Once you’ve got the road racing bug, the British Cycling Race Calendar will probably become your favourite website.

Events are category specific, though there are many women’s ‘E/1/2/3/4’ races, that any rider with a license can enter.

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Entering E/1/2/3/4 races will mean you’ll be racing against some very experienced riders. This can be a good way to learn, but you might find yourself watching the strongest women from afar as they lap the field! Category 3/4 races might be more comfortable.

Crits vs Open Road

Most people start out racing criteriums – these are held on closed road, purpose designed cycle tracks such as Cyclopark in Kent. Crit races take place all over the country, and it’s likely there will be a circuit near you.

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Crit races are usually around an hour, and take place over multiple laps – usually with a lap board counting you down. When you pass the board, and hear a bell being rung, that means the lap you are just beginning is the last (so if you can, try and get a breather and prepare for the sprint).

When you’ve done a few crits, you might want to start looking at open road races – these are often over longer distances, and though crit circuits do have ups and downs, you’re more likely to encounter hills, rough surfaces, gravel and everything else natural terrain throws at you.

Criteiums are hard, fast and quick affairs – they suit riders who can work close to their maximum heart rate for the hour, and fast twitch muscle riders who can put in attacks and go with those that other riders throw at them. Road races will vary with the terrain, but being longer, endurance is more important.