Club of the Year

International success may come and go but as long as people are riding bikes one thing will always remain —cycling clubs. The bedrock of the sport, clubs provide many with their first taste of cycling. From kids riding their first bike to retirees rediscovering their youth, a good club can do as much for the future of the sport as can a British Grand Tour winner.

With over 70 entries for this award, this was undoubtedly the toughest category to slim down. It’s encouraging to see so many clubs doing such incredible work. With so little to choose between many of the entrants, the judging panel had to set some criteria. The four shortlisted clubs all had a good mix of male and female riders, were Go-ride accredited and all of them promoted multiple club and open events during the year. Brian Cookson says:

“I first joined a club in 1965, when club life was a regular feature of being a cyclist. Then came a period of decline, when many club memberships dwindled. But today I can say that I have never seen so many dynamic and brilliant clubs in so many of our cities, towns and villages.

They are the very cornerstone of our sport.”

Simon Richardson says: “Every week we run a ‘Ride With’ feature where we ride with a British club. I’m permanently surprised by the strength of our club scene. It’s the club riders out on the roads week in, week out that make cycling what it is — so much more than just a sport.”

In association with Santini