04-12-13
Dromara Cycling Club run a club league each year incorporating both time trials and road races.  The events usually take place on a Thursday evening between April and September starting at 7 pm each evening.  The events are held at various locations in County Down and are open to any club member, aged 12 or over, who holds at least a Cycling Ireland 'club competition' licence.  Newcomers without a 'club competition' licence are welcome to try out up to two of our events before taking out the appropriate licence.  

The league was originally set up by club member Bob Patterson who designed it so that all participants would have an equal chance of winning the league, regardless of gender, age or ability, as the 'points' are based on participation, commitment and personal improvement.  At the end of the year there are trophies for both first and second place as well as special awards for the best under 30 and over 55. 

To run an event the club needs both timekeepers and marshalls.  These helpers are drawn from the list of participants and are named in advance of the event.  As an acknowledgement for their assistance, both types of helpers are awarded league points (see below).

Time handicaps
Time handicaps are applied in two ways.  For time trials they are applied after the event in order to even out the various ability levels and find out who has made personal improvements.  For road races, the time handicaps are applied by grouping similar ability riders together and setting them off at timed intervals.  In theory, all riders should then come together at the end for a 'bunch finish'. 

Riders begin the series of events with no time handicaps.  The first time handicap is calculated after the first 10 mile (solo) time trial.  The time handicap is calculated from the number of minutes and seconds above 20 minutes i.e. if Rider A completes the 10 mile time trial in 30 minutes then his/her time handicap for the next time trial will be 10 minutes.  At the next 10 mile time trial Rider A completes the event in an 'actual time' of 28 minutes.  With the 10 minute time handicap his/her 'handicap' time will be 18 minutes.  This is then compared to the other riders, ranked in order of time and then points are awarded (see paragraph below).  A report from each event is provided on the club website along with tables showing both the actual times and the handicapped times.  After each subsequent 10 mile (solo) time trial, the handicap is recalculated based on the 'average' of all the 10 mile time trials during this season.  In the example above, for the third 10 mile time trial, Rider A will have a 9 minute handicap (i.e. 30mins-20mins = 10mins, 28mins - 20mins = 8mins, average of 10mins and 8mins = 9mins). 

Points awarded

For road races
The winner receives 50 points, second gets 45 points, third gets 40, fourth 35, fifth 30, sixth 29, seventh 28 etc.  The minimum number of points awarded for completing a race is 25.  Since 2009, points are also awarded for those who were unable to complete the full race distance.  These points are based on the percentage of the course completed i.e. if the course is 10 laps and the rider completes 6 then the points awarded will be based on 25  points (minimum)  multiplied by 0.6 (6 laps divided by 10 laps) giving a points value of 15.

For time trials
For time trials, the points are awarded on the fastest 'handicap' time.  The winner gets 40 points, second gets 39, third gets 38 etc.  The minimum number of points awarded for completing the distance is 25.
NEW FOR 2013
The points for the club time trials will be split into two groups.  Those with time trial bikes and those without.  
The fastest rider in the "time trial" category will receive 40 points
The fastest rider in the "non time trial" category will receive 40 points

Specification
1. ROAD BIKE CLASS
- no aero helmet
- no clip on bars
- no disk wheels
Skin suits and deep section wheels allowed

2. TT CLASS
- any aero helmet, clip on bars or disk wheels

NOTE: For any time trial with a specific trophy, the trophy will be awared to the fastest rider irrespective of "class".


For timekeepers
In recognition of the vital job that timekeepers play, from 2009 onwards the timekeepers are to get a minimum of 27 points, with a maximum of one point less than the last participant gets (minimum of 27).  Therefore, if at a time trial there are 10 participants, the winner would get 40 points, the 10th rider would get 31 and the timekeeper(s) would get 30 points.

For marshalls
From 2012 onwards, marshalls are to get 20 points for helping out.  This will not depend on the number of participants.  
[NOTE:  Marshalls must be aged 18 or over]

All participants, marshalls and time keepers sign a Cycling Ireland form with the following disclaimer
I understand and agree that I participate in this event entirely at my own risk, that I must rely on my own ability in dealing with all hazards and that I must ride in a manner which is safe for myself and all others. I am aware that when riding on a public highway the function of the marshals is only to indicate direction and that I must decide whether the movement is safe. I agree that no liability what so ever shall attach to the Promoter, Promoting Club, Race Sponsor, Cycling Ireland, any Sub-Committee of Cycling Ireland, any Race Official or any Member of the Promoting Club in respect of injury, loss or damage suffered by me in or by reason of the event, however caused.

Overall
At the end of the series of events, the final point totals will be calculated based on the best 18 out of 21 events. 




DROMARA CC - TIME TRIAL RULES
from Derek Hanna
  • You are responsible for your own safety. Obey traffic laws. The road is not closed for the event. You are deemed to be a regular road user.
  • Line up at the starting line on the hard shoulder in departure number order. Stay off the travelled part of the roadway.
  • Missing your start time means you go last.
  • Respect the rights of other road users. Allow plenty of room when passing pedestrians or other cyclists.
  • Do not ride with your head down.
  • A marshal is on duty to mark the turnaround point and to vouch that riders reach the turnaround point. The marshal is not authorized to advise you on whether you should turn.
  • The decision to turn is yours alone. You must check in both directions well in advance of the turnaround point to determine whether it is safe to turn. If in doubt, err on the side of waiting.
  • Helmet use is mandatory.
  • Warming up on the course after the first rider is away is forbidden. Plenty of room in the opposite direction!
  • No drafting is allowed ..ie.. sitting behind another rider.
  • Call out your name loud and clear as you approach and cross the finish line.
  • Riders shall not approach the timekeepers for times until all riders are finished
Latest club calendar
here (ver 2)

Club league after 25 rounds
here

Reports from each round
here


Time trial rules
here

Previous year's reports
2012
2011
2010
2009
2008
2007

Points awarded

Position
 Time trials
 Road races
1st
 40
 50
2nd
 39
 45
3rd
 38
 40
4th
 37
 35
5th
 36
 34
6th
 35
 33
7th
 34
 32
8th
 33
 31
9th
 32
 30
10th
 31
 29
11th
 30
 28
12th
 29
 27
13th
 28
 26
14th
 27
 25
15th
 26
 25
16th
 25
 25
17th
 25
 25
18th
 25
 25
19th
 25
 25
20th
 25
 25
* last updated 14 May 2009

RoundDateTypeLocationReport
14 April 20135 mile TTSpa lakehere
211 April 201310 mile TTLurgan Road, Dromorehere
318 April 20132-up TT 8 mileHillsborough - Ballynahinchhere
425 April 2013Road RaceDrumaroad circuithere
52 May 201310 mile TTAnnahilt trianglehere
69 May 201316 mile TTBallynahinch - Hillsborough - Ballynahinchhere
716 May 201310 mile TTDownpatrick Road, Ballynahinchhere
823 May 201310 mile TTSpa lakehere
930 May 2013Road RaceFlatfields / Mazehere
106 June 201310 mile TTDundrum linehere
1113 June 20132-up TT 10 mileDownpatrick Road, Ballynahinchhere
1220 June 2013Road RaceAnnahilthere
1327 June 2013CANCELLED
144 July 2013Road RaceDromara circuithere
1511 July 20135-up time trialHillsborough to Ballynahinchhere
1618 July 201316/25 mile TTsBann Road, Castlewellan to Banbridgehere
1725 July 2013Road RaceMaze Long Keshhere
181 August 201310 mile TTDundrum linehere
198 August 201316 mile TTHillsborough - Ballynahinch - Hillsboroughhere
2015 August 2013Road RaceHarry Ferguson Cuphere
2122 August 20132-up TT 1.7 mileGall Bog Roadhere
2229 August 201310 mile TTCrossgar Road, Ballynahinchhere
235 September 2013Hill climbDiamond Hill, Dromorehere
2412 September 2013Hill climbClonveraghanhere
2519 September 2013Hill climbBegney Hillhere





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