Most Sussex clubs are members of the Surrey Cycle Racing League which has grown over the past 18 years.

The League now embraces clubs from neighbouring counties and has become one of the most successful organisations in the country.

The league's secretary, Keith Butler from Purley, is a former national road race champion and riding for England, won a stage of the 1963 Milk Race when it finished at Grand Avenue, Hove.

The aim of the league is to encourage cycling at grassroots level.

Last year 563 riders gained points in the league's championship and shared a prize payout of over £22,000.

The league's many promotions include the evening races at Goodwood motor circuit, the Goodwood Gallops, which are held every Tuesday from May to September.

There is a separate Goodwood Championship and the senior races regularly attract fields of 100 riders. The juvenile races are also well supported and Bognor Regis CC's Liam Terry finished second in their championship last year.

The league also promotes the Revolutions five-day race in August. The race has national status and Worthing rider Chris McNamara (VC Etoile) finished tenth overall last year. McNamara also won a stage of the league's three day race at Easter.

Another of the league's success stories in 2000 was regular Goodwood rider Kieran Page, from the Isle of Wight, winning the national junior road race title.

Sussex winners of senior league road races last year included Steve Dennis (East Grinstead), Stuart Davies (Eastbourne Rovers), Steve Elms (In Gear) and Paul James (Crawley Wheelers).

The first of the league's weekly road races this year will be at Crowhurst, near East Grinstead, on March 17. The Goodwood circuit events start on May 1. For further details contact Littlehampton official Ray Betts at 01903 716519.