Cycling News

In line with the recent update from British Cycling here we have extended the suspension of all ACU Race activity until further notice; 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.

Lt Col (Retd) NIM Barton
Gen Sec ACU

For Chairman ACU

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:

• The ASCB will only authorise a return to representative ‘training’ once that particular discipline has been authorised to recommence by Army HQ (e.g. Corps team ‘training’ for Time-Trial can now be planned and authority requested via the ASCB).
• COs can authorise unit level training for all disciplines.
• COs must only authorise fixtures for those disciplines that have been authorised to recommence by Army HQ.

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:

• Our membership renewals have almost reached pre-lockdown levels [if you are one of those have not yet renewed please do so here https://www.armycycling.org/how-to-join
• The ACRRS Wed series on Zwift has been an overwhelming success and we thank all the volunteers, participants and supporters for making this a real community platform that is reaching out to our soldiers and veteran members across the country and abroad.  If you’ve not yet engaged with Zwift have a look at the latest live-streamed footage on the Army Cycling facebook page and share with your family and friends; https://www.facebook.com/armycycling/.  Why not watch the next race live on Wed 3 June at 1600 hrs.
• Four members of the Army team across four disciplines have been nominated by the committee for the Talented Athlete Scholarship Scheme (TASS); we wish them the best of luck at the Board in June.

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 are proud to announce the Army Cyclocross Team for 2020/2021 season! Congratulations to all those selected.

The last races of the 2019/20 season have taken place it has been a great year for the team, to summarise here is a few stats for the team

Men’s Road ACRT are delighted to announce the teams official overseas winter training camp will be held at and hosted by Oodles Retreat.

Oodles Retreat is in a prime location with spectacular scenery and a combination of flat and mountainous terrain, an excellent road network, and a real paradise for any cycling team.