Verulam Cycling Club has been named community club of the year at the St Albans District Sports Awards.

Herts Advertiser: Verulam CC members getting ready for a rideVerulam CC members getting ready for a ride (Image: Archant)

The club picked up the trophy at a lavish ceremony last week and it follows what has been a very successful year.

Membership numbers have increased across the club, both in the adult and junior sections, and they have been actively involved in promoting cycling across Hertfordshire.

Club chairman Doug Driscoll said: “This represents another great year for Verulam Cycling Club in which we have seen record membership numbers rising to near 500.

“There is a wonderful sense of camaraderie and diversification of activities in the club and I have been overwhelmed at the selfless contributions made by our members helping at all of the events we have promoted over the year.

“Trying to pick an “unsung hero of the year” would be a truly daunting task.”

Driscoll says events like the Welwyn Petit Tour, run in collabaration with Kinetic Cycles and hailed as the biggest cycle event in Hertfordshire, have helped “raise our profile and get us noticed”.

As well as the Petit Tour, the club support the Chiltern 100 Sportive every year, an event they set-up eight years ago but now run by Human Race, which attracts 2,000 riders every year.

And they have also helped promote and run verteran circuit races at Hog Hill in Redbridge as well as the Fete du Velo, organised by The Bike Loft, and held around the Common in Redbourn.

However it is the youth development programme that has proven a real source of pride.

Driscoll added: “The club has invested in training for our coaches and subsidises access to the excellent facilities at the track velodrome at Gosling Sports Park for Saturday afternoon coaching sessions.

“We have 50 youngsters ranging from five to 18 taking part and learning basic racing skills in a secure environment.

“Every week is a buzz of fun and enjoyment.”