North East Crit League - NECL

03/09/2026

Morning All,

Almost as much action yesterday as there was on Transfer Deadline Day but without the huge price tags!!

We will close the Summer Series with a bumper entry of 63 riders!!

Sadly, only 9 women across both races, so the Women's races will stay as 2 separate classifications so there will be a 'Cat 4 only' category and a 'Cat E123' category. You will be racing together, but for separate podiums and points. Together with North East Road Race Series , we've been bouncing a few ideas about to try attract more female riders to the sport so I hope we can boost the numbers in Crit and Road events in 2027.

31 riders in Open 3/4 making a total of 40 riders in that race which is just 5 off the current max capacity, which is awesome!!

23 riders will sign off the season in the Open E123 race as we fade into the evening. I hope it gets all moody and we get a lovely sunset.

'Peter the timing guy' is back from a well earned holiday so we will have chip timing on Friday (OMG that's tomorrow!!!) which makes the results so much easier and the commissaires job so much less stressful.

With the riders nailed down, I need to make the usual shout out for marshals!! I need 3 marshals per race + sign on desk......

As it is 'The Finale', I have some medals and the overall Series trophies to hand out, plus the traditional Haribos.

I'll also have plenty of snacks plus tea / coffee / hot chocolate available on the night and if I can sort it out, a delivery of pizzas in time for the podiums. If you can, please stay for the podiums which will all take place at the end of the night.

Huge thanks to everyone who has supported my crazy idea - riders, sponsors, volunteers, commissaires, the staff at BC in Manchester for helping me stay just about on the right side of the rules and regulations. It's been one helluva year from absolute zero on the 1st Jan, we've all pulled together and got 8 events up and running.

Thanks. Graham.

02/09/2026

Less than 4 hours before entry closes for NECL Summer Series Round 5.

Shhhhh, if you stop talking and mute the telly you can hear the countdown music has started.....

We need 2 more women riders to make it to 10 and full points.... Leanne Mitchell Gemma Mccleary New Joanne Rea Emily Middlebrooke Ruth Laidler Miriam Jessett Helen Whiting ......

https://www.britishcycling.org.uk/events/details/335519/North-East-Crit-League-Summer-Series---Round-5

Who will win the final last minute.com award of the NECL season?!?!

Graham.

British Cycling

01/09/2026

Hi All,

My phone has been buzzing and beeping all day and 18 more riders have joined in the fun.

Sadly no Youth riders have signed up, so I have taken the difficult decision to cancel the Youth U14/U16 race. It's a little over 24 hours until the entry deadline and still zero entries across all 4 youth categories.

I have also been asked by the Chief Commissaire to look at bringing the racing forward by 10-15 mins. The proposal for timing is now:

🔹 Course Practice - 16:30 to 17:30.
🔹 Race 1 (Open 3/4 + Women E1234) - 17:40 (50 mins).
🔹 Race 2 (Open E123) - 18:40 (50 mins).

That should see us finishing at 19:30 approximately 20 mins before sunset. The floodlights around the circuit are not suitable for lighting the circuit at E123 race pace......

I will email all registered competitors advising of the proposed timing change.

I ordered some medals and trophies today so all to race for on Friday. Still time to get yourself on the start list - https://www.britishcycling.org.uk/events/details/335519/North-East-Crit-League-Summer-Series---Round-5

Thanks. Graham.

01/09/2026

Hand's up who was enjoying the Bank Holiday so much they forgot to set the alarm?? Just me then!!

Entry for NECL Round 5 'The Finale' close a little earlier than usual because it's on a Friday not a Sunday. Online entry closes tomorrow night, Wednesday 2nd September at 23:55.

So far we have:

🔘 Youth U14/U16 = 0, zip, nada, zero entries.
🔘 Open 3/4 = 17 entries.
🔘 Women = 5 entries.
🔘 Open E123 = 14 entries.

Unfortunately, the Youth race will be cancelled unless there are at least 10 entries by the closing date. Sorry.

I've had my knuckles rapped for messing about with the women's race categories after the event has taken place so the Women's race will be merged into a single Reg B race. We need 10 riders for full points.....

Online entry only here - https://www.britishcycling.org.uk/events/details/335519/North-East-Crit-League-Summer-Series---Round-5

To quote Delia Smith on 28th Feb 2005, "Where are you?" "Let's be 'avin you!!".

This is the last opportunity for a crit race in the NE region so let's get more riders and have a good one.

Thanks. Graham.

31/08/2026

Happy Bank Holiday Monday!!

Thanks to all the riders who took part in NECL Summer Series R4 at Hetton. There was some great racing and I hope you enjoyed the challenge of Hetton circuit.

I have just submitted the Official Results to BC so any points earned at Round 4 should be on your licence in time for Round 5 this Friday.

Online entry for Round 5 closes on Wednesday 2nd September at 23:55 which is earlier than usual due to the event taking place on Friday evening instead of Sunday.

The event format will be:
▪️Course Practice - 16:30 (20 mins).
▪️Race 1 - Youth U14/U16 - 17:00 (40 mins).
▪️ Race 2 - Open 3/4 + Women's E1234 - 17:50 (50 mins).
▪️Race 3 - Open E123 18:50 (55 mins).

Online entry only using the BC event page - https://www.britishcycling.org.uk/events/details/335519/North-East-Crit-League-Summer-Series---Round-5

This is the final round of the NECL Summer Series so I hope to see you there, but if not, a big thank you for supporting one or more rounds of the North East Crit League.

From a standing start, I am proud to have delivered 3x Prissick Spring Classics and 5x NECL Summer Series events. I've had plenty of support from some sponsors to get the North East Crit League up and running:

▪️Leadout Performance
▪️Eaglescliffe Physiotherapy
▪️Adey Dent Wheels
▪️Fietsen Tempo CC

Huge thanks also for the help from volunteers with sign on, marshalling, course set up and take down.

I look forward to seeing you on Friday evening for the Finale.

Thanks. Graham.

British Cycling North East
North East Youth League - NEYL

British Cycling

30/08/2026

On Friday 4th September, the fifth and final round of NECL Summer Series will take place at Middlesbrough Cycle Circuit.

The event will also feature a combined Youth A/B race and the race timetable is as follows:

🔹 Course Practice - 16:30 to 16:50
🔹 Youth A/B Race - 17:00 (40 mins)
🔹 Open Cat 3/4 + Women's E1234 Race - 17:50 (50 mins)
🔹 Open E123 Race - 18:50 (55 mins)

Entries are flowing in for the Adult races but so far no entries for the Youth race, so please can you share among your clubs.

Entry closes at 23:55 on Wednesday - https://www.britishcycling.org.uk/events/details/335519/North-East-Crit-League-Summer-Series---Round-5

Thanks. Graham.

British Cycling North East
Cleveland Wheelers
Hetton Hawks CC
Manilla Cycling
NSP Cycling Team
Stockton Wheelers Cycling Club
Tyneside Vagabonds Cycling Club

British Cycling

29/08/2026

Well done to North East Road Race Series for another great event today!!

This morning, I woke to an exciting email from British Cycling with the subject line "2027 Lloyds Bank Elite National Circuit Series - Application Information".......

With all the excitement around Darlington City Center Crit (which sadly didn't happen this year), I may have indicated a desire to host a National Circuit Series race.....

I need to have a catch up with Darlington Council and potential main sponsors, but I need a little show of hands who is prepared to support bringing a National Series event back to the region.

It's going to take quite a few people & NE clubs to pull this off and I'm going to need plenty of sponsorship to cover the high cost of shutting down a city centre for the night....

There is no guarantee of being awarded such a prestigious event, but it would be fabulous for the region so I've got to at least ask the question, right?

Graham.

26/08/2026

Morning All,

I have uploaded the provisional results for Hetton Races 2 & 3 to the event on BC. There are a few riders I need to try and identify from Race 1 before I can confidently release the provisional results (I couldn't read the numbers from my vantage point..... 🤦‍♂️). I've emailed the riders last night.

Congratulations to Gemma & Emily who secured enough points to upgrade their licence category. So pleased for you both and thanks for supporting the races this year!!

We're building a great little racing community here in the NE so I wanted to give a few upcoming, local events a shout out:

🔹 Thursday 27th August - Middlesbrough MEGA Cross @ Middlesbrough Velodrome. It's the third and final round of this set of short course, evening races so lets give Kacey, Izzy and the Trailblazer Squad our support - https://www.britishcycling.org.uk/events/details/339291/Middlesbrough-Mega-Cross-Round-3 **Online entry has closed but still entry on the night (cash or card).**

🔹 Saturday 29th August - North East Road Race Series @ Middleton, near Morpeth. This is the also the third and final round of this local road race series. Unfortunately, no women's race due to insufficient entries, but the Open 234 starts at 09:00 - https://www.britishcycling.org.uk/events/details/334356/North-East-Road-Race-Series-Round-3-. **Online entry closed but still allowing entry-on-the-day.**

🔹 Friday 4th September - NECL Summer Series Round 5 @ Middlesbrough Cycle Circuit. The fifth and final round of this NE-based crit series - https://www.britishcycling.org.uk/events/details/335519/North-East-Crit-League-Summer-Series---Round-5. **Online entry ONLY**. For the FINALE I have added an U14/U16 race to the schedule North East Youth League - NEYL Racing starts at 5pm and finishes 5 mins before sunset, so it's going to be interesting how this changes the racing.

🔹 Saturday 5th September - British Cycling NE Track Cluster @ Middlesbrough Velodrome. Coaching for U8 to U16 working towards track accreditation. 3 groups based on ability and experience on the velodrome - https://www.britishcycling.org.uk/events/details/335767/British-Cycling-North-East-Track-Cluster- Local legends Matty Brennan and new Junior IP World Champion Daniel Thompson started at this very velodrome so who knows where this could lead...... Online entry still open plus entry-on-the-day. **Please read the requirements for clothing eg long sleeves and track mitts**

🔹 If CX is more your thing, then CXNE Round 1 @ Middlesbrough takes place on the 13th September - https://www.britishcycling.org.uk/events/details/338526/CXNE-202627-Round-1 **online entry ONLY**. *Please also pay attention to age categories because CX categories run from 1st September!!*


British Cycling
British Cycling North East
North East Road Race Series
North East Crit League - NECL
North East Youth League - NEYL

25/08/2026

At NECL Summer Series Round 5, I'll be collecting donations for Samaritans because 15 months ago, I made one of the hardest phone calls of my life.

Like many men, I had convinced myself that being "strong" meant dealing with everything on my own:
🔹 Work pressures
🔹 Family pressures
🔹 Financial pressures
🔹 Career pressures

Individually, none of them seemed overwhelming. But over time, the weight of many small problems can become greater than the sum of their parts.

As a Quality Engineer, I'm used to breaking problems down into manageable pieces. Looking back, that's exactly what I should have done sooner with my own wellbeing.

On 23rd May 2025, I reached out to the Samaritans and spent around two hours talking to a volunteer called Tony. That conversation helped me step back, slow my thinking down, and see a way forward.

Fifteen months later, I can honestly say that making that call was one of the most important decisions I've ever made.

We often tell men to be strong. We tell fathers to provide, support, protect, and solve problems.

But who supports the men when they're struggling?

The lesson I learned is simple:

"Asking for help is not weakness. It's taking action before things become unmanageable."

Mental health challenges don't always arrive as one major event. Often, they come as a series of smaller pressures that quietly build over time until the load becomes too heavy to carry alone.

If you're struggling, talk to someone:
🔹 A friend
🔹 A family member
🔹 A colleague
🔹 A professional

Just don't carry it all yourself.

If sharing this encourages one person to reach out for support a little earlier than they otherwise would have, then it's worth writing.

£1 of your entry fee will also be donated to Samaritans. 💚

Thanks. Graham.

24/08/2026

Hey Riders,

NECL R5 at Middlesbrough is now live on BC Events, but the Open E123 is classified as Nat A...... This is a typo and it should be Nat B.

I would love Nat A status but I don't have the £2k prize fund a Nat A requires....

**Event has now been updated**

**Running on a weekday, also limits the points to Band 5, eg 10, 8, 7, 6, 5, 4, 3, 2, 1 &1.**

**Apologies for any confusion, and lesson learned for me about running on Friday night**

But, if we can get over 10 riders, I'll once again try to get the Women's races combined for full points.

Enter here - https://www.britishcycling.org.uk/events/details/335519/North-East-Crit-League-Summer-Series---Round-5

I've got a few ideas to sign off the 2026 NECL Summer Series with a bang!! 🍾💥

British Cycling