It’s trophy time!
We’ve had a few weeks of warming up on the 20k course and now it’s time for the serious stuff with a slight twist on what was previously a 25 mile race for the Friswell Cup. This year we’ve decided to go a bit easy on you all and knocked a whole two miles off the course distance. That two mile reduction will become invaluable for that sprint up the gentle undulation that’s Sunrising Hill as we are using the Hardriders route.
Changes for 2023
Before jumping into the details of the race, there are some important changes for 2023 which all riders must be aware of:
- For 2023, we have decided to return to the umbrella of Cycling Time Trials which provides more flexibility and also allows us to host guest riders from other clubs who won’t have to pay any kind of third-party membership, we hope to see riders from around the region come to test themselves
- There is no pre-race registration for the first time since 2019, entrants can now just turn up, sign on, pay and race
- Front lights and helmets become mandatory, even for hill climbs. Rear lights have been required for several years.
Race HQ
Sign-on and race number collection starts from 6pm in the TBD car park and closes at 6.40pm with the first riders off at 7.01pm.
Race Officials
Timekeepers: Rhys Martin and Oli Wright
Marshals: Stelios Maragkos, Lee Heron, Josh Newbould, Team Cherwell (Debi Coles)
Race Route
After a standing start, the course heads out of Wroxton along the Stratford Road on a gentle uphill section that can be a delight or a curse depending on the wind direction. Once nicely warmed up the first test is soon in front of the riders: the technical descent of the 17% Sunrising Hill where some serious speed is built up and which very quickly needs to be scrubbed off before the hairpin bend halfway down. Once negotiated (without crossing the double white lines, instant disqualification) it’s full on the gas all the way down the rest of the hill to maintain a high average speed.
The course then undulates it’s way out to Ettington where a u-turn is performed at the roundabout for riders to then retrace their route, knowing what’s ahead of them before that final three mile blast down the Stratford Road and the finish line: climbing up Sunrising Hill. You can walk up, you can wheelie up, you can do it on the big ring, the small ring, you can stay on the aerobars – all have been done before. Just remember to smile for the camera! The finish line is just before entering Wroxton village. Congratulations, you’re now a Hardrider.
Course records
| DATE | NAME | TIME | CLUB | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 26 May 2021 | Simon Bull | 0:55:10 | M | BSCC |
| 24 May 2023 | Silas Vanden Branden | 0:51:41 | M | Non-BSCC UOBCC |
| 9 Jun 2021 | Naomi de Pennington | 0:57:10 | F | BSCC |
| 24 May 2023 | Naomi de Pennington | 0:55:56 | F | Non-BSCC Drag2Zero |
| M U18 | ||||
| 24 May 2023 | Poppy Kisley | 1:07:23 | F U18 | BSCC |
| M U16 | ||||
| 7 Jul 2021 | Poppy Kisley | 1:12:47 | 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. We accept payment via debit card, credit card, Apply Pay, Google Pay, Android Pay but no cash, IOUs or promises of beer are accepted!
Banbury Star members who have paid the TT supplement: £0
Other Banbury Star members: £3
Team Cherwell members: £4 (paid by club)
Other guests: £5
Parking: £1
BSCC members can opt to pay the TT supplement at any point during the season.
Useful links
The Timekeeper’s Top Ten Time Trial Tips – by Keri Williams