A Brief History of Our Club
A young Club, with bags of history and community impact in just six years…
Newbury Velo Cycling Club was founded in November 2019 by Glen Knight, Rachael Elliot, Chris Bolton, Charlie Elsey, and Ian Greenstreet, launching at Banjo Cycles with a vision to create a modern, inclusive cycling community free from the constraints of traditional club structures. Within a year, the club had become West Berkshire’s largest, instantly recognisable by its bold pink and blue kit and its reputation for energy, openness, and innovation.
During the COVID‑19 pandemic, the club refused to stand still. Newbury Velo became the first in the country to deliver COVID‑safe competitive cycling events, running Club, Open, and even National time trials under strict protocols. Alongside this, the club created Velo Quests to keep members riding safely, and expanded its presence on Zwift, becoming one of the few clubs with its own custom in‑game kit. These efforts kept the community connected at a time when many clubs struggled to survive.
As the club grew, so did its ambitions. The Steelie Section was launched to celebrate vintage cycling culture, while the tandem project — first led by Glen and Rachael and later developed by Kevin Hurley — opened the door for blind and partially sighted riders to enjoy the freedom of cycling. This groundbreaking work helped Newbury Velo earn British Cycling’s Limitless Focus Club status in 2024, recognising its commitment to accessibility and inclusion.
The club’s achievements have continued to accelerate. Newbury Velo now plays an active role in shaping regional cycling policy through the West Berkshire Cycling Forum, and its commitment to community development is reflected in women‑only rides, maintenance workshops, and one of the most successful junior coaching programmes in the country. The club’s structured approach to group rides ensures that cyclists of all abilities feel welcome, with the ever‑popular coffee rides at the heart of club life.
Most recently, Newbury Velo has been recognised on the national stage, being named British Cycling Club of the Year in 2025, and also receiving Cycling Weekly’s Club of the Year award in the same season — a remarkable double achievement. The club has also become West Berkshire’s Home of Triathlon, continuing to push boundaries while staying true to its founding principles of inclusivity, community spirit, and a shared passion for cycling.
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Rachael Elliott
Founding Member, Former Secretary, Chair and current Race Secretary, inducted 2024
Newbury Velo was formed as a result of Rachael and four others breaking away from another cycling club and deciding to set up a club that broke the mould of a traditional cycling club. Together they created a vision of a family-friendly club that welcomed a diverse membership, coached children, and was accessible to anyone who rode a bike.
Having established the Club at the end of 2019, Rachael and the Club's first committee kept the community intact through Covid. They pioneered safe cycling events, becoming the first club in the country to host competitive rides under Covid-Safe regulations. This innovative approach led to Newbury Velo hosting several National TT races and growing its membership despite widespread activity restrictions. Through strategic leadership and adaptability, Newbury Velo quickly established itself as the largest cycling Club in Newbury.
The strong foundations laid during these challenging early days created an enduring legacy, with Newbury Velo emerging as a blueprint for modern cycling clubs that prioritise inclusivity, family participation, and diverse cycling interests. This forward-thinking approach has continued to shape the club's development and success.
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Kevin Hurley
Former Secretary, interim Chair and second Club President. Life Member, inducted 2025
Creator of the innovative Owl Rides, a concept that embodied social cycling and adventure. As a passionate ride leader, Kevin consistently supports cyclists of all skill levels, helping to nurture a welcoming and supportive Club environment. His establishment of the Steelie Section further showcased his ability to create welcoming and fun filled cycling activites within the cycling community that celebrated specific interests and always included the option of fish & chips at the end of a ride.
Perhaps most inspirationally, Kevin has led the tandem project since 2023, which provides blind and partially sighted people the opportunity to enjoy cycling, breaking down barriers and creating meaningful cycling experiences for those who might otherwise be excluded from the sport, and laying the foundations for Limitless Focus Club status with British Cycling.
Through his varied contributions, Kevin didn't just help to build a cycling club, he has played an important role in creating a cycling family, leaving an indelible mark on Newbury Velo. He continues to inspire members, championing accessibility, community, and the pure joy of cycling for everyone, often riding his trusty Mercian or Viscount Aerospace.
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Melanie Sneddon
Head Coach, mentor, and lead for the 2024 and 2025 Summer CX series, inducted 2026
Melanie is the club’s Lead Coach and the driving force behind the incredible growth of our junior section. What began as a tiny acorn of an idea has flourished under her guidance into a thriving, confident young‑riders programme that now stands as one of the strongest in the country. She has built and nurtured a coaching team that is widely admired for its skill, enthusiasm and ability to inspire children of all ages. Each term, Melanie oversees the coaching of more than 80 young riders, from those taking their very first steps on balance bikes to those learning advanced bike‑handling skills and even tackling ramps and stunt features. Her leadership, organisation and passion have shaped a programme that is both safe and ambitious, giving children the space to grow, progress and fall in love with cycling. The development of this coaching team played a major role in Newbury Velo being named British Cycling’s Club of the Year in 2025 — and remarkably, the club also received the same honour from Cycling Weekly in the very same year. Melanie’s contribution sits at the heart of that success, and her impact on the club’s future generations cannot be overstated.