Race Manual!
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Contents!
Introduction!
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History of Cycling in Glasgow
Green!
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Our Friends !
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Essentials!
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Pre Race!
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Race!
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Post Race!
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Introduction!
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Welcome to the Glasgow Riderz Crit on the Green. Many thanks from everyone at the club for your
entry and we hope you have a fantastic day of racing both as a participant and a spectator.!
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We have been overwhelmed by the number of entrants, so thank you for helping to make this the
largest youth race ever held in Scotland. However, that brings its own challenges and I hope you
can be patient with us if things don't go as smoothly as they should. We will do our utmost to make
you day as enjoyable as possible. !
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The race is the first in the WoSCA series of Youth Crit racing which will include racing throughout
spring, summer and autumn. Keep an eye on Facebook and the British Cycling website for further
details.!
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We are also proud to be hosting the inaugural Glasgow Life Youth Cycle Trophy for Under 16 Boys
and Under 14/16 Girls. We hope that this will become an established fixture on the youth racing
calendar. A huge thanks to Glasgow Life for their support and encouragement for our event.!
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We are also excited to have such great sponsors on board for our event. Billy Bilsland’s Cycles is
part of the fabric of the Glasgow cycling community and is so much more than simply a bike shop;
it’s an institution and embodies everything a bike shop should be. !
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We are also proud to have Siempre Bicycle Cafe as a sponsor. Since opening on Dumbarton Road
a few years ago they have become an established fixture in Glasgow’s Westend, with a number of
clubs now using it as a starting point for their regular rides.!
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This has not happened by accident, combining coffee and bikes seems such an obvious idea now
that someone has done it, but it was Siempre that introduced the concept to Glasgow that a bike
shop could also be a quality cafe serving healthy tasty food. They also have a fantastic garden
area for the summer months and regularly show cycle racing throughout the season. If you haven’t
visited Siempre I urge you to make a point of visiting for lunch, you wont be disappointed.!
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Finally, but by no means least, we, and many of our club members are excited to have Big Bobble
Hats sponsoring our event. Big Bobble Hats first came to prominence at cyclocross races and soon
became the must-have fashion item of any self respecting cyclist. Their choice of styles and
imaginative designs mean one is never enough and I’m sure many of us have children and friends
that have a collection of these hats at home. They are now as mandatory as the cycle cap and
bidon.!
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We must also extend a huge thanks to Tesco Maryhill, AG Barr, and Tunnocks for their kind
donations to the event. !
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Finally, a huge thanks to everyone that has helped make this event a reality and a special thanks
to Sophie Warburton of Scottish Cycling without whom our idea of a race in Glasgow Green would
never have become a reality!
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Have a great time,!
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Glasgow Riderz!
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Racing in Glasgow Green: A Brief History
Glasgow Green, where the
race is being held today has
seen its fair share of bike
racing dating back to the very
earliest days of road cycling
in Scotland. However, other
than a few notable
exceptions like the 2013
British Championships which
road racers and testers led to
the creation of Brighton to
Glasgow stage race. Though
the race never finished in
Glasgow Green it’s a useful
marker to demonstrate
Glasgow’s elevated position
overall in 1946) and George
Edwards of the Chryston
Wheelers among some of the
strong contingent from
Scotland, who raced, over 5
days, to Glasgow.
Interestingly the race leader
in Britain as one of the major
cycling centres since the
early days of the sport.
Scottish riders were well
represented with names such
as Alex Hendry of the
Glasgow Wheelers (2nd
each day would carry a letter
addressed to the Lord
Provost of Glasgow who
made the final presentation
at the end of the race.!
The golden age was
definitely from the 1960s to
started and finished in the
park there has been very little
bike racing on the green for
since the 2006 Scottish
championships. !
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This was one of the main
drivers for us as a club to
bring back racing to the
Green. It also gave us a
perfect opportunity to reflect
on the illustrious history of
today’s venue and give back
its rightful place in Scottish
cycling history. !
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The formation of the British
League of Racing Cyclists
(BLRC) in the 1940s and the
ensuing schism between
the late 1980s when more
than a few legends of the
scene passed through
beating all comers and
propelling themselves into a
pro career on the continent.
Names such as Billy Bilsland
sometimes won, many of the
prestigious races of the time
such as the Ras, the Tour of
Scotland, the Milk Race, the
Dauphine, the Peace Race,
and of course the Vuelta and
Tour de France. !
time was the ‘Glasgow Grand
Prix’. This consisted of a
Junior (won by Robert Millar
in the 1970s) and a senior
race. The event was
supported by Glasgow City
Council and the start finish
line was outside the people’s
Palace where the Doulton
Fountain now stands.
Bilsland won the very first
Grand Prix in 1964.!
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The council and organiser
also put up prizes for the
winners of the race though
due to rules about amateur
sport at the time they could
not offer cash prizes. I’ll
leave it to Steve McGinty to
explain: !
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and Robert Millar almost
immediately come to mind
but they were only two of
many top class cyclists who
raced on the Green.
Speaking to a few of the
knowledgable veterans of the
scene from back then, it
quickly becomes clear that
Bilsland and Millar, though
admittedly classy and world
class cyclists, certainly
weren't unusual as the
standard of cyclists in
Scotland and Glasgow in
particular at that time was
hugely impressive.!
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Names such as Drew
Robertson, Jamie McGahan,
Davie Whitehall, Neil
McLeod, Davie Hassan,
Bobby Melrose, Steve
McGinty and Stevie Finnegan
crop up regularly whenever
the modern equivalent of a
drum-up happens. Many of
these cyclists, though less
well known outside of the
cycling fraternity, were top
quality international cyclists
who regularly placed well and
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As you would expect for a
city with such an illustrious
number of riders, the clubs
were also some of the best in
Britain. Clubs such as the
Glasgow Wheelers, the Ivy,
The ‘Gale and the Regent to
name a few produced a
conveyor belt of talented
cyclists.!
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Though there were a number
of races in the Green the
most high profile race at the
“Although it was a highprofile event with a relatively
large sponsorship from
Glasgow Council, at that time
"amateurs" were not allowed
cash prizes so first prize was
a full bone-china dinner-set!
and as I'd ridden out to the
Green I had to ride home to
Renfrew with said dinner-set
balanced on my bars!”. !
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The races then, as they are
today, were organised by
cycling enthusiasts from the
local clubs, with the support
of Glasgow Council who
gave their time freely to allow
these races to go ahead and
to them we all owe a debt of
gratitude. Names such as
Jim Robinson of the Glasgow
Nightingale who organised
the race for most of the
1970s and into the 1980s,
Alistair Forbes of the
Glasgow Ivy and countless
others who helped create a
piece of Glasgow cycling
folklore.!
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As well as the Glasgow
Grand Prix the Green also
played host to a number of
prestigious events and was
the starting or finishing point
of many large races over the
years. The Milk Race, the
precursor of today’s Tour of
Britain, was a regular visitor,
attracting some of the biggest
names of British cycling.
Laterally it’s been used for
the Tour of Britain and though
the weather has sometimes
not been kind this has never
put off large crowds who
have come to watch the
action.!
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However, perhaps the event
that is most fresh in all our
minds was the British Road
Championships which used
the Green as the starting and
finishing point for the race.
30,000 people lined the
streets of Glasgow to watch
Mark Cavendish and Lizzie
Armitstead win their
respective races and wear
the British champion’s jersey. !
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That brings us to 2014 and
yet again the venue will take
centre stage as the
Commonwealth Games road
race which will follow the
same route as the 2013
championships. Though our
race is much smaller in
comparison to many of these
events of the past it is worth
remembering that the Green
has been the starting point
for some of the cycling
greats, and today we get the
chance to watch the future of
our sport in this great and
historic setting. Hopefully one
day in the near future we’ll be
writing about the victories on
the world stage by some of
the young competitors
participating today in these
races and perhaps when this
race is a distant memory
there will still be stories
being told of the day they
first saw the world champion
at Glasgow Green in a cycle
race as a youth. !
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Our Friends!
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Billy Bilslands www.billybilslandcycles.co.uk !
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Billy Bilsland Cycles has
been the main Glasgow
the 1960s and 1970s. When
Billy returned to Glasgow he
Riderz sponsor since the
early days of the club and
has provided us with fantastic
support. !
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The shop is part of the fabric
of Glasgow, Scottish and
British cycling culture and
exemplifies the very best of
what a small independent
bike shop should be. It was
no surprise that it was again
voted one of the top 20 bike
shops in the UK. Neil and
Mark are both vastly
experienced and provide a
service second to none. They
are ably backed up by top
mechanics, Ally, Barry and
Thomas, helping to keep the
customers bikes in top
condition. They also offer
personal support to our more
accomplished riders.!
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The shop was started by
Neil’s dad, the legendary
professional cyclist Billy
Bilsland. Billy was a class act
and raced successfully as a
continental professional for
many years, competing in
most of the top continental
races and was the first British
rider ever to win a stage in
the Peace Race which ran in
brought a young ambitious
Glasgow cyclist under his
wing. That young cyclist was
Robert Millar. Billy helped
nurture this incredible talent
and coached him until he
went to France to become
the legend that we all now
know him as. Millar never
forgot this and was a regular
visitor to the store when he
returned to Glasgow. He also
presented the shop with an
incredible gift; a framed Tour
de France King of the
Mountains jersey. This still
hangs in the shop today and
it’s worth visiting the shop
just to see this incredible
piece of cycling memorabilia.
Recently Neil managed to
acquire Millar’s original bike
used in the Tour and this can
be seen pride of place in the
shop window. It’s a quite
sublime bike though it does
also show just how much
bike technology has
progressed since the time
when Millar was King of the
Mountains. in store you’ll find
a fantastic choice of bikes.
The shop is the only official
Cervelo dealership in
Glasgow and stocks a full
range available in any build
you choose. Cannondale’s
Bike of the Year, the Synapse
is also available along with
Focus, Ridgeback, Frog,
Whyte, and Pivot amongst
others. !
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However, not only do they
stock an impressive selection
of bikes they also have an
incredible amount of
equipment and parts in stock,
their ability to find in the
workshop, the most obscure
part is never less than
astonishing and backed up
by Neil’s encyclopaedic
knowledge of cycling and
bikes, it’s always a pleasure
to visit. So pop in and say hi
while you take advantage of
the 10% voucher on offer.!
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Siempre Bicycle Cafe http://www.siemprebicyclecafe.com
Siempre is a bicycle café.
What you may ask is a bike
cafe? Well to put it simply it
merges the very best of a
bike shop with the very best
of a cafe and adds a special
blend of ethics. They opened
in September 2012 and
quickly established
themselves both in the
Westend, it’s now hard to
imagine the community
without Siempre being part of
it, and also within the cycling
community in Glasgow. It
quickly became the first and
last stop of the traditional
Sunday run and the cafe is
usually packed with cyclists
from a number of based
Glasgow clubs. The Glasgow
Wheelers use it as the
starting point of their Sunday
run as do many non affiliated
cyclists.!
at affordable costs set to UK
standards. A business model
based on working
independently with smaller
firms to spread economic
wealth and reduce the
carbon footprint to remain
environmentally focused. A
flat financial model that
shares the company profits
with the employees based on
a co-operative style of
working, spreading economic
wealth in the community. !
community and work on a
number of social enterprise
activities and charity events
on a non-profit basis. !
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One last thing, when the sun
is shining there is no better
place to enjoy some great
food and drink than in their
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Their business focuses on
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It is run Kirsteen and Cal who
have modelled the cafe on
their own principles and
ethics, which makes the
place simply unique and
special in Glasgow.!
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They provide bikes, repair
services, clothing and food. They are passionate about
what they do and believe in
working in partnership with
local cycling clubs, hosting
events and social rides, as
well as providing training. In
addition, they also work in
partnership with the local
selling independent quality
products and services at
reasonable prices from local
independent suppliers. Their
values are based on local
sourcing by partnering with
small independent firms that
provide high quality produce
garden, a fabulous area
which seems to get the sun
(when it’s out) all day.!
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I’m sure you’ll agree it is a
privilege for us to be able
work with Siempre and help
their vision flourish. Chapeau
Siempre!!
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Big Bobble Hats http://www.bigbobblehats.co.uk!
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champion bands, the British
champion bands, the colours
of Belgium, or simply your
favourite colours.!
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Unless you’ve been avoiding
cycling over the last few
years, or never attended a
cyclocross race in Scotland
you will know Big Bobble
Hats. !
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Started by Tamara Hockey
this local company has
quickly established itself, and
if your home is anything like
ours you’ll have a collection
of these hats, all with their
own unique and brilliant
design.!
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Attend any race or cycling
event and the first thing you’ll
notice, even before the bikes
are the hats everyone from
the youngest to the oldest
seem to be wearing. If you’re
going to wear a hat, wear
one with a bobble. If you’re
going to wear a hat with a
bobble, make it a big bobble,
and if you’re going to wear a
hat with a big bobble make it
one with a multitude of cool
designs such as the World
Big Bobble hats come in
many different designs but
they have all have one thing
in common, they have
enormous bobbles making
them the de-facto head wear
for any self respecting cyclist. !
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One day soon Sven Nys will
be wearing a Big Bobble hat
on a cyclocross podium, and
remember, you heard it here
first. !
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So in summary, Big Bobble
Hats sell a range of bright
warm hats to get you noticed.
Whether you are looking for a
ski hat, a golf bobble hat, a
hat for pre and post race, or
just a warm winter hat for the
outdoors they have many
funky designs in a huge
range of bright colours.!
Whether you are
looking for a ski hat,
a golf bobble hat or
just a warm
winter hat for the
outdoors we
have many
funky designs in a
huge range of bright
colours.
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We also offer a
custom design
service where
you can design your
own Big Bobble Hat.
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Enjoy browsing the
site or designing your
own Big Bobble Hat.
They also offer a custom
design service where
you can design your own Big
Bobble Hat.!
Here at Big Bobble
Hats we sell a range
of bright warm hats
to get you noticed.
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Essentials!
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Sign On & Gear Check!
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Sign on will be located close to the Arch at the Saltmarket entrance to Glasgow Green!
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Parking!
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Glasgow Green is located in the eastern end of Glasgow city centre therefore most parking will be
metered and the city centre will be busy. Please allow lots of time to get to the Green and find
parking. There is a lot of metered street parking on Greendykes Street. However this fills up during
the day and is not cheap. !
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There is free on street parking to the east of The Peoples Palace though this is extremely limited.
There is also free on-street parking on the south side of the River Clyde.!
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There is a large car park in the St Enoch Centre as well as to the east of this. Entry is via King
Street. It is then a 5-10 minute walk to the race location.!
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Please DO NOT attempt to enter the park with your vehicle. This is strictly prohibited. Your car will
be removed and your race entry revoked without recourse. No refund will be made available under
these circumstances.!
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Other Park Users!
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Please remember that the park is used by many other people who will be there for other reasons
please be respectful to other park users and if you are riding your bike please be courteous and
give way to pedestrians!
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Warm up Areas!
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There will be ample areas to set up rollers for warm up. However, please be considerate and do
not place them where they may cause an obstruction to other park users. !
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Though there is no designated area to assemble ezi-ups we do not have a problem with these
being erected. However please be careful not damage the grass and if asked to remove it by a
park official or a race official please do as they ask.!
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Changing Area and Toilets!
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There will be limited changing area in the Clydesdale Rowing club adjacent to the course. Though
there are also toilets at the clubhouse we would recommend you use the toilets available in the
People’s Palace a 5 minute walk from the race course!
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Bike Repairs and Spares!
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Our sponsor Billy Bilsland Cycles is located on Saltmarket and is a 2 minute walk from the race
location. They stock a wide range of quality parts and will be able to help with any bike issue you
may have on the day. Neil from the shop will be on hand at the sign on area to do bike checks and
make essential repairs if required. !
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Demo Bikes!
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Billy Bilsland Cycles in conjunction with Frog bikes will be providing demo bikes for you to try on
the day. The shop has these bikes for sale and will be happy to help provide more information on
these and other bikes available for purchase.!
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Billy Bilsland Cycles 10% Off Voucher in store.!
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Billy Bilslands have kindly offered to give all entrants 10% off all purchases in store on the day. To
benefit from this fantastic offer print off your entry acceptance email and give it to the staff who will
then take 10% off any purchase.!
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This offer is only available on the day and is not available on sale items.!
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Pre Race: The Team!
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Without those below, the race could never happen. A huge thanks to all.!
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Role
Person
Chief Commissar
Graeme Kerr
Commissar
John Davies
Moto Commissar
Paul Mullen
Timing official
Sophie Warburton
Finish Line Judge
Edd Shackley
Finish Line Judge 2
Greig Scott
Finish Line Judge 3
Jim Brewer
Time keeper
Stephen Hilbourne
Finish line video
Gail Wilson
Finish Line Judge 2
Greig Scott
Sign On
Wendy Stewart
Sign On
Karen Cruden
Sign On
Neil MacDougal
Sign On
Christine Jones
Time Chip distribution
Les Thomson
Chip Remover Post Race 1
Graeme Robb
Chip Remover Post Race 2
Trish Ramsay
Gear Check 1
Neil McLeod
Gear Check 2
Scott Glasgow
Pre-Race Competitor Marshal
Seonaid Bradford
Coffee and Cakes
Jan Ziergovel & Bakers Collective
Organising Team
Sophie Warburton /Bryan Donnelly
Pre Race - Need to Know!
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Gear Check!
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Prior to the race you will need to have your gears checked to ensure they meet British Cycling
mandatory requirements. See the chart below for maximum distance allowed per age category.!
The measurement is the distance covered by one revolution of your pedals. !
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Please arrive at the gear check with your bike in the largest gear (biggest front ring + smallest back
cog). If your bike fails gear check you will need to lock out the offending gear until it is within the
distance below. There will be someone to help you with this if you are not confident doing so
yourself!
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Please note we will not be doing gear check for Youth E (Under 8)!
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Category
Restriction
Youth A
6.93m
Youth B
6.45m
Youth C
6.05m
Youth D
5.40m
Youth E
5.10m
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Once your bike has passed gear check you will be given a ticket to take to sign on to confirm your
bike has passed.!
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Sign On!
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We will be running a staggered sign on. Please do not try to sign on until your race allocated time
shown in the table below. This is to help us make sure that we can process each race quickly and
ensure the process is as easy and fast as possible.!
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Please have your gear check pass and British Cycling License ready. !
If you do not have a race license you will be required to buy a day race license as per BC
regulations, these will cost £1.50.!
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Please note that if you do not have a race license or have BC membership the first year
membership is free for all under 16s and a race license is free until you are a Junior (under
18). Therefore, we would strongly recommend you call British Cycling before the race. They
will email you a temporary license immediately.!
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At Sign-on the official will take your license which will be kept for the duration of the race. You must
return after your race to receive it back at the end.!
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You will also be given a number with safety pins. There will be an image at sign-on to advise the
correct position of your race number. !
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We are lucky to have the use of Scottish Cycling electronic timing system. This requires that a
transponder is attached to the right hand fork of your bike with two cable ties. Both the transponder
and cable ties will be provided as part of the sign on process.!
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The transponder should be attached to the right hand fork and as low as possible.!
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Please note that there will be a £30 charge for any lost transponders. To ensure this does
not happen please attach your transponder to your bike as soon as possible and make sure
that you give it back at the post-race collection point once your race is over.!
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Before Your Race!
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Before your race starts you will be asked to come to the designated muster point. This will be
highlighted on the day. If you are in any doubt please ask an official on the day. You will be
expected to be there at least 5 minutes before the time of your race starts.!
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Times!
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Race
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Sign on Opens
Sign on Closes
Race Start
Race Duration
Youth E
11.30
12.00
12.30
10 mins + 1 lap
Youth D
11.50
12.20
12.50
10 mins + 1 lap
Youth C
12.15
12.45
13.15
15 mins + 2 laps
Youth B Boys
12.45
13.15
13.45
25 mins + 3 laps
Youth A/B Girls
13.25
13.55
14.25
25 mins + 3 laps
Youth A Boys
13.45
14.40
15.10
30 mins + 3 laps
The Race!
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The Course!
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There will be two courses on the day. See the detailed map of the course at the end of the manual.!
The Youth E, D, and C will be on a reduced course which will round the Nelson Monument rather
than using the eastern section of the course that runs close to the People’s Palace.!
Youth A and B will race on the full course.!
Each race will have a Moto Comms !
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Gridding!
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Each race will be gridded based on the results of the race held at Ingliston last week. The top 8
from each boys and girls race will be called to the front before the start of their respective race.!
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Retirements!
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Should any riders wish to retire from the race, they must report to a Commissaire or finishing judge
immediately. Please do not ride in the opposite direction to the race.!
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Crashes & Mechanical Incidents!
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Riders will be allowed one lap out for Crashes or Mechanical incidents and must report to the pit
area to take their lap out. The pit areas will be immediately before the start finish line. Any rider not
returning to the pits will be placed one lap down. Laps out are only permitted until 5 laps to go.
Riders must complete the course to take their lap out. Any rider taking a short cut back to the pit
area will be relegated. Riders must get back to the pits before the bunch passes the rider otherwise
that is their lap out gone. (Tech Reg. 20.3.3)!
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First Aid!
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There will be a number of qualified first aiders on hand during the event. if you require assistance
please seek an official who will be able to direct you to the closest first aider.!
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The Course!
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The course is 1.4km long and is ridden clockwise. The Start/ Finish line is located close to the
Rowing clubhouse on the Clyde. The pits are located just before the finish line.!
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The course map can be found at the end of the manual.!
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Post Race!
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Timing chips and Entrant gift bags!
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At the end of your race you will be presented with a gift bag. Every participant in each race will
receive one. To receive this you must first return your timing chip to the marshals collecting them at
the end of your race.!
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Prize Giving!
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To recognise the achievement of the top three in each race, a podium presentation will take place
for boys and girls. That is, where a race is mixed this will effectively be two races in one. One race
for the Boys and one race for the Girls.!
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The approximate time for presentations are as follows!
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Age Category
Time
Youth E!
Youth D!
Youth C
15.00
Youth B Boys!
Youth A/B Girls!
Youth A Boys
16.20
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