Newbury Road Club win West Berkshire Community Champion Award after successful group rides
Newbury Road Club’s Women’s Ride Group has won the West Berkshire Community Champion Award for Community Group of the Year.
The Community Champion Awards honour individuals and community groups who have gone above and beyond to support residents throughout West Berkshire.
This particular award recognises and rewards Newbury Road Club for the work it has done to encourage women to cycle, and the significant positive impact on the health, wellbeing and fitness of many ladies in West Berkshire.
Lorraine Murrell, the NRC Women’s Ride Leader, said: “Cycling, especially in groups, is shown to improve physical and mental well-being, as well as being good for the environment.
“However, research shows that women are much less likely to cycle than men, with a lack of road confidence, safety and technical know-how cited as main reasons.
“So, we decided to change all that and developed our Women’s Ride Group and it is no exaggeration to say that its impact has been transformative.
The club was nominated for the award by cyclist and club member, Lucy Hutchins. “I just love the spirit of this group,” she said. “The emphasis is on fun, as well as fitness, and the rides promote the opportunity to make new friends, discover new places and get out-and-about with like-minded women.
“I joined the first Women’s Group Ride in April and have seen so many new faces each month.”
NRC Chairman, Steve Dawes, explained, “The rides are planned and organised by a dedicated group of NRC lady members.
“Together they have nurtured, encouraged and supported cyclists, who return ride-after-ride, to build on their achievements.
“NRC has a fantastic programme of mixed-group weekday, weekend, evening and away day events, many ladies are regularly joining these rides too.”
There are plans to expand the Women’s Group activity further with longer supported rides, away-days and educational evenings on fitness, nutrition and basic bike maintenance.
The NRC Women’s Ride Group is closing the gender gap in cycling, has been widely embraced by local women and is a huge boost to local cycling.
Find out more about the Newbury Road Club Women’s Ride Group at: https://www.newburyroadclub.co.uk/womens-cycling or email women@newburyrc.co.uk