Happy New 'Centenary' Year! It seems like only yesterday we were updating you on preparations for our Centenary Year and like a flash we are here!
So let me bring you up-to-speed with the Club’s plans for celebrating this momentous occasion. A full schedule is posted, and regularly updated, on the special events web page and sign-up is mostly on Spond.
Let’s reflect
Club member Dave Portwood has been documenting a fascinating history of the Club and Newbury Cycling from its earliest roots. Check the latest chapters on our 100 website page here. We plan to bring that history to life with an exhibition, launching at the Town Hall on 15 March, before moving to a longer residency at the West Berkshire Museum from 9 April – 18 May. The exhibition will be supported by some evening talks by Dave in April and May. Please support these events by attending or volunteering. All will be posted on Spond.
Let’s celebrate
The Social Team have organised two events for members to relax and celebrate our Centenary together. On 22 June, we will host a Centenary Summer Ride, rolling into Hermitage Village Hall for an afternoon of live music, food and of course a chance to raise a glass to our great Club. Members, partners, family and friends will be welcome.
Then on 27 November our Annual Dinner and 2025 Awards Ceremony will be hosted at Newbury and Crookham Golf Club, with guest speakers and other activities, giving us a chance to reflect on the Anniversary year we will have enjoyed.
Let’s ride!
Our celebrations would not be complete without some special rides to supplement our regular weekly activities. Our now annual European trip, to Riccione in Italy in May, is fully booked! On 3–6 October we have teamed up with the Royal Cycle Club, Eeklo, Belgium (Newbury’s Twin Town) for a weekend of cycling, exploring local WW1 history and beer on their annual Trappist ride! Places are still available but get in touch ASAP if you are interested.
Also planned are a re-creation of the first NRC ride in 1925 to Bagshot, a local café orienteering ride offering lots of opportunity for cake and much more.
A special Centenary-themed 10-mile TT will be held on the 2 July when members and TT riders will be encouraged to bring out bikes (any type) with a special trophy for the event. If you have a classic bike even better!
Let’s be proud!
As a reminder, we introduced a special Anniversary kit design which looks stunning, especially out on the road in a group. Items will be available to purchase again during kit shop opening windows. So, if you haven’t got yours yet, watch out for announcements from the kit master.
And there’s more …
Through our Anniversary we want to raise the profile of Newbury Road Club and of cycling in general across the community.
Our Centenary has been the catalyst for a Newbury Cycle Festival which is scheduled to take place on 14 June. The event is being jointly developed with Newbury Velo and Spokes Cycle Club with the support and encouragement of Newbury Town Council, West Berkshire Council, Newbury BID and many others.
It will take the form of a large parade of all cycles throughout history through the town to Victoria Park, where there will be numerous cycling related activities and attractions. The event will be free and open to members of the public. It is still in the preparation stage so watch out for formal announcements in the press. Please save the date as we want as much support and as many volunteers as we can muster.
And, as a gift to all local cyclists, NRC Centenary-branded track pumps are to be distributed in the coming weeks to twenty of our favourite cafes for use by all. Watch out for posts on our ‘share-the air’ initiative.
Finally, I want to thank all the members that have worked so hard to get us where we are, and I look forward to enjoying the Centenary year with you all on the road and beyond!
David Glenn
NRC 100 Anniversary Lead
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