Berwick Wheelers Cycling Club

Berwick Wheelers was formed in 1988, giving the eastern Borders and north Northumerland area its first cycling club since the demise of the Tweedside Cycling and Athletic Club some 20 years previous.

Berwick-Upon-Tweed is an ancient walled town with a history of violence perpetrated against it by both the Scots and the English, having changed hands no less than thirteen times between 1147 and 1482, when it finally became attached to the English crown. It is the most Northerly town in England lying farther north than the Scottish town of Lanark, and has a distinct air of independence about it.

Several of the towns sports clubs operate in leagues on the Scottish side of the border, notably Berwick Rangers football Club and Berwick Rugby Club. Berwick Wheelers likewise, is affiliated to the Scottish Cyclists Union, having joined in 1992, carrying on a tradition set by the old Tweedside Cycling and Athletic Club.

Membership is drawn from both sides of the border. Club Time Trials are held on the quiet roads in Berwickshire and are ideal for safely introducing young riders to the sport. For those who like hills, there are plenty of short, stiff, climbs to be tackled in the nearby Lammermuirs and Cheviots hills.

Berwick Wheelers has a strong tradition of time trialling. Its members compete in open events throughout England and Scotland during the season. The club also operates its own Time Trial Series and league on thursday evenings from April to mid September. We try to organise an 'Open' Time Trial Event every year, and also have members that compete in APR?s and Road Races across the country. These are generally open events and are found on the Brittish Cycling or CTT web sites.

For a small club, Berwick Wheelers has a good record in SCU championship events, having won two individual gold, eight silver, two bronze and three team gold medals as well as breaking SCU competition team records at 10, 25, and 50 miles time trial events.

Social rides within the club are generally organised via e-mail or the forum and can change from week to week.

The rides are an important part of life in the club. They are organised, steady paced, and cover a distance between 30 & 50 miles (2 to 3 hours cycling time), depending on the group and weather conditions. They take place on Saturday and Sunday mornings in the winter months and usually Tuesday evening in the summer. All club time trials events are held on Thursday evenings at 7pm.

You've seen it on the TV and wonder what's it all about? So hear's a rough guide to one of the best, and competitive sports you can get on the road...

An Indivdual Time Trial (ITT) is a road bicycle race in which the rider races over a given distance against the clock on their own. In french 'Contre la montre' literally means "against the watch". Time Trials are also referred to as "the race of truth" as the finishing time will only depend on the riders strenth, determination, and endurance, over the distance being raced. The starting times are at equal intervals (just like a car rally), usually one minute apart. The starting sequence is useally based on the results of the previous races with the strongest riders starting last. The rider with the quickest time from the race is declared the winner.

At Berwick Wheelers (BW), the aim for each rider is to beat their previous times an thus set a new personal best (or PB) for that distance. Most time trials are held on a fairly flat course, and there are also hilly/mountain time trials as well as uphill or climbing events.

It dose'nt matter what you ride as it's all about 'you' cycling against the clock!

Allthough a road bicycle is much better than a full-on mountain bike for these kind of events, there are specialized aerodynamic frames, bars, wheels, and helmets to suit all abilities and budgets. These are designed to make the most of the riders efforts in overcomming aerodynamic drag, all of which can be obtained from any good bike shop.

Time Trials and road racing are also a fantastic way to get and keep fit. As well as being one of the fastest growing sports in the UK, it's also one of the few sports that can exercise every muscle in your body.

The sense of achievement you can get at the end of a race is fantastic! (especialy if you've achieved a new PB time).

In this age where most people spend more and more time in front of computer or TV screens (be it at work or at home), Berwick Wheelers can offer you a chance to get outside, on your bike, and ride it as fast as your abillity will alow you to...

All riders must wear a safty helmet.

Head fairings are not allowed.

In competitions, numbers shall be worn at all times and called out by the rider as he/she crosses the finish line. 

Riders must obey the rules of the road at all times, and take extra care when making a U-turn in the road.

In a time trial competitors must ride alone and unassisted.

A rider being overtaken must immediately drop back about 50 yards (10 meters) on being caught before attempting to re-pass. Also riders must not race side-by-side during an event , as any offender may be disqualified... 

All riders who have finished must keep clear of the time keepers whilist the event is in progress.

And most important of all - Have fun and enjoy...