Criterium or 'crit' racing tends to raced over the summer season. The format is laps of a short circuit. They usually have no set distance but instead the race is run over a set time and then a number of laps. For example Caulfield Carnegie Cycling Club A and B grade at Glenvale Crescent in Mulgrave, Victoria, race for 60 minutes and then three laps, while C and D grade race for less time, but still with 3 laps at the completion of the time. So, having a timer as part of your cycle computer is therefore useful! Here are some other useful tips to get you started. Click on the "full story" link below for more...

If there are two or more clubs in your area, how do you know which one to join? It depends on what you want to do and how you want to do it. Are you interested in recreational rides or racing? Click on 'full story' for some things to look for.

The major activity of any cycling club, racing or touring, is the group ride. As a result, it's important to know how to hang tough on a given ride and make yourself welcome on the next one. Success is often due to more than fitness.

If you've been in this sport for a while you will probably have seen this happen. An enthusiastic person shows up for their first race with the local club. Their a bit intimidated by the lingo they overhear, but that's nothing compared to their anxiety about what to do and how to do it once the race gets underway. Before long they are out the back of the bunch, spooked by the interplay of bike wheels and feeling dejected. Do you think this rider will be back for another race next weekend? Not likely. To read the full article and tips on encouraging new riders click on 'Full Story' link below.

In 2007 the Tour of Bright organisers changed the race when they dropped the criterium on the Sunday and replaced the epic climb up Mt Buffalo to an even more epic climb up Mt Hotham. Mt Hotham has sections with gradients up to 10% and is around a 30 km climb. Combining this with the two stages on the Saturday; the Tawonga Gap loop and the 15.7 km rolling time trial course, the Tour of Bright is now even more suited to the cyclist that considers themselves a good climber. Here are five tips for training for the Tour of Bright. Click on the "Full Story link" to read more.

Ever wondered how in a professional race the riders usually manage to chase a breakaway down within the last few km?

Not all sprint finishes are won by sprinters. This article coves two different approaches to winning sprint finishes based on the type of rider you are.

Max HR Monitoring

Reaching your hereditary Max HR potential is a combination of several factors. Generally, as your fitness improves your Max HR will increase up to your natural hereditary Max HR potential (the maximum HR your body is capable of when you are optimally trained). The other reason that your Max HR increases comes from your body adapting neurologically when you train at high intensities (like interval training). This enables you to perform at a higher intensity from the same fitness level. Find out more by clicking the "full story" link below

Keeping it out in front

Here are four pro tips for winning a Criterium Race. These simple tips will ensure you are in the best position to come home a winner. This is part of the free cycling coaching and training advice from Cycling-Inform’s website.

Find the sweet spot

How to get a free ride in a Criterium Races - Discover the secret sweet spot in the bunch and get a free ride. One of a series of Criterium tips from Cycling-Inform's cycling training and coaching information website.

Riding at the back of a criterium race is hard work. The reason for this is to do with the concertina effect that happens to the bunch when going around corners. Here are some cycling criterium tips to help you ride better.