Hidden Valley Handicap - Darwin Cycling Club Championships

The Hidden Valley Handicap is a road race-style event held on an extended 5.7km lap of the Hidden Valley Raceway and includes the ascent of a hill each lap.

This event is traffic free and spectator friendly with a great vantage point at the top of the hill.

Handicapping: Prior to the race, organizers assess the skill levels of each participant. Factors such as previous race performance, cycling experience, and fitness levels may be considered. Cyclists with higher skill levels or better records may be assigned a later start time or longer distance, while less experienced or skilled riders may start earlier or ride a shorter distance.

Staggered Starts: The race begins with participants starting at intervals, with the slower or less experienced cyclists starting first. The time gaps between the start of each participant are designed to account for the perceived differences in their abilities. The idea is that, theoretically, all participants will finish at approximately the same time if they perform at their best.

Chasing and Catching: As the race progresses, faster cyclists try to catch up with and overtake those who started ahead of them. This creates an exciting dynamic as participants not only compete against each other but also against the clock. The first cyclist to complete their designated number of laps and cross the finish line will be crowned Club Champion.

Please advise of your riding speed during checkout, Handicap and grades on the day will depend on the number and make up of entries.

Each Participant will be grouped into one of the grades, this will determine the number of laps you will complete. Your handicap will then be calculated based on number of laps and expected avg speed. Every participant will ride for approx. 60-70 minutes.

Grades

A grade men: 8 laps (46 km)

B grade men / A grade women: 6 or 7 laps (35-40 km)

C grade men / B grade women: 6 laps (35 km)

D grade men / C grade women: 5 laps (29 km)

Timings

06.15am: sign on opens

06.45am: race brief

07.00am: first rider will start

 

 

All participants require an AusCycling race licence, however free trials and lower cost one and seven day licences are available from $44.

4 week free trial: https://www.auscycling.org.au/membership/other/free-trial

one/seven day event licence: https://www.auscycling.org.au/membership/other/event-licences A one day licence must be purchased the day before the event.

Race licence: https://www.auscycling.org.au/membership. 

All participants are required to show their race membership at sign-on. Please have proof of your race membership when you get your race numbers, whether this is a physical membership card, on your phone wallet app or an old-fashioned paper copy. It must include proof that it's a Race Membership (i.e. not Ride) and include an expiry date.