The
Sussex Cyclists’ Association was formed in 1921 to promote time trials,
contests, competitions and social events for members of cycling clubs located
in Sussex. From the outset an important role of the Association was to
provide competitive rides for members who could not otherwise qualify for open
events which were then extremely popular and often oversubscribed.
Consequently all time trials promoted by the Association were restricted to
members of clubs affiliated to the Association.
As well as providing time trialling opportunities for Sussex riders the newly established Association also provided a controlling body to promote county championships at all recognised distances (10 miles, 25 miles, 50 miles and 100 miles). In addition a county Best All Rounder (BAR) competition was created which, at that time, was over 50 miles, 100 miles and 12 hours and reflected the then enthusiasm for long distances.
Since the establishment of the Association cycling has gone through a series of changes and the Association has taken these on board to reflect the needs of our local cyclists.
In the decades following the 1920’s cycling experienced a waning popularity and there was a gradual but steady decline in the number of competitive cyclists. The consequence was that it became unusual to have full fields for time trials that were restricted to entry by members of Sussex affiliated clubs. All events promoted by the Association are now open events. This means that entries are acceptable from any rider provided that they are a member of a club which is affiliated to the national Cycling Time Trials Association.
The good news is that in more recent times the declining trend has reversed and cycling in the UK has gone through a renaissance as there has been a significant resurgence in interest and participation. Cycling has become much more of a mainstream sport and the increased press coverage and numbers of roadside spectators at major events. The likes of Sir David Brailsford, Sir Bradley Wiggins, Mark Cavendish and Sky, together with success at Olympic cycling, the Tour de France will have had a major influence. The Giro D’Italia starting in Ireland and the Tour de France starting in Yorkshire and the upgrading of the Tour of Britain are all as a result of the fantastic public interest now being shown.
The general upswing has been mirrored in the experiences of our cycling clubs in Sussex. Over the past few years there has been a tremendous increase in club members throughout the county. For example Eastbourne Rovers membership grew from 67 to 239 in just two years. New clubs are emerging and the competition is hotting up again which is wonderful to record. It is also pleasing to record the camaraderie shown between members of the various clubs as they attend time trials or more generally on social media such as Facebook. The community is a vibrant one.
Time trialling itself has changed dramatically in the past 20 or so years. It is only as recently as 1989 that Greg LeMond caused a sensation in the final stage of the Tour de France by using aerodynamic tri-bars and went on to claim a dramatic victory. Since then bikes and clothing used for time trials have evolved and have become very specialised. GPS cycle computers and heart rate monitors emerged and as the price of these items has reduced so their take up has proliferated. Power meters have also arrived on the scene but the high price means that these really are only for the extremely enthusiastic. All of these sort of changes have filtered down to the local club scene as the products develop. As always the choice of what to use is up to the individual rider and a wide variation can be seen at any event. Even now it is not uncommon to see a road bike in use, perhaps with the addition of clip-on tri-bars. This is a great way for newcomers to the sport to dip their toe in the water.
As times have changed and enthusiasm for longer distances diminished, the nature of the competitions promoted by the Association has evolved to reflect the type of event that today’s modern rider expects and demands. The focus is on promoting cycling in Sussex by encouraging members to participate in competitions that include open events taking place partly or wholly in Sussex.
Whilst continuing to promote time trials at 10, 25 and 50 miles together with a hill climb, it has been necessary to incorporate other open events, namely the Southern Counties 100 and the Kent CA 12 hour, in order to keep the tradition of the Sussex Championships at all recognised distances. More recently, in 2013, an additional championship distance of 30 miles was added to the roster. In each of these championship events first claim members of affiliated clubs compete for a variety of trophies and awards.
The BAR competition has been through a series of changes to reflect the activities of the competitive cyclist today and to further encourage participation. There is now a range of BAR competitions to suit individual needs. 2014 saw the latest revision of the competition. These changes affected the number of rides at each distance and more significantly the switch from VTTA standards to CTT standards for veterans’ calculations.
As well as providing time trialling opportunities for Sussex riders the newly established Association also provided a controlling body to promote county championships at all recognised distances (10 miles, 25 miles, 50 miles and 100 miles). In addition a county Best All Rounder (BAR) competition was created which, at that time, was over 50 miles, 100 miles and 12 hours and reflected the then enthusiasm for long distances.
Since the establishment of the Association cycling has gone through a series of changes and the Association has taken these on board to reflect the needs of our local cyclists.
In the decades following the 1920’s cycling experienced a waning popularity and there was a gradual but steady decline in the number of competitive cyclists. The consequence was that it became unusual to have full fields for time trials that were restricted to entry by members of Sussex affiliated clubs. All events promoted by the Association are now open events. This means that entries are acceptable from any rider provided that they are a member of a club which is affiliated to the national Cycling Time Trials Association.
The good news is that in more recent times the declining trend has reversed and cycling in the UK has gone through a renaissance as there has been a significant resurgence in interest and participation. Cycling has become much more of a mainstream sport and the increased press coverage and numbers of roadside spectators at major events. The likes of Sir David Brailsford, Sir Bradley Wiggins, Mark Cavendish and Sky, together with success at Olympic cycling, the Tour de France will have had a major influence. The Giro D’Italia starting in Ireland and the Tour de France starting in Yorkshire and the upgrading of the Tour of Britain are all as a result of the fantastic public interest now being shown.
The general upswing has been mirrored in the experiences of our cycling clubs in Sussex. Over the past few years there has been a tremendous increase in club members throughout the county. For example Eastbourne Rovers membership grew from 67 to 239 in just two years. New clubs are emerging and the competition is hotting up again which is wonderful to record. It is also pleasing to record the camaraderie shown between members of the various clubs as they attend time trials or more generally on social media such as Facebook. The community is a vibrant one.
Time trialling itself has changed dramatically in the past 20 or so years. It is only as recently as 1989 that Greg LeMond caused a sensation in the final stage of the Tour de France by using aerodynamic tri-bars and went on to claim a dramatic victory. Since then bikes and clothing used for time trials have evolved and have become very specialised. GPS cycle computers and heart rate monitors emerged and as the price of these items has reduced so their take up has proliferated. Power meters have also arrived on the scene but the high price means that these really are only for the extremely enthusiastic. All of these sort of changes have filtered down to the local club scene as the products develop. As always the choice of what to use is up to the individual rider and a wide variation can be seen at any event. Even now it is not uncommon to see a road bike in use, perhaps with the addition of clip-on tri-bars. This is a great way for newcomers to the sport to dip their toe in the water.
As times have changed and enthusiasm for longer distances diminished, the nature of the competitions promoted by the Association has evolved to reflect the type of event that today’s modern rider expects and demands. The focus is on promoting cycling in Sussex by encouraging members to participate in competitions that include open events taking place partly or wholly in Sussex.
Whilst continuing to promote time trials at 10, 25 and 50 miles together with a hill climb, it has been necessary to incorporate other open events, namely the Southern Counties 100 and the Kent CA 12 hour, in order to keep the tradition of the Sussex Championships at all recognised distances. More recently, in 2013, an additional championship distance of 30 miles was added to the roster. In each of these championship events first claim members of affiliated clubs compete for a variety of trophies and awards.
The BAR competition has been through a series of changes to reflect the activities of the competitive cyclist today and to further encourage participation. There is now a range of BAR competitions to suit individual needs. 2014 saw the latest revision of the competition. These changes affected the number of rides at each distance and more significantly the switch from VTTA standards to CTT standards for veterans’ calculations.
The Sussex BAR competitions are based on open events taking place partly or wholly in Sussex and those promoted by local cycling associations or member clubs.
Other initiatives include the introduction of the Sussex SPOCO competition to cater for those interested in the more sporting type events and the Sussex Championship Points competition to add a further dimension to the championship events.
In addition to the Championship events the Association also promotes various other events including the 22.8 mile Hardriders, 2-up team time trial, two sporting events at 10 and 25 miles, and holds an annual prize presentation.
Current detail of all the various SCA competitions can be found here
For the Association to grow in strength it is important that members of affiliated clubs support these events and the competitions.
Other initiatives include the introduction of the Sussex SPOCO competition to cater for those interested in the more sporting type events and the Sussex Championship Points competition to add a further dimension to the championship events.
In addition to the Championship events the Association also promotes various other events including the 22.8 mile Hardriders, 2-up team time trial, two sporting events at 10 and 25 miles, and holds an annual prize presentation.
Current detail of all the various SCA competitions can be found here
For the Association to grow in strength it is important that members of affiliated clubs support these events and the competitions.