ABSTRACT
Drawing the raffle numbers' is a phrase with provenance in grassroots English cycling clubs where enthusiasts and volunteers organise time-trialling events on a minimal budget –- hence the need to subsidise the running of the event by raising funds through donated raffle prizes. The chapter considers the potential importance of grassroots English time-trialling scene for success of English cyclists in international cycling events. It provides some of the key aspects of the development of time-trialling in order to highlight its very English history. The chapter explains how its enduring success and unique characteristics were of considerable importance to the survival and development of road cycle racing in Britain amidst changing attitudes towards racing on public roads. It argues that success of some of the best English cyclists in world is related to honing of their skills in English cycling clubs and could be due, at least in part, to their participation in English time-trial scene during their formative years.
