To race in any British Cycling race (which is almost all of them) you’ll need a British Cycling Membership and a Race License.

To get your race license, you’ll need to be riding for a club that is accredited by British Cycling. Being part of a cycling club gives you instant access to group riding practice on club runs, and a wealth of knowledge and experience, so it is well worth getting involved.

Women’s Cycling Clubs: Are they the Way Forward?

The license is £36 for most adults, but your British Cycling Membership does come with a provisional version – which allows you to race a couple of events before paying up.

You won’t be able to get any points with your ‘P’ plates on – so if you plan to win your first race you best get a full license first!

Categories 

Your first license will be a Fourth Category license. To move up to Third Category, you need to pick up 12 points during one year long season. To move to Second Category, you need 40 points, and so on, right up to Elite Category, where you need 300.

Once you get your Third Cat license, you’ll never be demoted back to Fourth, but above that you need to get enough points each season to maintain your position.

You get points for your placing in a race, and the number of point will vary depending upon the rank of the race.