What is Cycle Speedway

Short & Sharp: Cycle Speedway must be a contender for the title of most intense cycle sport. Races are short – usually four laps of an outdoor 70-90 metre circuit, lasting around 35-40 seconds – and physical contact is both legal and often necessary. Four riders contest a race from opposing clubs.

Team Sport: Cycle Speedway is both a club and an individual sport, with inter-club matches within leagues the mainstay of the sport. Each match normally consists of between sixteen and twenty races! There are also individual championships, including a World Championship and some inter-country series, including regular “Ashes” contests between England and Australia. At Kesgrave we travel all over the UK competing in Team and Individual events, Kesgrave has one of the biggest & best junior teams in the UK and won the British U10 Team Championship in 2007 on their first ever attempt.

The Riders: Top riders are explosive sprinters – but they also have stamina to enable them to keep going through a long match. Skill levels are high with slick starting, cornering and passing techniques essential. Strength is also required during contact with other riders.

The Bikes: Cycle Speedway Bikes are as simple as BMX or Track bikes – there are no gears, brakes, brackets, etc. Frames are often converted from mountain-bikes. Clothing is pretty conservative – most riders cover themselves from the neck down to protect against falls – and, of course, a helmet must be worn. Contact is expected, so many riders wear additional protection such as knee, elbow and hip pads.

The Costs: To have a go its completely FREE, if you like it all you really need to invest in is a pair of gloves (Pedal Power at Martlesham or ebay, motorcross style gloves are good), a safety hat, elbow and knee pads (Pedal Power at Martlesham), you can use one of our club bikes to train and race on..even if you want to race at an event we will make a bike available…you can also buy you own purpose built bike from Pedal Power Cycles at Martlesham from junior to full size bikes.

Training cost is £1 per Monday session plus £1 for bike hire. Training for new riders starts at 6:00pm on Monday at our Kesgrave track.

British Cycling racing licence, the 1st year is completely FREE (Junior normally £8), ask at the club for more details and a form, if you apply on-line please don’t forget to add the club name ” Kesgrave Panthers”

Yearly club membership fee is £6 or £12 depending on the riders age.

So Cycle speedway really is the cheapest most fun packed sport you can get into, we have members that want to practice and race in our training sessions and others that travel all over the UK racing at national events so there is something for everyone, even dad’s and mum’s that want a go can try out at our senior training sessions.

For more information please contact kesgravepanthers@gmail.com