VC In-Gear will be running its popular ‘have-a-go’ time trial series again in 2009 – and this year, it’s bigger and better than ever.

As in previous years, it’s a chance for riders of all ages and abilities to get a taste of competing against the clock. No experience or specialist equipment are necessary; riders can simply turn up, pay a £1 entry fee and ‘have a go’.

The series will run on Wednesday evenings throughout June and July. For the first four weeks (3, 10, 17 and 24 June) riders can ease themselves in gently over five miles; on 1, 8, 15 and 22 July, they’ll compete over a new course of 10 miles – the classic short distance event for generations of British ‘testers’. There will be prizes on offer for the fastest aggregate times over the eight weeks.

In organising the event, VC In-Gear has worked closely with the national governing body, Cycling Time Trials, which is keen to attract new people into the sport on the back of Team GB’s Olympic cycling successes.

“Over the past few years, this format has proved extremely popular,” says Pete Roberts, owner of In-Gear Cycle Sport. “If you’ve never raced before, it’s a perfect introduction; no pressure, no win-or-lose, just a bunch of friendly, like-minded people out to enjoy themselves. We really want to dispel the ‘closed shop’ image some clubs have given time-trialling in particular and road cycling in general.”

But this relaxed ambiance doesn’t mean there’s no competitive spirit. “People do take it quite seriously,” says Pete. “They really want to see their times improve week on week – and beat their mates into the bargain! It’s also been known for riders from our elite In-Gear/QuickVit RT squad to turn up; you could find yourself up against multiple National Champion Michael Hutchinson, or even Tour legend Sean Yates!”