Meet our groups: A century of cycling in West Berkshire

Newbury Road Club (NRC) is the beating heart of cycling in West Berkshire. Celebrating its centenary in 2025, the club’s heritage stretches back 150 years. With deep roots in the racing scene and a history peppered with local legends, NRC now boasts more than 230 members – and it’s still growing fast.

But it hasn’t all been smooth riding. Just six years ago club membership had dwindled. Regular riders were few, female and junior participation was almost non-existent, and a newly formed local club had halved the membership overnight. A turning point was needed – and in 2020, it arrived.

What’s happened since has been nothing short of transformational.

Today, NRC runs multiple club rides every week and has thriving women’s and time-trial sections. We spoke to current Chair, Lorraine Murrell, about the club’s extraordinary revival, the key to its resurgence, and what lies ahead for Newbury Road Club.

Success after the split

Club splits aren’t uncommon, especially in long-standing organisations. But when it happened in Newbury, it sent shockwaves through the remaining NRC members. It was a wake-up call.

The club had become complacent. It had stopped evolving and, crucially, stopped listening. That disconnect was a big part of why the split happened. But it also sparked something: a renewed energy to regroup and rebuild – or risk fading out altogether.

A new committee stepped in and led a transformation. We refreshed the brand, launched a new website and kit, and ran a member survey to find out what people really wanted. While racing remained part of our DNA, members also wanted more inclusive, social riding.

So that’s what we delivered. We introduced a simple ride sign-up app, added regular weekend, midweek and evening rides, prioritised beginner support and launched a dedicated women’s group. The results? They speak for themselves.

Encouraging involvement

Supporting our members – and being supported by them – is part of what makes NRC tick. As membership grew and rides multiplied, it became clear we needed more ride leaders. So we built our own training programme, based on industry best practice and real-world experience.

Today, we have over 40 trained ride leaders running more than 600 rides a year. Their contribution has gone far beyond leading rides. It’s sparked wider involvement across the club.

We’ve since introduced first aid training, which saw strong uptake, and our members now regularly volunteer, not just at NRC events, but in the wider community too, such as our local parkrun.

Sense of community

What truly sets NRC apart today is its sense of community –  and that comes from the members themselves. It’s more than just a cycling club; it’s an extended family.

Members ride together, look out for one another and form genuine friendships. They know each other’s routines, notice when someone’s missing, and check in when needed.

Whether it’s a phone call, a visit, or a lift to a coffee stop, no one’s left behind. That’s what makes this club special.

Meeting members’ needs

We survey our members and act on what they tell us. That’s how our women’s ride programme has grown and why, last year, we appointed a Junior Development Lead to engage young riders through local schools.

We’re also working with other clubs on a Couch-to-50km programme for complete beginners, and plan to launch electric bike rides to challenge the myth that clubs aren’t for battery-powered bikes. In fact, we’ve got plenty of e-riders at NRC.

We run a varied and popular programme of out-of-the-saddle social events throughout the year and organise regular overseas trips. This year’s trip to Italy attracted more than 60 members.

During Covid, we launched a Women’s Ride Group to tackle barriers like road confidence and technical know-how. By offering regular, inclusive rides, building community spirit and focusing on enjoyment as much as fitness, we’ve attracted over 60 women riders.

Ongoing growth is supported through seasonal rides, dedicated female organisers and expanding ride options.

Welcoming more women

We create a relaxed, inclusive space where all women feel supported, regardless of experience. Rides cater to various speeds, welcome all bike types, and prioritise encouragement over competition.

Many women say they’ve achieved more than they ever imagined, thanks to the fun, friendly environment and encouragement from like-minded cyclists.

We are passionate about addressing the imbalance of women cycling and were delighted to support Cycling UK’s ‘My ride. Our right’ campaign by bringing a glow ride to Newbury in October in collaboration with two other Newbury cycling clubs.

I regularly see women riders taking on challenges they would not have thought possible before they started riding with us. One who springs to mind is Kirsten Bailkoski. After joining NRC as a novice cyclist, Kirsten was inspired by a club social evening to take on Land's End to John O’Groats.

Despite lacking fitness and confidence, she embraced the challenge, supported by the NRC Women’s Rides. Their encouragement helped her overcome fears, train hard and complete a life-changing 1,000-mile cycling journey across Britain.

Events success

The Newbury Cycle Festival was a great success and a centrepiece of our club’s centenary. Organising the festival taught us the power of inclusive community celebration.

By building a free, open-invite grand parade – welcoming everyone and every bike, from Penny Farthings to balance bikes – we saw how colourful variety creates broad public appeal and delight.

The event worked because it connected cycling heritage, local clubs, volunteers and partners – from Cycling UK to local councils – turning planning and coordination into something the whole community could take pride in.

A packed local park brimmed with fun cycling activities, expert speakers and mechanical advice: proof that blending fun, fitness, education and practical support strengthens impact.

The Big Summer Bash was our member’s centenary party. Over 100 members and guests enjoyed a light‑hearted cycling treasure hunt across West Berkshire countryside, followed by live music, excellent food and heartfelt recognition of long‑serving members: staples of camaraderie and club heritage.

Events like this foster community spirit by celebrating shared history, encouraging friendly teamwork and reinforcing personal connections – helping riders feel part of something bigger, bonded by fun, tradition and mutual pride.

Events like the Newbury Cycle Festival and Big Summer Bash inject fresh energy by making cycling accessible, fun and family friendly. They break down barriers, showcase our club’s inclusive culture, and draw in a broader audience – from curious newcomers to lapsed riders – who often go on to ride with and join the club.

Grow and evolve

At Newbury Road Club, we’re constantly evolving to meet our members’ needs and the latest cycling trends.

Cycling, especially social cycling, demands more time than many other sports like running. As a result, like many clubs, our membership tends to skew towards those with more free time.

To address this, we’ve introduced a range of rides – shorter, faster and some during weekday evenings – to better suit those with limited time on weekends or who work during the week. And our chain-gang rides provide a great training ground for those who are racing.

We’re also focused on making competitive cycling more accessible to juniors through a schools outreach programme, helping to bring in the next generation of riders.

Interestingly, our club’s ‘Road’ heritage goes back to the 1920s when racing became legal again on public roads. While time-trialling is enjoying a resurgence this year, we’re also seeing growing interest in off-road disciplines like gravel. I expect these will become a larger part of what we offer in the coming years.

Some of our biggest-growing sectors have been women members, e-bikes and also a cohort of faster riders. We’ll keep fostering these groups, and hopefully dedicated e-bike rides will act as a stepping stone for new members into many of the club’s rides, much like our women’s rides have done.

Newbury Road Club is dynamic and open to new ideas. We’re fortunate to have a membership that embraces change and initiatives that get more people riding. That’s exactly what we want.