There’s the chance of one or two moist eyes this coming Wednesday as it will be the last ever K4/20 time trial on the course just outside of Banbury thanks to imminent 20mph restrictions being imposed by Oxfordshire County Council upon many of the towns and villages around our area. This is going to impact Wroxton in a major way as it’s easy for cyclists to exceed this lower limit which means we are busy trying to find alternatives for 2024 but hope to go out on a high this week with many taking the opportunity for one last chance of a setting a PB on a course that’s seen so many efforts and smiles/tears over the years it’s been used.
Please also note it’s a 6pm start as the nights draw in and those new rules regarding mandatory lights are there for a very good reason.
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
Race number collection starts from 5.00pm in the NOA (North Oxford Academy) car park access from the A422 Stratford Road and closes at 5.40pm with the first riders off at 6.01pm.
Additional Parking
There’s plenty of parking in NOA so please do not park on Ludlow Drive or any other residential area.
Race Officials
Timekeepers: Rhys Martin and Oli Wright
Marshals: TBD, Team Cherwell (TBD)
Race Route
After a standing start (which is relatively flat so clipping in shouldn’t pose a problem), the first leg takes riders up a long gentle rise to the left turn just after the Herb Centre. The course then proceeds along the ridge towards the top of Edgehill. Here a left turn is made taking you through the busy and narrow Edgehill village so please be aware of other road users. Once through the village there is a busy left turn at Upton House on to the long gradual decline of the Stratford Road through Wroxton village. A last lung-busting, leg-burning rise takes you through Drayton village before a sprint to the finish line.
Course records
| Date | Name | Time | Club | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 18 May 2022 | Josh Newbould | 00:26:10 | M | BSCC |
| 15 May 2019 | Dan Bigham | 00:24:42 | M | Non-BSCC Team Ribble Cycles |
| 15 May 2019 | Charlie Quarterman | 00:24:42 | M | Non-BSCC Holdsworth Zappi |
| 16 Jun 2021 | Naomi de Pennington | 00:30:14 | F | BSCC |
| 30 Aug 2023 | Jessica Rhodes-Jones | 00:28:42 | F | Non-BSCC Aerocoach |
| 30 Aug 2023 | Sam Martin | 00:29:11 | M U18 | BSCC |
| 31 Aug 2022 | Peggy Simpkins | 00:31:55 | F U18 | BSCC |
| 12 Aug 2020 | Daniel Roberts | 00:30:57 | M U18 | Non-BSCC |
| 5 Aug 2020 | Millie Couzens | 00:31:03 | F U18 | Non-BSCC |
| 30 Aug 2023 | Sam Martin | 00:29:11 | M U16 | BSCC |
| 18 May 2022 | Isabelle Boyes | 0:33:52 | 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
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
2023 Time Trial Calendar and Marshal Roster