
1) Banbury Star CC members who’ve paid the TT supplement
2) Banbury Star CC members who’ve not paid the TT supplement
3) Team Cherwell members
4) Members of other clubs who have raced a TT with us last year
5) Everyone else including those who turn up on the night without registering
And within each of those categories, entry is determined based on the time you register to race so the earlier you do it the higher your chances of being able to take part.
Race Registration
Registration is now open and closes at 5pm on the Tuesday and we will be sending out an email later that evening to let entrants know if they have been successful (in case of over subscription) and also their start number.
For 2022, our Wednesday evening time trials will remain under the umbrella of The League International rather than CTT. The biggest change introduced by this decision is the need for all riders to hold TLI membership which must be taken out before registering to ride. You must show your 2022 TLI membership card to the time keeper at sign-on to prove you have paid for this year.
Race HQ
Race number collection starts from 5pm in the layby on the B4100 just before Gaydon and closes at 5.40pm with the first rider off at 6.01pm. Please remember that working front and rear lights are mandatory, no light equals no start and this rule will be strictly enforced. The other rule change for 2022 is that helmets are now mandatory.
Additional Parking
If you park in Gaydon village please do so responsibly and with respect for the residents.
Race Officials
Timekeepers: Rhys Martin
Pusher: n/a
Marshals: Adam Richie, Rebecca Mountford, Team Cherwell
Race Route
After a standing start (which is relatively flat so clipping in shouldn’t pose a problem), the course takes riders up a small ramp to the first roundabout where a left turn is made heading for Kineton. The road is now predominantly flat but the gentle bends make it difficult to spot your minuteman and judge your pace. On arriving at Kineton, a u-turn is made at the first roundabout and it’s then a mad dash back to Gaydon with the finish line located just at the top of a small, lung-busting, leg-burning rise.
Course records
| Date | Name | Time | CLUB | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 07 Sep 2022 | Josh Newbould | 00:10:09 | BSCC M | BSCC |
| 4 Sep 2019 | Charlie Quarterman | 0:09:45 | Non-BSCC M | Non-BSCC (Zappi Holdsworth) |
| 8 Sep 2021 | Naomi de Pennington | 00:11:56 | BSCC F | BSCC |
| 29 Mar 2023 | Sian Marsh | 00:11:23 | Non-BSCC F | Non-BSCC (Team Boompods) |
| 31 Mar 2021 | Louis Bushby | 00:11:29 | M U18 | BSCC |
| 7 Sep 2022 | Peggy Simpkins | 00:12:32 | F U18 | BSCC |
| 7 Sep 2022 | Sam Martin | 00:12:15 | M U16 | BSCC |
| 31 Mar 2021 8 Sep 2021 | Peggy Simpkins Poppy Kisley | 00:13:21 00:13:21 | F U16 | BSCC |
Entry fees
All riders who have to pay will do so by contactless means at the race HQ before collecting their number (debit card, credit card, Apple Pay, Google Pay, Android Pay), no cash or IOUs accepted!
Banbury Star members who’ve paid the TT supplement: no charge
Banbury Star members who’ve not paid the TT supplement: £2
Team Cherwell members: £3 which is paid by your club
Other riders: £3
Registration
To manage the demand for our events and provide a smoother, faster sign-on process competitors can chose to pre-register to take part.
When you register using the form at this link you will receive an auto reply emailed to you using the address you enter to acknowledge your registration. If you don’t see the email then a) look in your Junk/Spam folder, then b) register again and then c) contact the club.
We will be keeping a record of those who register but don’t turn up on the evening and reserve the right to withdraw this option if you have a history of no-showing.
Finally, there’s just one more thing to say:
“Do a good ride!”