British Masters Cycle Racing is for female and male racers over 40 years of age. You can join, and race, in the year in which you turn 40.
We offer a year-round programme of road, circuit, track and gravel races – around 150 races per year – with annual membership of only £28. We also hold championships for our members in cyclo-cross, mountain bike and time trial (TT is road bikes only).
About us
British Masters Cycle Racing is an independent body proudly established by Percy Stallard and Eddie Cook in 1986 as the League of Veteran Racing Cyclists. Created to provide a programme of competitive cycling events for members aged 40 and over.
While the UCI, the international governing body of cycling, holds that masters racing is for those aged 30 and over, we are for those over 40.
Our membership varies from newbies to World Champions, this is the place for everyone, whatever your ability. Membership does not exclude anyone from joining any other cycling organisation.
Racing is administered on a regional basis, while an Executive Committee deals with policy, and co-ordinates the regional activities. Most of the road races are under 55 miles; there are also some stage races, criteriums, time trials and track leagues. The calendar of events will provide a guide to the races organised by BMCR. If you are interested in time trials, there is some more information here.
It is BMCR policy that races are organised on an age-group basis grouped. We have a series of open categories, based on 5-year age bands for men with women given an extra allowance to reflect female versus male performance.
A woman aged 40 typically has the same endurance performance as a man aged 65, so women start racing in the F category from the age of 40. As men in their late sixties are experiencing an accelerating drop in performance, it is not until a woman is 58 that she typically has the same endurance performance as a man aged 70 (G cat). Hence women race in the F category from the age of 40 to 58.
| Open Category | Women aged | Men aged |
| A | 40-44 | |
| B | 45-49 | |
| C | 50-54 | |
| D | 55-59 | |
| E | 60-64 | |
| F | 40-57 | 65-69 |
| G | 58-63 | 70-74 |
| H | 64-68 | 75-79 |
| I | 69+ | 80+ |
Open categories only apply when women are racing against men. With increasing numbers of women competing, we are often able to have specific women’s categories. Whilst we hope eventually to have sufficient women racing to make five-year age groups work, we currently use 10-year age-groups. These are 40-49 (W40), 50-59 (W50), and 60+ (W60). There are currently insufficient women over 70 racing to allow for a W70 category.
Categories are based on year of birth, so all members change category (in the appropriate year) on the 1st January. So if you turning 40 during 2025, will be eligible to join BMCR from 1st January 2025.
If you’re unsure whether you’re fit enough to race, don’t worry – except for National Championship and Stallard Series races – you are welcome to compete in an older age group race than your category indicates.
For example if a 42 year old rider feels that they are not up to the standard of that age group then they can ride in a 50+ or even 60+ race. Conversely riders may opt to race in a younger age group than their calendar age, for more intense competition and longer distance. Again, this is not permitted in National Championship or Stallard races. Please note that if you compete “out of category” you will get a placing in the race, but you will not get a “category placing”.