Family membership
This is how it works.
When you take up your First or Second Claim membership you will see on the sign up forms this question:
Select this (change No to Yes) and you will see the discount code FAMILYMEMBERSHIP
Once you have joined (so please follow the instructions for an adult, First or Second claim
membership first) you can then enter this code into the coupon field on the Associate and
Youth membership forms and the value will be reduced to zero.
To help us tie everything together, there is an additional field on the Associate and Youth
membership forms asking if this is part of a family membership. If it is we ask the ‘lead’
adult member to provide their name and email address.
Muddy Monsters
We're delighted to be hosting two rounds of the much loved Muddy Monsters kids racing series again this season - the fun introduction to off road racing for youth novices of all ages.
The two rounds will be held at the Cottonmill Community and Cycling Centre (aka St Albans Cycle Hub) - Off Old Oak, Cottonmill Lane, St Albans, AL1 2EF.
Verulam CC will be hosting:
- Round 3 on Saturday 13th December 2025, and
- Round 7 on Saturday 7th March 2026
More details of the Muddy Monsters Series can be found here. Follow on Facebook and book in advance on the British Cycling website. To book places on the VCC (St Albans) events, as an alternative, you can book using the form below.
Muddy Monsters series are fun events, providing an introduction to racing for youth novices.
- Off-road cycle racing
- No prior racing experience required
- Any kind of bike with two working brakes!
- Helmet required, gloves recommended, keep warm!
As part of the Muddy Monsters Herts & Beds series, Muddy Monsters events are designed for novices aged Under 14. Entrants should not be competing regularly in regional cyclo-cross or mountain bike series events. The events are off-road and suitable for mountain bikes or cyclo-cross bikes.
There may be a few spot prizes on the day but most of the prizes are given for the overall series.
For the VCC (St Albans) events, please arrive at least half an hour early to sign-on, warm-up, practice the course and collect your race number.
- 8:30am Sign-on opens
- 8:45am Course open for practice
- 9:15am Sign-on closes
- 9:30am First Race starts
There will be a rider briefing prior to the start of each race.
Each rider in each age category gets 3 races: The Sprint & Endurance race will count towards the series. The final Handicap race of the day will be non-counting, but it's great fun and another chance to win!
To enter the next VCC (St Albans) event, please use the form below. Entry on the day is also possible (£5).
Muddy Monsters series results
Click here to see results of the latest round and here for the series.
Muddy Monsters Race Entry
MEMBERSHIP FAQ
- Do I have to complete the introductory ride before I can join?
No you don't! If you prefer, you are welcome to join us and get to know us before you complete the introductory ride. You won't be able to ride in our club organised group rides, but you are very welcome to join in our community activities, club nights, and solo time trials.
- Do I have to become a member to come on a club ride?
Yes you do, you need to attend a briefing with our Membership Secretary and complete our introductory ride first.
- How do I join?
It's quite simple - adults see here and youths see here.
- What does it cost?
All members pay an annual subscription.
Adult membership: First claim: £30 (plus SS Jersey £76 +p&p in the first year), Second claim: £24, Associate (non-riding): £6.
Youth membership: Youth (under 18) £6, Youth (Road): £12
Family membership: £30 (includes one Standard (first or second claim) Member + one Associate Member + Any number of Youths)
Racing team: by invite only, please contact Doug, our
- Can families join?
Yes, we offer a 'family package' which includes an adult subscription (First or Second claim) plus one Associate (non-riding) subscription (for the partner of the adult member) and/or any number of their children (youth subscription(s)) for the price of just the single adult (First claim) subscription fee. See details here.
- What distance and speed do members cycle on club rides?
We offer a wide range of rides on Sundays. We aim to have 10 pace groups ranging from 13 to 20 mph average speed. Rides are typically 40-50 miles with one café stop at the half-way point. We ride in groups of up to 10 with trained and experienced leaders. The run leaders ensure that the group keeps together and that no one is left behind! If it is your first time out with the club, choose a group that is slower than you think you will settle in, try to arrive early and introduce yourself to the leader. Routes are normally shared in advance via the #pace channel on Slack (our member's forum, see about Slack below). You can also use Slack to introduce yourself to a group.
- How fit do I need to be to join a club ride?
You should have recently ridden at least 50 miles at an average of 13 mph or more, on a route which should have included some hills (as you cannot avoid hills around St Albans)! Please discuss the appropriate group to join with our
- If someone is unable to keep up with the group, do you wait for them?
Yes, we don’t leave anyone behind! The pace is generally that of the slowest rider. However, please refer to the above point on which group to join. Before taking part, you should assess which ride group would be most appropriate for you - please heed the advice of Peter, our
- Do you stop for a refreshment break on club runs?
Yes, a café stop is a feature of our club runs. Occasionally, and more often in the winter, a leader may decide to organise a non-stop ride. This will be made clear. These are usually shorter, 35 to 40 miles and loop out and back from St Albans.
- What sort of bike do I need?
A road worthy, road bike with drop handle bars and either rim or disc brakes. E-bikes are allowed but only in our slower paced groups. Please ask Peter, our
- Do I need any specific insurance?
Yes, you need to have third-party liability insurance, requiring a specific policy which is rarely included in any general household, property or bike insurance policy. Third Party Liability (also known as Public or Personal Liability) Insurance, protects you as an individual against third party claims for personal injury or damage to property. This type of specialist insurance is often included in membership of associations like British Cycling or Cycling UK - see more here.
- What do I need to bring with me?
Puncture repair kit/spare inner tube, pump and/or gas, cash or card for refreshments and some fuel (gels, bars) in your pocket. More advice can be found here.
- Is there a discussion group I can join to find out more about the Club?
We have a Facebook Page, Twitter and Instagram channels that you can follow, as well as a Facebook Group that you can see and join once you're a member. Members also have access to Slack which is our private members forum.
- Do you have details of other cycling clubs in the area?
There are several other cycling clubs in and around Hertfordshire, including:
- Bishop’s Stortford Cycling Club: http://www.bs-cc.org/
- Cycle Club Ashwell (North Herts): http://www.ccashwell.com/
- Dunstable Road Cycling Club: http://www.dunstableroadcyclingclub.co.uk/
- Herts Wheelers: https://herts-wheelers.org.uk/
- North Road Cycling Club (Hertford): http://www.northroadcc.org.uk/
- Stevenage Cycling Club: http://www.stevenagecc.org.uk/
- Stevenage & North Herts CUK: http://www.stevenagectc.org.uk/
- South Hertfordshire CUK: http://www.southhertsctc.org.uk/
- Watton Wheelers: http://www.wattonwheelers.org.uk/
- Welwyn Wheelers Cycling Club: http://www.welwynwheelers.org.uk/
- Watford Velo: https://www.watfordvelo.com/
- What is Slack?
Slack is a private member-only online platform we use which has channels for different topics, including a channel for each club run pace group. Members use these channels to share information with each other.
Cyclo-cross (CX)
CCXL - Crossmas! Sunday 7th December 2025
We're hosting round 9 of the CCXL Cyclo-cross season this year, it's called Crossmas as Santa will be visiting us all soon after and there will be prizes for the best festive outfits!! The event will be held at Ashlyns School in Berkhamsted.
To Enter and for more details, see here (coming soon) and VCC members, check out the #cyclocross-n-gravel channel on Slack.
Helpers required!
Putting this event on takes quite a bit of organisation (a shout out in particular to Neill Hughes) and a fair few helpers, so if you can help ahead of the day please message Neill (via Slack) and if you can help on the day, please go here (coming soon) and select a slot!
About Cyclo-cross
Skinny tyres, mud, short, sharp off-road races, with hurdles, obstacles and intense action. This is cyclo-cross, a form of off-road racing that predates mountain biking by decades!
Cyclo-cross is one of the most accessible forms of cycle sport, with racing for everyone from young kids to not so young kids! Throughout the autumn and winter, it’s probably taking place in a park near you...
Cyclo-cross takes place in off-road venues such as public parks and other open spaces. Surfaces can include grass, mud, gravel and sand. Courses are short and winding, enabling multiple laps to be completed within a set distance. Courses often feature obstacles such as hurdles and sand pits, forcing riders to dismount and carry or run with their bikes. Some courses are more ‘technical’ than others, featuring tight single-track trails, tree roots and other obstacles.
Cyclo-cross races are multi-lap events usually lasting for an hour for senior riders, with shorter distances for other categories. At the end of the set time, a bell is rung signifying the last lap, known as the ‘bell lap’. Racing seldom sees large bunches forming due to the nature of the terrain, with groups of two or three riders forming at the most. Cyclo-cross is often a personal battle between the rider and the course, making it engaging for riders of all abilities. There’s no ‘getting dropped from the bunch’ in cyclo-cross.
Cyclo-cross bikes
Cyclo-cross bikes are from a distance, very similar to road bikes, with 700c wheels, rigid frames and forks and dropped handlebars. However, there are significant differences; cyclo-cross bikes have wider knobbly tyres, slighter lower gearing, different frame geometry, more clearance for mud and either cantilever or disc brakes.
Kit and clothing
Jersey
Cyclo-cross is predominantly an autumn and winter sport, so it’s important to dress according to the weather. Adjust your base layer according to the conditions, but be careful not to overdress as you will be working hard!
Shorts
Traditionally, skin-suits are worn for cyclo-cross, but you can also pair your jersey with regular bib-shorts. One piece skin-suits are probably warmer as they can’t ride up exposing your back and there are no pockets to catch handlebars or pedals when carrying the bike.
Helmet
As with all forms of cycle sport in the UK, a helmet is compulsory for cyclo-cross and your regular road helmet is ideal. Despite the fact you’re racing through the coldest winter months, you’ll soon be overheating in a cross race so you’ll still be grateful of the cooling vents.
Cyclo-cross events
Cyclo-cross racing is an autumn and winter sport, with well-organised leagues throughout the country. Races are easily accessible, often only requiring a day licence to take part. For local events, you don’t need even need a dedicated cyclo-cross bike, you can have a go on any decent cross-country mountain bike.
For more information on British Cycling organised cyclo-cross events go here. Need any advice, ask
Central Cyclocross League - CCXL
The 2025/26 season is now underway with another challenging race calendar for the coming season.
League affiliation is now open, and you can join as an affiliated rider here. You do not need to be a member of the league to race in CCXL events. However there are benefits to being affiliated, which include:
Reduced entry fees
Online League Standings
Gridding (non affiliated riders will not be gridded)
And if for any reason rider numbers have to be limited, affiliates have priority
Check out the CCXL homepage for affiliation and race day schedule.
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