News & Features
RTTC National Circuit Championships The Vipers, an iconic 8 mile circuit in the heart of Essex. The home of the Shaftesbury Cycling Club and its popular 10 mile TT series. For the past two years the circuit has been the host of the Essex Cycling Championships, with James Jenkins & Louise Robinson being the current holders in the TT category and Colin Ward and Paulina Matthews holding the road bike titles. In 2026, the Vipers will be used to decide the National Circuit Champion, who will win the coveted champions jerseys in the first national championships of the season? The event will be run over an 18 mile version of the circuit comprising 2 full laps and then a final charge to the finish line in Blackmore. On your journey you will travel through the picturesque villages of Blackmore, Fryerning & Mill Green. This popular & challenging sporting course will be an excellent testing ground for all who enter, the winners will truly deserve to wear the champions jersey!
The rolling parcours suit riders able to pace well and your handling will be tested with the technical nature of the circuit. With the majority of the circuit having been resurfaced in the past 12 months the scene has been set for what will be a fantastic showdown between the strongest riders across the nation. !! New for 2026: Champions Jerseys will be awarded for both Road Bike & TT Bike Categories !!
*All competitors will receive free cake and coffee when signing out https://www.cyclingtimetrials.org.uk/events/42614-rttc-national-circuit-championship The Shaftesbury Cycling Club, Est 1888 In early Spring of 1888 a group of riders from the Cycling Section of the Y.M.C.A. Conference Hall, West Ham Lane, Stratford refused to accept a law prohibiting them from riding on a Sunday. They disassociated themselves, and with the support of Lord Shaftesbury, the seventh Earl, and great social worker for whom the club is named, formed a club at Forest Gate Hotel. Shaftesbury Cycling Club remains one of the oldest continually existing sporting clubs in the world. Established less than 3 years after the invention of the modern bicycle, "The Shaftesbury" has thrived for almost 140 years. From its headquarters by the picturesque windmill at Mountnessing Village Hall in Essex, Shaftesbury CC blends the finest traditions of the local UK club cycling scene with a modern and forward looking presence, a full roster of events, generous benefits, and friendly and inclusive attitude.
Whether a complete beginner, veteran plodder, or dedicated racing athlete, "The Shaftesbury" offers support, advice, and friendship to every rider. It is truly remarkable what the bicycle can do for those that recognise its near magical properties for the soul and adventure. Joining our club helps unlock that potential, expand opportunity, and build pride in being a part of history. The Vipers Circuit, Est 1889 Just one year after the formation of the club, in 1889, a beer house “The Viper Inn” was opened in the woodland area near Mill Green in Essex. The pub is still a popular destination today for walkers and cyclists alike. It supplies the name for the 8 mile circuit used by the Shaftesbury for its popular weekly TT series.
In 2026 it will play host to the RTTC National Circuit Championships. An 18 mile 2 ⅓ lap version will see riders take on the descent of the “Vipers Esses”, the short & sharp “Fryerning Bump” and many other features of this technical and challenging course through the Essex countryside and historic woodlands. Captains Welcome Welcome to The Shaftesbury and to our home course. We are delighted to welcome all riders, officials and supporters, and hope you enjoy the opportunity to race on roads that are so closely linked with our club. The event is a celebration of cycling, bringing together competitors of all ages and abilities in a spirit of challenge, camaraderie and sportsmanship.
We wish every entrant the very best and hope you have a memorable and enjoyable race. Rider Quotes I can't wait to race the National Circuit Champs this year on roads that I've grown up riding on for years. I've had a lot of fun the last couple of years racing the Essex Champs on this circuit. It's always left, right, up, down so there's a lot to think about, and executing a smart ride is almost as important as being fit and strong. - James Jenkins (Hart Performance Cycling) - Essex Open TT Champion 2025 Good luck to all the riders! You're in for a treat - the Vipers course is one of my favourite local training loops - it is a fun albeit not an easy course to tame, with fast straights and bendy descents, surprising short sharp Essex category 'hills' and a few sharp left turns. You'll be rewarded with resurfaced roads (no more horrible potholes!) and lovely views of Essex countryside and forests..and maybe even bluebells! Have a fun race, go hard and tame the Vipers! - Paulina Mozal (Chelmer CC) - Essex Female Road Bike Champion 2025 Quote to follow - Colin Ward (Primo RT) - Essex Open Road Bike Champion 2025