There’s less than 4 weeks to go before Round 1 of the Wessex CX 23/24 league and with the amount of rainfall recently, it could be quite a muddy season!

There were some rule changes brought into being at the AGM earlier in the year, and the latest revision of the Wessex Rules can be read here.  Yet again, we have a packed calendar this season with 13 events planned, including the regional championships: https://www.wessexcyclocross.co.uk/events/ The first two events, Solent Pirates on 3/9/23 and Fareham Wheelers on 10/9/23, are already loaded onto British Cycling website and taking entries. More will follow soon. We look forward to welcoming back the regular experienced racers, and also those trying out our sport discipline for the first time. So, for those who don’t already know, here follows some essential pre-season administration to complete, and some reminders of the BC Regulations. Registration Registration for the leagues new season has been open for a while now, with the deadline being 21/8/23 for your chance to have a personalised number for the forthcoming season. Once that date passes the order for the numbers will be sent to the printers, however you’ll still be able to register, just not have your personalised dossard.  Pre-register here! Affiliation Now registration is complete, we turn our attention to the completely separate thing that is affiliation. If you want to accrue league points and feature in the league tables, then the club or team that you race for, or you personally, if you are unattached, need to affiliate to the league. Details are here.  Badger your Club secretary/treasurer to pay up before the 4th event of the season. League Events You’ll need to enter the races as well, of course! This link takes you to the Wessex Cyclo-Cross League series page, and it will populate as event organisers load them onto the British Cycling system and open the entries: https://www.britishcycling.org.uk/events?series_id=741 ** League Registration is not League Affiliation is not Event entry. You are encouraged to do all three! ** Rider identification UCI / British Cycling (BC) Regulation “G2.3.4. Identification numbers must be displayed by all riders while participating, which includes any practice sessions or training, in any Event held under these Technical Regulations” requires ANY rider using the course is to be identifiable (in case of injury), and to have accepted the BC Ts&Cs.  So, for practice/training on the course, you MUST have either:- 1) Your timing chip fitted to your ankle  2) Your race number attached to your OUTER garment 3) Your FULL name clearly displayed on your helmet. ** If you are found to be riding on the course without any method of identification detailed above, you will be prevented from continuing, and face possible disqualification from your race. ** On-Board Cameras Use of on-Board cameras in races is prohibited without prior permission from British Cycling, there is a defined application process for it to be granted. Do not be tempted to use cameras in our races; however, filming is permitted in practice sessions without the requirement for permission, but with safety caveats. Refer to General Technical Regulations 2.3.2 and 2.3.3 for further information.   Tech Regs Having paid the rules a quick visit in the section above, it might be worth reminding yourself of the CX discipline rules too. Some nice bedtime reading for you all! Youth Training Day Solent Pirates are holding a youth CX training on 2/9/23, the day before the first round. Get in touch with them for details, and the chance to practice on the Wessex round 1 course before everyone else. Follow us on Social Media and keep tagging us in your posts. Add hashtags #wessexcx & #probablythebestcxleagueintheworld Good Luck to all racers! Have a fantastic season. Let there be mud!