In the latest of my club profiles, I have been speaking to Russell Wright of Teesside-based Manilla Cycling. If you would like your club featured email matt.westcott@nne.co.uk

Matt: Why and when was the club formed?

Russell: The club was formed in 2013 by an enthusiastic group of cyclists who wanted to create a racing team with the inclusive feel of a traditional cycling club.

Matt: When do you meet and where at?

Russell: We have various rides throughout the week but the main event is the Sunday club run which meets outside Thornaby NRG 0930 every week. This is a decent paced ride for three to four hours, including a café stop with different routes each week.

The club has children’s coaching sessions each Saturday from 9am in the carpark of Hartlepool College of Further Education and we host an evening training session at Prissick circuit in Middlesbrough every Wednesday throughout the winter. These sessions are open to everyone, but the Wednesday night training is for those riders looking to race.

Members will often have further group rides throughout the week and these will be posted up on the club’s facebook page.

Matt: What type of riders does your club appeal to?

Russell: We hope that our club appeals to all types of riders, but predominantly we are a club built around racing. We have a thriving Junior, Youth and Under23 team that has achieved some notable results nationwide and this is supported by our Saturday morning kids training, we see this as the future of the club going forward. The mainstay of the club is our senior team who represent the club week in week out at a regional level.

Matt: How much does it cost and what do you get for your membership?

Russell: It costs £15 for Under 23s and £35 for Seniors. Members get discounted access to the Club’s winter sessions as well as weekly team only training. As a club we have bikes and equipment available for those looking to try out cycling without a big financial commitment and anyone wanting to develop and progress from novice to regular racing will be supported with kit and training.

Matt: What are the aims of the club?

Russell: The aim of Manilla Cycling has always been to offer novice racers a friendly and pressure free environment from which to train and start competing and this is still our ethos going forward. We are currently developing our youth section with the help of our Sport England grant and we hope to achieve accreditation as a Go Ride club in the near future.

Matt: How can people get in touch?

Russell: Anyone interested in enquiring about membership or finding out more can email us at info@manillacycling.co.uk or message us on facebook, twitter or Instagram. There is also lots of information on our website www.manillacycling.co.uk