XC Racing

Cross Country racing in the UK falls into numerous categories from the pure XC racing  that takes up to a maximum of 2 hours over numerous laps of a 5-7 km course to the endurance events that range from 2 hours up to 24 hours of racing that can be tackled as individuals or teams of 2 or more.

Endurance racing is far less formal and a good introduction to racing as the courses are less technical and the field is far more open with a greater range of abilities and with a wide range of races available from 2 hours upwards there is an option for anyone to dip there toe into competitive racing.

The shorter pure XC racing is more serious and is split into a range of categories based on ability, these are Elite, Expert, Sport and Open. In the National series you must begin by competing at sport level to build up points (if you pay for a racing licence) to gain entrance to the higher categories for the next year.

The list below is of a number of race series that go on during the winter period which is the off-season from serious racing and these events give a good opportunity for people to give competitive cycling a first try. Only the Autumn Classic series split the races into ability categories while the others base it on time with both 2 and 4 hour race lengths to suit what you feel comfortable doing.

Merida Brass Monkeys  - A series of 2 and 4 hour enduro races in the South East, organised by the Gorrick team - http://www.gorrick.com/racing/endurobm/index.php

Gorrick Autumn Classics - A longstanding XC racing series located in the south east, foun courses and a range of categories for all abilities - http://www.gorrick.com/racing/autumn/index.php

Thetford Winter Series - A series of 2 and 4 hour enduro races in Thetford forest, entry is very limited however - http://www.thetfordmtbracing.com/ws.htm

If you require further information of XC racing then plase get in touch with the XC Captain Phillip Davies at xc@lsu-cycling.co.uk