Guidelines to Competitors in Club Time Trials

This is mainly for new riders, but even some of the more experienced riders need reminding occasionally.

Before the event:

• If you travel to the event by car please consider local residents when parking. Again, complaints could lead to us losing courses. Also please don't park your car at the finish where the timekeepers or other support vehicles need to be. The timekeepers have to synchronise watches at the start and then move to the finish, which is where riders expect to find them.
• A rear-facing red LED light is highly recommended, whether flashing or constant. In shady or poor conditions motorists can easily miss seeing a cyclist.
• A hard shell helmet to an approved standard is recommended. This is compulsory for under-18 competitors.
• Clothing is optional, but the CTT stipulate that bare shoulders (ie Triathlon style) are not permitted in open events.
• Please wear your number low down, ideally below waist level. If you wear it too high (like a footballer) it can't be seen when you're bent over the bars, sprinting at the finish.
• CTT rules require all competitors to sign-on before every event and to wear a number when competing. Failure to sign-on or display a number could put the club and yourself in a difficult position if an accident occurs.
• Please try to avoid crossing the finishing line when warming up. On some courses this is sometimes unavoidable, in which case signal to the timekeepers if not actually competing. It's sometimes difficult to distinguish whether riders are racing or warming up when viewed head-on.

During:

• At the start riders should be in position a couple of minutes before their start time. Make sure you are in the correct gear (thus avoiding dropping a chain!). Most people clip their feet in at 30 secs to go. Although the support person holding you upright is known as a "pusher-off" don't expect to be pushed literally. If you are marginally late for your start you must come to a complete stop, rolling starts are not permitted.
• Be aware that other road users may misjudge the speed of a competitor in a time trial and due allowance should be made - allow for the worst.
• Don't have arguments with other road users, even if you feel they're in the wrong. It can reflect on the club, leading to possible complaints to the police. Remember we require police approval to run time trials on public roads.
• If you're overtaken by another competitor the onus is on you to drop back at least 10 yards (the CTT recommend 50 yards), particularly if both of you are riders of similar ability. "Drafting" is not allowed under CTT rules and can lead to a DQ.
• As a rule keep as near to your left hand side as possible when competing. Many riders drift to the centre so that vehicles can't overtake and become very frustrated. We sometimes have motorist's stop and complain to the timekeepers when they've been held up. Remember, the average 'Top Gear' motorist hates cyclists and can't distinguish between a safety issue and just being briefly delayed.
• Some courses incorporate U-turns at roundabouts. Make a clear hand signal and if the road is clear move to the right of the carriageway in good time.
• For some strange reason some riders find it necessary to 'brush' close to the timekeepers at the finish. One day that could lead to a nasty accident.
• It helps to call out your number as you cross the finishing line. Remember rider's numbers sometimes get obscured or partially unpinned, so they can't always be read.
• Take great care with U-turns near to the start or finish - other traffic will not be expecting it.

After the event:

• Most riders are anxious to find their times after a time trial, but congestion around the timekeepers at the finish has led the club to bring a new rule to reduce this problem. The rule reads as follows:
• In the interests of safety and fairness to all competitors, once an event has started no competitor or their representative will be allowed to approach the timekeeper. Competitors recorded times will be made available once the last competitor has finished the event. It must be remembered that these are provisional times only. Official results will be posted on the Rugby RCC website as soon as practicable after the event."
• As a rule the timekeepers will not leave the finish until all riders have been accounted for. Obviously riders' priorities change if they have a problem, but it would help to send a message back so the timekeepers know you're OK. We have a club mobile phone which is switched on during events, so if you have a problem you can let us know. You may like to save the number which is: 07761 084 794
• Insurance: £1 of your entry fee in club time trials goes to the CTT, with a significant proportion towards the CTT's 3rd party insurance. However, to keep cost to a minimum this is a contingency insurance (ie a reserve) which only applies when there is no other cover (ie personal or house insurance). In the light of this you may wish to review your own insurance cover.

First & Second Claim Membership:

• Most cycling and athletics clubs operate a system known as first & second claim membership to enable people to hold membership of more than one club at the same time. First Claim membership defines your prime club. You can only be a first claim member of one club and you can only enter open events in the name of that club.
• Second Claim membership arises when you join one or more other clubs in order to participate in their events or activities. Clearly when involved in that club's events you must abide by their rules, even if they are at variance with those of any other club you may belong to. Some clubs do not admit second claim members.
• When competing in an open event you are expected to wear the registered colours of your first claim club, or failing that something neutral. It would be out of order to wear the colours of a second claim club in an open event and you may be prevented from competing by the start timekeeper. The same applies in open events if you wear a 'trade' top which carries a logo or advertising which is not registered by your club with the CTT.
• Records set in events of the club which hold your first claim membership, or in open events, would normally be recognised by that club. If you set any records when competing as a second claim member these may or may not be recognised by that club, dependent on their rules.
• If you apply to join a club as a second claim member you must make that clear in your application. If you wish to convert your membership status from first to second claim most clubs require you to resign and reapply. Certainly Rugby RCC require this (Rule 3.6).
• There is a CTT rule which restricts people from switching their first claim club more than once in a calendar year. This was brought in to prevent riders switching teams several times during a season.