In this file we attempt to answer any questions you may have about club activities. To help you with your search for answers in the Norwood cycling world please click any one of the following links

Coaching at Norwood Cycling Club by our Club Coach Dave Gomer

Club Captain - Chris Luxton's File

Club Coach - Dave Gomer's Race Report File

Find fellow club member training partners via various training rides

Links to Cycling Australia web sites
Cycling Australia
Cycling South Australia

Frequently Asked Questions

Q Is there a racing season?
A The criterium season runs from beginning of October till the end of March. Races depending on the grade vary from 25 mins – 50 mins. The road season runs from April till September. Races vary from 34kms in some races for E grade to 100 kms in A grade.

Q What is the average speed of each grade in the Crits?
E A grade – 45 km/h, B – 40, C – 37, D – 35, E – 32

Q Where is the Victoria Park Criterium circuit located?
A On Wakefield Rd in the City (Adelaide). It can also be reached via Fullarton Rd at Rose Park. Currently parking is available via the first gate off Wakefield Rd (southern side about 100 metres in a Westerly direction from the Britannia Roundabout)

Q Do you have training rides?
A There are several rides available; see link to rides page at the top of this page.

Q Is there a club coach?
A Our club coach is Dave Gomer; there is no fee for this. He is happy to help club riders enjoy there racing.

Q How do I get a licence?
A Please see the Join Us page of this site

Q How do I know which grade I will be in?
A Bill Drodge, the State/Club handicapper will make a judgement for your first race. New riders: on your level of fitness, any previous type of riding etc i.e. Triathlete, or do you ride/train with anyone who is currently racing. This can be used as a guide to where to start. Past Riders: Previous results i.e. past performance and reputation, taking into account your current level of fitness. Bill is always open to receiving feedback, and or discussion about what a rider’s ambitions are. Your grade will be adjusted during the season based on your results.

Q Besides the licence are there any other expenses?
E Each race nomination fee varies. Norwood Cycling Club criterium races are $20.

A General introduction to cycle racing in South Australia/Australia.

How to prepare your bike
There are no special preparation requirements for road racing. It is mandatory to wear a helmet certified to Australian Safety Standards and for your bike to be mechanically sound, but that’s about it. Special wheels, handlebars and other aerodynamic devices are only allowed in Time Trial events and are optional. Some restricted gearing rules apply to Juniors.

What is Road Racing?
Road Racing is about competing in races against other cyclists on sealed roads over various times or distances in and around Adelaide and various country areas all year. Your Cycling Australia licence also entitles you to race in any Cycling Australia organised event throughout Australia. Visit the Cycling Australia web site for details of events in other states

Graded Events: Riders are Graded by a Handicapper who places riders in Grades (A, B, C, D or E) according to the rider’s ability. Grading facilitates closer competition.

Handicaps: Some events are raced as Handicaps i.e. all riders are given a handicap mark which is a time (in minutes) that riders of various abilities start in front of the Scratchmen (the best riders) This system allows all riders to compete on an even basis N.B. Novice riders start well before experienced riders.

Categories: In cycling an adult is defined as 19 years and over, and Masters Divisions commence from 30yrs. Generally there is no Gender distinction except in Championships which are raced in Gender and Age Categories.
Juniors have age Categories i.e. Under 11, U/13, U/15, U/17 and U/19’s who race in the Open Category except for State Championships.
NCC caters for riders of all ages and abilities so you don’t have to be the fittest person on the planet to get started in cycling. NCC is affiliated with CyclingSA which is the parent body of Cycling in SA.
CSA have a very active Junior program and the SA Institute of Sport (SASI) have an excellent Talent ID cycling program which is dedicated to finding and developing young riders with talent.

When, where and how often can I race? Summer: During ‘Daylight Saving’ months the majority of events raced are ìCriteriums. Riders compete in Graded races for line honours around carefully marshalled short road circuits. Riders who win or who are regularly placed are Re-graded. NCC conducts Graded Crits on Tuesday evenings at the new Victoria Park circuit (the non road section of the Clipsal 500 track) from 6pm (register by 5:30pm) NCC also hold 2 major Criterium events in Adelaide around Whitmore Square and the club Criterium championships will be held at Regency Park (during Clipsal 500 time). See event calendar for more details. You can expect to find 20-30 other riders racing against you in your Grade every week. Winter: Sees the race distances increase as we move to longer circuits in and around the Adelaide Hills and in Berri and Burra where Norwood conduct two of the richest Road Races in SA. Road racing presents riders with a different set of challenges i.e. flat roads, hills and longer distances 40-120ks depending on your Grade. Most races are held on Saturday afternoons but Berri & Burra are 2 day events which offer fantastic racing and a great opportunity to socialise with family, friends and fellow riders. Time trials are also run. These take place on circuit and out-and-back courses, on a strictly individual basis. Special rules apply to these events allowing for different wheels and bars.

Track Racing: Your Norwood Cycling Club membership also entitles you to race at any track in Australia including the Adelaide SuperDrome and the Edwardstown Velodrome. Come and try nights are regularly provided for new riders and track bikes can be provided. (Similar to a road bike but with only a single gear and brakes are not required). There is a strong race program available. To see the details visit the Cycling SA web site Events section

Prizes Riders compete for Prize money and prizes. These are generally presented after the racing finishes. Whilst most riders like the thrill of winning a prize all enjoy the challenge, fun and the long time friendships that are established just by competing.

How do I register to race? NCC’s racing is controlled through State and National bodies, Cycling SA & Cycling Australia, who grant the licenses to individuals to compete, and provides them with Public Liability and Personal Accident cover. Every individual must be a financial member of an Affilliated racing Club. The biggest, most popular and active Club in South Australia is Norwood Cycling Club (NCC). The easiest way to start racing is to come to a NCC Club meeting or a race meeting (No need to bring any special documentation or photos) complete the paperwork and pay your fees and every effort is made to have you competing in the next event.See Join Us page for full details. Cycling SA and NCC are committed to ensuring that everyone races in a safe, professional environment. Bad behaviour is not tolerated and Cycling Rules give Officials the power to deal with this problem.

What to wear when racing To maintain a professional image, riders must race in Club clothing or other officially registered apparel. The good news is that NCC has the best looking Club clothing which is readily available. This builds great Club spirit and you will look great too. Riders are permitted to wear plain clothing until they get NCC or an officially registered Sponsors uniform. The wearing of Trade Team uniforms is not permitted as are jerseys without sleeves.