Local cyclists have better opportunities than ever to compete in or watch bunched racing with regular events on Tuesdays and Thursdays at Bournemouth's Barnsfield Heath circuit, and Goodwood on Tuesday evening.

Next Tuesday Crabwood CC are promoting their 50-kilometre heath road race at Dibden, supported by the Sotonia CC.

That makes three events in the same evening within 30 miles of Southampton.

It will be no excuse for riders to say that they have forgotten to enter - all events accept entries on the line.

Races are run under different rules requiring membership of British Cycling and the League International to compete in all events.

To complicate affairs, there is another organisation, the League of Veteran Racing Cyclists, running road races in the area.

The Thursday evening events at Barnsfield Heath are run under the rules of TLI, attracting fields of between 60 to 120 riders.

The Crabwood promotion has changed over to TLI rules this year and will be fighting for riders from the other two events.

The advantage is that TLI entry fees and racing licences are cheaper than those of BC.

They have 22 riders lined up and hoping for more. Favourites will be Steve Wallington (GS Europa.) and veteran champion Glenn Longland (Antelope RT), who puts in nearly as much energy into promoting events as racing these days.

Tuesday events at Barnsfield Heath and Goodwood are run under the rules of the official organisation British Cycling.

Barnsfield Heath races have been dominated by Winchester riders Neil Coleman (Alcan-Sun Chemicals) and Rob Hurd this year.

Today the Sotonia CC have 120 competitors plus four tandems for their ten-mile time trial at Shipton Bellinger.