Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Cairns Cycling Club about?
The club is primarily a cycle sport orientated club, whose constitution states its object as, “to foster the sport of cycling”. It primarily operates as a racing club covering the disciplines of road and track racing.
What affiliations does the club have?
The club is affiliated with state, national, and international administrative bodies for cycle racing. The state body is the Queensland Cyclists Association, (otherwise known as Cycling Queensland, or CQ), the national body is the Australian Cycling Federation, (otherwise known as Cycling Australia, or CA) and international body is the Union Cycliste Internationale, (otherwise known as the UCI, or in English the International Cycling Union).
Do I have to be a member to race?
Yes, you do have to hold a racing licence in order to race. This is required by the laws of the governing bodies we are affiliated with, and our insurers.
What do I need to do to join?
There are a number of membership options available. Membership is gained though filling in an application form and the payment of membership fees. The level of fee depends upon your age and membership status. The club’s portion of the fee is $27, with the remaining money going to the administering bodies.

Contact the club for further information on membership options and fees.

What does membership give me?
Holding a racing licence allows you to race in club events, open events (where members of other clubs will also race), as well as invitational, regional and championship events for which you may be eligible, and that are sanctioned by the appropriate governing bodies.

It also provides a degree of insurance cover while competing in sanctioned events, and during appropriate structured training. The conditions of insurance cover may change from time to time, and should be checked as appropriate.

What other costs are involved?
Each time you race there will be a nomination fee. For club races this is $15 for online registrations, and $20 for on the day registration. Track racing is $10 for adults and $5 for junior competitors.
What sort of racing does the club provide?
There are a number of types of racing conducted by the club. Typically the year is divided into road and track seasons.

Track racing

Track racing is held at the club’s facility located at Smith Park, Keeble St, Manunda. The track racing season typically runs from October to March or April, though racing though the rest of the year is held at times. During the track season, racing is typically held weekly (weather permitting). Check the calendar for race dates and times of track meets.

Road racing

Road racing is held on various courses around the region. The road season typically runs from March to September, and sees weekend road racing currently being criterium racing held fortnightly. Raod Racing permits have been difficult to achieve of the last 12 months with the Queensland Police Service reluctant to issue permits due to uncertainty in how to police the recently trails ‘safe clearance’ of 1 metre rule. Discussions are on going in this area and developments will be forth coming when at hand. Criteriums (racing on a short street circuit), scratch racing on the road (everyone in a division starting together), handicap racing (slower riders starting with a time advantage over faster riders), and the occasional time trial (racing alone against the clock).

Do I need a special bike?
You will need a bike suitable for the type of racing you plan to do. These must comply with the requirements set out under the rules of cycle racing. In brief, bikes must comply with the following requirements.

Track bikes must have a triangular frame, be fixed wheel (while the bike is moving the pedals are turning) and must not have any brakes.

Road bikes must have a triangular frame, and will have gears and brakes. Handlebars must be your typical curved racing type, and bar ends must be plugged. Aero bars are not allowed apart from in time trials where they must meet certain requirements.

Above is a basic rundown of the requirements, and more detailed information can be supplied upon request. Typically though, any road racing type bike will comply with the requirements, while track bikes are purpose built for this duty.

I'm not sure if I'm good enough to race. How do I know?
The club typically runs graded races, where riders are divided into different groups according to their ability. We obviously can’t accommodate all abilities, but our senior racing includes riders from older junior categories, through to riders in their sixties, and older. We also conduct racing for junior competitors.

The club has coaches and other officials that can assist you in understanding where you may fit, and provide advice. Feel free to contact us through this website.

Don’t feel disheartened if you have a go and can’t keep up. Even quite physically fit people can have trouble at first. Often it is not base fitness that is the problem, but rather not being used to a faster speed, and the need to gain confidence in what you are doing. Competing in a few races usually sees most reasonably fit newcomers getting into the swing of things fairly quickly.

Are there any dangers involved?
Riding a bicycle at speed and in a group has some inherent risks. Crashes can occur, but are not particularly common. Racing on public roads also has some risks in dealing with other road users.

Riders competing in club events are required to be aware of there surroundings, mindful of other road users, and comply with the appropriate road rules, conditions of our racing permits issued by the police, and the rules and policies of the club.

I have never done this before, can I get some help to get going?
We would advise any new rider to become familiar with the basic rules of cycling, the road rules as they apply to cycling, and basic knowledge and skills for riding in a bunch. We can provide assistance in gaining these skills and knowledge.

We can also provide advice and assistance in a number of areas related to cycling and cycle racing. There is nothing to be scared of in this, and once you have gained these skills and knowledge it will open a new dimension on your cycling.

What about coaching?
The club membership includes coaches who can assist riders looking for advice on how to improve their training.
Does the club conduct training rides or sessions?

The club itself does not typically conduct training rides or sessions. However some coaches within the club do. There are group rides occurring regularly in the area that riders can join. These are a good way to learn the ettique of group riding.

‘I think I might be good at this! What opportunities are there to go further in the sport?’

The answer to this question really depends upon who you are. There are numerous events in Queensland and around Australia that you could compete in, including annual regional, state and National championship events that cater for all age groups.

At the elite level, some of our members have represented Australia, won National and World championships, and competed at a professional level including riding in the Tour de France and other top events.

Will I be expected to make a contribution to the club?

The club functions on the contribution of members, and as such there is an expectation that members will contribute to the running of the club commensurate with their usage of club services. This can be as simple as assisting at a road race by being a marshal.