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Sunday 29 January 2012

LWCR joins the Surrey League for 2012

We've always had a good relationship with the Surrey League as they are ardent supporters of women's racing, and we have in turn included several of their races in our league. But this year it's a bit more formal: we at the LWCR have joined the Surrey League for 2012, meaning that our members can get the discounted entry fee at their races. In return, we are promoting a day of racing at the Cyclopark in Kent, including a men's E/1/2/3 and men's 4th cat race.

This day is Saturday April 28, which just happens to be the date of our third league race of the season. For the first time, we are promoting our own race! We will need a hand with marshalling and managing the men's races that day, so stay tuned for info on how you can help.

Here's how it works:

If you're a member of a club that's already affiliated with the Surrey League for men's racing (generally the larger local teams like London Dynamo or Dulwich Paragon, but also some smaller teams -- check with your club's road racing rep) then you can join the Surrey League as an individual in your club's name. For those riders who aren't members of Surrey League-affiliated teams (in particular our women's-only teams, or teams outside of Southeast England) then you can affiliate as an individual with us. Just make sure you list "LWCR" as your team (though of course we know you will race for your real team!)

Individual affiliation for women costs £10, and over the course of the season you will collect Surrey League points based on your results (as long as you don't DNS or DNF a race, you are guaranteed at least one point per race!) which will be traded in for cash at the end of the year. As we have a total of five Surrey League races on our calendar, it makes sense to join. And affiliation gives you the discounted entry fee for any other Surrey League races you might want to do: men's, women's, TTs, handicaps, on circuits and on the open road -- check out the calendar here or on the Rider HQ site.

Affiliation is being done through Rider HQ this year which means you need to be approved by either your club (if a Surrey League-affiliated club) or us at LWCR (if joining through us). You can affiliate here: https://www.riderhq.com/groups/surreyleague/0/join. Then it's just a matter of entering races -- so get entering!

If you are a new racer this season, it's highly recommended that you do the Cyclopark Surrey League race on Sunday February 5. This one is for 3rd and 4th cat riders only, and will include some tips and practise on group riding and racing before the race begins. Enter here.

Some other useful links:
-- Surrey League rules and regulations
-- a list of Surrey League-affiliated clubs from 2011
-- our 2012 calendar (still in draft form with a few races to be confirmed)

Thursday 26 January 2012

Introducing LWCR's headline sponsor for 2012: Rapha Racing


Rapha Announces Headline Sponsorship of London Women’s Cycle Racing League

Rapha, creators of the finest cycling clothing and accessories in the world, are happy to announce that they will be headline sponsors of the London Women’s Cycle Racing League (LWCR) for 2012. Sponsorship of the London-based grassroots league is an important early component of Rapha’s wider strategy to support and become instrumental in the growth of women’s cycling worldwide.

Established by the women’s cycling community in 2010, the London Women’s Cycle Racing League is an annual series of races in London and the South East. The league caters for the growing number of women taking up cycling and becoming more competitive, and brings them together at designated races and time trial events, where they are introduced to racing, can develop their skills and get involved in healthy local competition. In 2010 Rapha launched its first collection for women, offering a selection of essential Rapha products. Technical fabrics have been combined with thoughtful details to create the ultimate training and racing apparel that is both stylish and functional.

Rapha will be providing the league with a wide level of support from leaders’ jerseys and the private-hire of circuits for women’s-only events, to end of season prizes across the league for top riders, special awards and teams. Additionally, Rapha are introducing a badging and awards system for each event participant, category winners and league leaders throughout the season. Using Rapha’s website and social media LWCR will be promoted with photography and writing by ambassadors, guest writers and interviews with local riders. Anyone participating in the London women’s league who would like to submit photography and articles for publishing throughout the season are encouraged to do so.

Simon Mottram, CEO of Rapha, said of the sponsorship: “Our aim is that women around London and the SE regions will see that all of their work throughout the season is recognised and appreciated not only on the same level as men’s grassroots racing, but setting a precedent for what can be accomplished with dedicated support from a cycling brand. For Rapha this is just the beginning of our involvement in women’s cycling. Road cycling is the most beautiful sport in the world and we want to help new riders build their confidence, grow their ambition and feel like cycling is an important social part of their lives as well.”

To further encourage the growth of women’s cycling, and following on from the women’s CX clinics led by Rapha ambassador Claire Beaumont in 2011, Rapha will run skill sessions to demonstrate some of the basics of safe road racing and bike handling for everyone from beginners to top riders who want a bit of extra practice.
Women’s cycling should be recognised globally for the incredible athletes who ride at every level of the sport. The LWCR league has already set the bar very high for what can be achieved through volunteer dedication and local club riders all coming together over the last two years. Rapha’s sponsorship aims to build on this and ensure the league organisers and riders can count on the support they need to make the 2012 season the best yet.

Thursday 12 January 2012

League Meeting on Mon Jan 16 -- all welcome

Further to the previous post outlining plans for the 2012 season, we have set up a meeting about the league on Monday 16th January at 7pm at the Weatherspoons at Victoria Station.

http://www.jdwetherspoon.co.uk/home/pubs/the-willow-walk

All are welcome. We will be discussing sponsorship, the league calendar, potential pre-league rides and anything else that comes up! AnaNichoola and Rapha will be represented at the meeting.

Please let us know if you hope to attend so we have an idea of numbers.