Shropshire County-level Time Trialling 2026

The 2026 time trialling season is back with a bang in Shropshire, with a programme of events to suit a range of abilities and interests. Starring on March 7^th with Wrekinsport CC’s Hilly 17, taking place from Atcham and climbing the Ironbridge by-pass, on rolling terrain through Leighton, there is plenty of silverware on offer, with the Shropshire Cycling Clubs Association offering the chance to win almost 50 trophies across four major Series and several stand-alone Championships.

Riders gain points either through belonging to an SCCA-affiliated club; or can affiliate to the SCCA individually as a private member as long as they have a permanent Shropshire address regardless of what club they belong to, with an ability to affiliate directly to SCCA if they prefer. New for 2026 is a smattering of Road Bike only events to encourage participation in the fastest-growing category of time trialling, something National governing body Cycling Time Trials are keen to promote. Open events are always online and in advance using Cycling Time Trials portal; whilst Association and Club events are sometimes pre-entry, sometimes cash on the night depending on the preference of the promoter. The Cycling Time Trials portal also includes a written explanation and map of the course codes shown.

Friction Hydraulics Series

Based on the solo Open events taking place in Shropshire, points can be scored not only in the overall competition, but in Veterans on VTTA Standard, Female, Junior and Road Bike categories too. Points are awarded as follows, with the best 12 scores counting, and bonus points awarded for longer rides:

• 60 points for first, 55 for second, reducing in 5 point steps to 5 for finishing
• For 50 mile events 70 points for first, 65 for second, reducing in 5 point steps to 10 for finishing
• For 100 mile events 80 points for first, 75 for second, reducing in 5 point steps to 15 for finishing

Included within this Series are four ‘standard distance’ stand-alone Championships at 100, 50, 25 and 10 miles; with the 100, 25 and 10 kindly supported by Ride Fast Coaching, and the 50 by SB Sports Injuries and Physiotherapy.

The Series also contains the hotly-contested Top Club Award, combining the points of clubs across all events – but this year with a twist. Until 2026 this competition has only been based upon overall scores, but from this year club’s points will be compiled from their rider’s individual maximum overall or category scores, aimed to encourage even more Female, Juniors and Road Bike competition and to reflect that contribution strongly.

Events shown in italics are County Championships

SB Sports Injuries Series

The Series features a ‘round robin’ of Association and club events nominated by members at distances up to 30 miles. It is designed to encourage club level riders to step up a distance, and to experience the rich range of courses on offer at all points of the County. Everything from pan flat to tricky and technical is included to give variety. The same categories as in the Friction Hydraulics Series feature along with an overall points table; and bonus points are awarded for stepping up distances, with the best 12 scores counting:

• 20 points for first, 18 for second, reducing in 2 point steps to 2 for finishing
• For 25 mile events 26 points for first, 24 for second, reducing in 2 point steps to 4 for finishing
• For 30 mile events 30 points for first, 28 for second, reducing in 2 point steps to 6 for finishing

Mower Mec 2-Up Series

This Series is for pairs of riders working together around a 10 mile circuit, with the time taken on the second rider. The draught effect means that these are usually fast and furious, as riders gain from sheltering behind their partner out of the wind as they take turns to lead – and to continually talk to encourage each other on. An overall points Championship is joined by Female and Mixed pairs competitions, with points scored as follows:

• 20 points for first, 18 for second, reducing in 2 point steps to 2 for finishing

Best 5 scores from the 7 rounds count.

BBR Opticians Hill Climb Series

Traditional end of season ‘fun’ for the mountain goats for whom the vertical challenged is to be relished. Shropshire features many climbs with widely differing characteristics, with climbs from ½ mile all-out explosive efforts, to more considered 2 mile grinds. Aside from an overall competition there are also Female, Juniors and Veterans on Actual Time categories. Given this is late season, two events are still under negotiation. The Paramount climb of The Burway is closed road, meaning under-12’s are allowed to compete; and is an Open event. Points are scored as follows:

• 20 points for first, 18 for second, reducing in 2 point steps to 2 for finishing

Best 6 scores count.

Events in italics are still to be agreed

Ride Fast Coaching Shropshire Championship 4-Up

One of the County’s most anticipated events is the little-seen 4-Up format, where teams of four racing around a 50 kilometre course, with times taken on the third rider. That quirk means that tactics come into play – a team can elect to finish together, to use up a rider setting a furious pace on the front, or to drop a struggling rider in the final stretch. This is the fastest of all open-road formats, attracting teams from the Road Racing discipline and riders who wouldn’t ride any other time trial. It is both exhausting and great fun, with team work essential. Trophies are awarded to the best overall SCCA team and the best all-female team. Why 50 kilometres? It started as a format on the European continent, so it is simply following tradition.