London’s popular Beastway series proves that there’s an appetite for midweek bike racing, but if you’re not in the London area then your opportunities are limited. With that in mind, Reading’s Ratz MBC is holding two evening races as a trial, with a view to a full summer series in 2005.

The races will be on 4 and 18 August at the well-regarded Checkendon venue and Ratz is keen to get as many people there as possible to test out the format and iron out any wrinkles. The plan is for cyclo-cross format races – 50 minutes plus a lap. The course will be a special short version of the Checkendon course entirely in the woods – reckon on about ten minutes per lap.

Entry will be on the line only. If you’re not a club member it’s a fiver to enter, plus you’ll need Ratz day membership for insurance purposes (£3). If you are a club member then entry is free – if you’re planning to do both races then you’d be best off paying for an annual membership, which is usually £20 but reduced to just a tenner from 1 August. As well as the race entries that’ll get you all the usual Ratz benefits – open access to the Checkendon course, club rides and activities and local shop discounts. Plus of course the Club Championship (21/22 August – XC, hillclimb, Trailquest, DH, slalom, BBQ, beer).

Entries for the evening races close at 7pm with the start at 7.15. Details at www.ratmbc.co.uk or email [email protected].