Hillingdon Loo Lock-out

There are now arrangements for a Loo Lock-Out at Hillingdon cycle circuit!

But there is no need to panic, it just that eight cable locks are now available for riders to borrow from the admin area to secure their bike outside the adjacent Goals building while they are in the loos or the changing area or showers. They are a 20 second ride away within the general car park area, which is unobserved. It is a longer walk if nervous about leaving an unsecured bike outside although there have been no reports of bikes being stolen.

The circuit is more popular than ever with record fields for the winter series now followed by a record field of 100 in a single event at the second Beyond Mountain Bikes series.

The BC West Thames Tuesday series starts on 7 April where four pairs of race wheels will be available to service puncture victims as in previous years.

There is also good news for third category riders who, although riding with the E/1/2 category riders, will have their own prize list down to sixth place, and extension of the three place prizes awarded last year.

The extension has proved possible because of the accuracy in result judging afforded by the circuit’s own photo finish equipment and the growing technical expertise of the team of operators.

Major grants for Hillingdon Circuit for track feasibility
Stuart Benstead - January 2009

The year 2009 starts in the best possible way for the Hillingdon Cycle Circuit where the Users Group has been awarded a grant of £12,249 by the Hillingdon Community Trust. This is being matched by the LB Hillingdon to achieve the total £25,000 required to carry out a feasibility study on the construction of a 250 metre banked track, together with buildings for the efficient running of both the track and the existing road circuit. This includes a club hut for administration of events, especially the Slipstreamers children’s club with a membership of nearly 200.

When the feasibility study has been completed, which is likely by April, it will form the basis for an application for planning permission which, if granted, will allow the application for capital grants for the project. This is likely to be mainly from lottery funds controlled by Sport England, plus grants from other sources, including Hillingdon Council. The overall cost can’t be assessed until the feasibility study has been completed.

David Brough, chairman of the Hillingdon Community Trust, a local charity funded by BAA, says, "I am delighted that the Hillingdon Community Trust is joining with the Council to back the feasibility study. The Users' Group is promoting an excellent range of activities at the Circuit and I hope that this study will help them gain national backing for their imaginative plans"

Chris Spencer Director of Children's Services at Hillingdon council and a member of the Cycling England board added: "This is wonderful news for the local community and could lead to local residents having access to national standard facilities on their doorstep. It will also provide local youngsters and schools in the area with an opportunity to learn to ride their bike in a safe off-road environment right up to sampling track racing". Chris has been working hard behind the scenes with British Cycling to attract the support of the organisation in supporting local ambitions.

“This is great,” says Stuart Benstead, chairman of the Users Group, “and means we can look forward to fulfil an undoubted huge demand for track racing, especially since the fantastic success of our track cyclists at the Olympic Games.

“In fact Bradley Wiggins started his race career at the age of 12 on the then unopened Hayes by-pass, adjacent to the present circuit, which led to construction of the road circuit, but had to go to Herne Hill or Reading to learn about track racing in which he has since won three Olympic gold medals over two Games and just been awarded the CBE.

“If we get the new track, local youngsters can aspire to similar heights.”

The Users Group is composed of nine organisations covering various cycling disciplines and age groupings, plus the London Nordic Ski Club, all of which hire the circuit on a regular basis. The latest member is the Women’s Fitness Club, meeting every Friday for newcomers of all ages to the pastime, rather than the sport, even being taught to balance on a cycle.

The grant from Hillingdon Council was announced to the Users Group by Cllr. Henry Higgins, Cabinet Member for Sport and Leisure, very aptly during a visit to the circuit by Olympic Team Sprint gold medallist track rider Jamie Staff when he met a group of ambitious Slipstreamers. The Users Group will be making up the small balance, having already spent around £5,000 from its own funds on an environmental survey and topographic survey.

The feasibility study will be carried out by Acanthus LA Architects, led by Christopher Richards and Andrew Postings, both being regular users of the circuit as skier and cyclist, respectively.