We are back being "in the chop" is an Aussie expression that you won't read about in the UCI rulebook. It's one of the many nuances of bike racing that only comes with experience.

Sometimes when you're in a race and find yourself in the final break-away bunch you might get asked "are we in the chop?" or "are we chopping it?". This is referring to collusion between the lead riders to work together until the finish. Many times a break-away will be doomed in the final kilometres because everyone starts playing cat and mouse, attacking, sitting up, etc.

But all that goes out the window in the last lap. This is generally where the group comes together and the final push begins. Working together goes out the window and is every man or woman for themselves for the final sprint to the line.

The Chop is a flat fast time-based handicap race. Do you always get blown out the back on the start of a multi grade race trying to hang onto the guy going with A grade pushing 5w/kg. Well not on The Chop. Released in Grades there are time splits from D to A with the intention of all coming together at the end for the big finish. Each Grade wears a different Zwift kit making each grade easily identifiable on who's wheel you want to catch if they go past.

Races happen on Tuesday evenings. We plan to add further races in the future. No single race has been the same. Many variables are at play on The Chop including course (which is generally a flat course), race numbers, and the inevitable sandbaggers. It has been called a team time trail and cat and mouse but the real racers know it only as "THE CHOP". Do you have what it takes to take the glory?


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