British Cycling Avis 

SDA DH #5 – Fort William & National series

First of all, a big thank you to SDA for putting on the event. Credit where it’s due — as National races go, this was one of the first in a long time that felt like it was run really well. There were very few red flags, and I think the combination of a wide track and some common sense from the marshals meant racing was allowed to continue rather than being stopped every time someone pulled over.

That said, there was one thing I genuinely don’t understand, and it was incredibly frustrating.

On Saturday, in freezing rain and gale-force winds, every rider was being held at the top for around 15–20 seconds, creating a huge queue. The track is around 15 feet wide and six minutes long, and riders are naturally going to have moments where they slow down or stop — particularly in those conditions. So I really struggle to understand why we needed such a long hold at the top.

I was lucky enough to have taken a coat up with me, but a lot of riders were left standing at the top in absolutely miserable conditions, getting colder and colder while waiting to start.

Apart from that, the event seemed to run extremely well, and credit to everyone involved for that.

I’d probably give it 3/5 overall, and it would have been a 4/5 if it wasn’t for the unnecessary holding at the top on Saturday.

It’s just frustrating because it felt like such an easily avoidable issue at an otherwise very well-run event.

Cancelled my membership two years ago. Last week they took £82 out of my account. Bank confirmed there was no active direct debit and couldn't explain how they'd taken the money. Multiple emails ignored. Check your statements carefully if you've ever been a member — I'll be watching mine for years.
Please stop stealing money from my account.

Another very disappointing weekend for British Cycling.

Credit where it’s due — the event organiser did a great job and clearly did everything possible to make the weekend work. Unfortunately, once British Cycling became involved, the event was let down by poor leadership and a lack of understanding of downhill racing.

A major issue throughout the weekend was the inconsistent and, at times, incorrect use of yellow and red flags. There is a very important difference between the two, and that difference has a significant impact on how a downhill race is run.

I experienced this first-hand when I had a moment on track and came off after hurting myself, ending up safely at the side of the track. In that situation, a yellow flag would have been appropriate. Instead, a red flag was issued, despite concerns being raised at the time, resulting in the entire track being stopped and a run being disrupted for everyone still on course.

This was not an isolated incident either. Similar situations happened repeatedly throughout the weekend, creating unnecessary stoppages, delays and frustration for riders.

Downhill racing is a high-speed discipline where the correct use of flags, communication and decision-making are absolutely critical. Other countries and organisations seem to understand this and manage it effectively, so it is extremely frustrating to see British Cycling continuing to struggle with something that should be fundamental to running a downhill event.

The event organiser deserves credit for their efforts, but unfortunately the overall weekend was badly affected by decisions and leadership from British Cycling.

After all the years of experience and development within downhill racing, surely we should be moving forward rather than continuing to make the same mistakes.

British Cycling needs to listen to the riders, understand the discipline properly and, most importantly, make sure the people making decisions on the side of the track actually understand how downhill racing works.

Absolutely disgraceful customer service once they have your subscription money. Totally ignored all my simple email enquiries. If I could give zero stars out of five I would as they're not worthy of even one star. Will be cancelling my membership for sure. Do yourself a favour and don't believe their sales pitch as they clearly do not care about the cycling community. Disgraceful service....

Website is horrendous. Must have been designed in the 1950's. Im still trying to reset my password and I have been at it for 30 minutes. Appalling

Possibly the worst website experience I have ever had. From login issues, where they sent me a new password that still didnt work, to then taking over 2 weeks to reply confirming that it stil didnt work. To trying to renew and it failing, to now renewing and it not giving me a licence. Thats if it allows me to login once ive deleted all caches and cookies.
Never have I ever had such a problem with a website. Everyone I know who uses it agrees. I havent met one person who has had a seemless experience. Not fit for 2006 let alone 2026!

I've tried about 15 times to renew. It's impossible. Their website simply does not work.

Even trying again is very time consuming, the option to start the renewal is only visible sometimes.

They don't reply to emails
They don't reply to incident reports

Had RTA with another cyclist who pulled out on me from a junction resulting in significant damage to my bike and me requiring hospitalisation. They fled the scene and despite filing a report to police, British Cycling refused to support with damages caused to my bike because I don’t have details of the 3rd party. I appreciate personal injury and wearable gear (GPS etc) is only covered at the highest premium tier, but I would have thought at least my bike would be covered but apparently not. Makes me question whether the £54 annual premium represents value for money as I’d be better off bolting extra cover to my home insurance? Food for thought people. Ride safe.

British Cycling's complaints and compliance 'team' are a disgrace

Paid £35 to enter a race for my son. They also wanted £1 processing fee. The race was cancelled. The organisers paid back the money to British Cycling and they charged me another £1 processing fee. I just phoned them up to query this and was told ‘that’s just the way it is’ and had the phone put down on me when I paused to answer. Unbelievable and appalling - both the double fee and the way I was treated.

Hopeless website and communications, no one answers the telephone and they don’t call you back. Amateurish

British cycling pairs with one of the most corrupt companies in earth's history, equals my cancelled membership.

Found out that they were sponsored by Shell lol. Absolutely pathetic

If so, then you are quite unfit for purpose. Feeble, indecisive, virtue-signalling half-wits.

The same Emily Bridges BORN a man, and who won last month’s British Universities Championships M-E-N-S points race?

Damn you for your craven cowardice.

The needs of the many outweigh the needs of the few.

I suggest a few sackings might be in order, and the sooner the better.

I have waited over 3 weeks for a refund now, no one at british cycling seems to care that I have been waiting since the the 6th of May. Honestly I would avoid this company like the plague.

Horrendous experience taking part in British Cycling events as part of a cycling club. Lots of bullying and malicious comments directed at me. I don’t cycle any longer.