Congratulations to all those that took part a the Army Cycling Union Sporting Club Ten Mile Time Trial on Wed 16 June at Wickham.
Here are the results and some great photos from the day.
The next ACU TT will be on Wed 21 Jul at Castle Combe race circuit and is being hosted by the REME, more details to follow soon.
The first Event to receive approval in the ACMTBXC Series is due to take place on Wed 26 May at Carver Brks, Wimbish.
This is going to be an awesome event open to all Regular and Reserve ACU Members. You must register and submit your Self-declaration form online ahead of the event, please click on the following link: https://cycling.armysportcontrolboard.com/series/acmtbxc-series/
For full Admin Instructions please visit the event page on Defence Connect here
The next race in the ACU eRacing Inter-Corps Championship is due to take place on Wednesday 19 May 21.
For more details and the full Admin Instruction please follow the Defence Connect link: https://jive.defencegateway.mod.uk/docs/DOC-575154?sr=stream
It is with regret that we must inform you that the ACMTBXC Series 21 – Round 2, which was due to take place on 28 April 21 in Exeter, has been cancelled.
Inter-Service eRacing Championships
Well done to all who took part, an amazing effort by all, with the Army Team winning overall, and especially the Army ladies for taking the 3 top individual positions.
The recent Army Cycling eRace Series (ACeRS) 2021 has been extremely popular bringing in a total of 460 Unique riders across the series.
The following are 1st, 2nd and 3rd of the age categories and other minor categories:
Please click on the following link to see the full results on Defence Connect: https://jive.defencegateway.mod.uk/docs/DOC-552101
ACeRS Stats
The series largest race was on the 10 Feb with 286 riders taking part, with 460 unique riders taking part across the series, 57 of which were women. The rider ages stretched from 21 to 70 years old, with over 5000 views of the live streams.
The last race of the series on the 24 Mar 2021 celebrated the ACU and SSAFA charity partnership launch, here are a few photographs of our members taking part and supporting SSAFA.
8 Aug 20
Dear ACU Members,
RETURN TO CYCLING
You will all appreciate that we have been restricted in our cycling activities over the last few months however the Committee has been extremely busy ensuring that our membership can remain active, particularly on Zwift and Strava, which is producing some excellent results and competition. Time-Trial racing was authorised by Army HQ via the Army Sports Control Board (ASCB) on 17 July and the Committee are examining all the available options to return to all Cycling disciplines within British Cycling (BC) guidance and the Army Force Health Protection (FHP) measures.
Competitive Cycling & Training.
The ACU committee will shortly be requesting the lifting of the suspension for MTB Downhill, MTB Enduro, BMX and CX. For all representative sport, this decision lies with Army HQ via the ASCB. Please note that Cycling at Unit level and below remains a Unit CoC and individual responsibility.
At present the Army Cycling MTB XC Series remains a ‘Strava club’ activity only however, subject to ASCB authority, the committee do plan to deliver at least one AC MTBXCS race in the Autumn in line with BC event guidance.
Whilst the Army Cycling Road Race Series continues virtually on Zwift, the committee are looking at the options to hold a race on a closed circuit (likely to be in the TT discipline); the ACU committee will reconvene in September and a further update will follow.
Unfortunately, we are unlikely to return to ‘mass-start’ racing for the foreseeable future due to the associated risks of riding in a peloton. BC have already announced that there will be no National level racing this season. The Single Services have confirmed that there will be no Inter Service level racing in any discipline until the 2021 season (less virtual).
Corps and Unit Team Training. Corps representatives and Unit OiCs are to note the following:
And for those ACU members who intend to race at local club events, please ensure that you follow the strict Covid-19 protocols that are displayed on the club websites and in Race Event Instructions.
Finally, the threat of COVID-19 and the risk of infection remains. If you are not well or showing signs of COVID-19 then please do not attend any local club or team event.
ACU Executive Committee
In line with the recent update from British Cycling [here] we have extended the suspension of all ACU Race activity until 1 Aug 20; furthermore we will not return to outdoor racing until the Army CoC via the Army Sports Control Board announce a return to Army Sport.
In the mean-time, the ACU committee will be planning our return to Cycling in line with ASCB advice and direction. It is possible that the racing format in some of the disciplines, for example, outdoor individual time-trial events, may return sooner than others if appropriate measures can be put in place to manage the risk in line with BC guidance and ASCB direction. In all cases we will carefully consider the options available including reasonable measures that can be introduced to manage the safety of the events, our soldiers participating and our volunteers.
We appreciate that these are challenging times for many; we want to reassure everyone that our overriding principle is to work within BC guidelines and ASCB direction to respect the safety of our personnel and the wider public. Thank you for your continued support; despite the significant effects of the pandemic and the resulting lockdown here are some of our recent successes:
Stay safe remain alert,
Chair ACU
The Army Cycling Union Executive Committee has agreed to suspend all Army Cycling activities until at least 30 April; this is in line with direction from our NGB, British Cycling. We have taken this decision in order to take all necessary steps to protect the health and wellbeing of riders and event organisers. Furthermore, this is line with the Government’s direction on social distancing. The immediate impact will be on Ex WELSH EPIC, ACRRS Round One and ACMTBXC Series Rounds One and Two, all of which will be cancelled. Where possible the ACRRS and ACMTBXCS events will be re-scheduled
We know that this will be a disappointment to many and we ask that you continue to pull together (albeit virtually) during this difficult time. We will do our best to get you back on the roads and trails as soon as it is safe to do so. In the mean-time, why not sign-up to a watt-bike league or use the ever popular Zwift app if you are unlucky enough to be confined to your home, we are sure there will be volunteers out there who are willing to organise such events.
This does not stop unit cycling in the Army when used as a specific activity that contributes to operational capability under the chain of command’s authority and direction; and, leaves the onus on the chain of command to ensure compliance with safe-place / safe-activity principles for training after conducting the appropriate risk assessments.
Further direction and guidance will be provided mid-April, and as and when the situation improves.
We are proud to announce the Army Cyclocross Team for 2020/2021 season! Congratulations to all those selected.
