Racing with PACC

Have you thought about signing up for an event, but don’t know where to start? Here’s a breakdown of what you need to do:

  1. Obtain an appropriate racing licence from AusCycling;
  2. Create a profile on EntryBoss.cc
  3. Sign up to the event on EntryBoss.cc
  4. Turn up to the event and get ready to race!

If you’re not sure about anything, please don’t hesitate to reach out to us!

Obtaining a racing licence:

Port Adelaide Cycling Club events are sanctioned by AusCycling, which is the national sanctioning body for cycling in Australia.

Different types of events require different licences, which will be stated in the entry page:

  • Lifestyle Licence – allows participation in recreational, social, and training activities, as well as Individual Time Trial events. Does NOT allow participation in mass-start events.
  • Race Off-Road – allows participation in BMX, Cyclocross, Gravel and Mountain Bike races.
  • Race All Discipline – Race any bike, any discipline!
  • Non-riding – For supporters, officials, volunteers, or administrators who don’t ride.

Information about obtaining a licence can be found here: AusCycling | Memberships. If you’re not sure which licence you need, speak to us via email ([email protected]) or via our social media channels.

When you register for a licence, you will be given an AusCycling Licence Number, which will be in the “AC123456” format.

You can also apply for a 4-week free trial licence, which allows participation in some (but not all) sanctioned events. This is a great place to start if you’re wanting to dip your toe in racing.

Signing up for events:

Port Adelaide Cycling Club utilises EntryBoss.cc for all our sanctioned events. Go to EntryBoss to sign up, and create a profile. You will be prompted to enter your Membership Details, which includes:

  • Membership Type / governing body – select “AusCycling”
  • Club – enter “Port Adelaide Cycling Club”
  • Country – “Australia”
  • Membership Number - enter your AusCycling Licence Number
  • Membership Category – select the option that best aligns to your category.

Once you’ve created your profile, navigate to the listing for the event you wish to enter, and hit ‘enter’. You will be prompted to provide some information including:

  • Category requested – what grade do you want to ride in?
  • Level within grade – where do you see yourself within your requested grade?
  • Entry remarks – provide the handicapper with some information
  • Whether you need to purchase a timing tag (new riders will get one for free, otherwise there is a fee for replacement)
  • Whether you need replacement race numbers (new riders will get numbers for free, otherwise there is a fee for replacement).

If you’re not certain which grade to enter, you can contact us and we can discuss which grade is most appropriate for your skill level.

What to do on race day?

If this is your first race, we recommend reaching out to the club via our social media channels. We can walk you through what you need to do. However, here are some top tips for getting ready for your first race.

  • We recommend that you turn up at least 30 minutes before your race to sign on. You need to approach the sign-on desk and speak to the volunteer who will make sure you're entered correctly, and provide you with any tags or numbers that you need. 
  • At your first race, you will be given a timing tag. This needs to be attached to your seatpost. We will supply a cable tie to do this, but you can also purchase timing tag holders.
  • You will also be given two race numbers which should be attached to the back of your jersey with safety pins (supplied). You need to ensure that the numbers are visible to the officials as you go through the finish line. We recommend that you speak to the officials on the day to make sure you have the numbers in the right place.
  • Make sure your bike is in good condition. Do the brakes work? Are the tires pumped up?
  • Make sure you have an approved helmet. Your helmet MUST have an Australian Standard AS/NZS 2063:2020 (or AS/NZS 2063:2008) sticker inside.

Finding your first event:

Port Adelaide Cycling Club hosts a variety of races. Details on scheduled events hosted by us can be found at our Events page or on EntryBoss: Race fixture - EntryBoss. There are other events hosted by other clubs in SA, such as the Norwood Cycling Club criteriums at Victoria Park, South Coast Cycling Club track events at Edwardstown Velodrome, and of course heaps of on- and off-road events around the State. If you're looking for an event to participate in, send us a message and we can help you find what will work best for you!

Events will be posted here on the website or on the AusCycling Events calendar:  https://auscycling.org.au/nat/events (click on South Australia and press "update")

What if my first event isn't a race?

Lots of events aren't 'races'. You might want to turn up to a Hanson Reserve Motorpacing session on a Thursday night. You might want to take part in one of our official social rides, such as the Christmas Cruise. You will still need a licence, but can turn up without worrying about timing chips, race numbers, or anything except having fun. Reach out to the organiser of the event if you need any more information. 

Age Categories

If racing in an age-based road or track event, your age category is determined by your year of birth. More information will be available from the event page.