A CYCLING club is enjoying a post-Olympic surge in pedal power in its 93rd year.
Glendene cycling club has seen membership rise and its existing riders putting in more training hours following Britain's cycling successes in the London 2012 Games and the Tour de France.
The Navestock Side-based group was established in 1921 and is open to anyone. It has junior and senior teams competing across the country with many sponsored professional cyclists. The club has male and female members, 175 cyclists in total.
Colin Mannakee, 66, who lives in Braintree, is chairman of the club and is the British veteran road race champion.
He said: "I have been chairman for 30 years and am proud to be part of the largest cycling group in the area.
"We are based in Brentwood and meet every Wednesday evening at Navestock Side Village Hall and cycle from Blackmore at the weekends. Everyone is welcome to join the club and we are proud that around 15 per cent of our members are female."
Lloyd Chapman, 19, joined Glendene last October.
He said: "Since the Olympics lots of people upped their game and started wanting to improve their performance. There have also been more people wanting to join the club.
"I was told Glendene was a good club with lots of professionals and I was asked if I wanted to represent them in races. I hope to become professional in the next couple of years and I'm prepared for lots of hard work."
The group has had some very prestigious cyclists over the years including Alex Dowsett, former member of Team Sky who now rides for Spanish team Movistar, Jonny Bellis who has represented Britain on the track and the road, and Peter Kennaugh, who also rides for Team Sky.
Last year's drugs scandal involving Lance Armstrong has brought negative attention to cycling but Mr Chapman assures it is not something his club would ever get involved in.
He said: "If anyone was found to be using drugs they would be taken straight out of the club.
"Drugs are something I would never consider. The scandal has not been good for cycling's publicity but I think we should focus on the true role models like Cavendish and Wiggins."
Mr Chapman added: "Recently I've seen so many more people out on their bikes, which is great.
"Cyclists always nod when they see other riders out – that's not something you get in other sports, like running for instance. That's what I like about cycling – it's very sociable.
"The club is one that once you join you never leave as everyone is so friendly and supportive. Glendene teams have been doing really well this year and the youngsters have been really successful winning trophies."
Among the young talent alongside Mr Chapman is Bryony Board, 17, Daniel Young, 19, Daniel Snow, 19, and Josh Green, 19.
All five riders aspire to be professionals and ride together in preparation for competing in races.
Mr Mannakee explained: "Bryony, who is from Brentwood, is doing really well and is a potential Essex champion who may go on to nationals. She is definitely one to watch."
The members of Glendene cycling club come from all around Brentwood and across the county with many members based further afield.
There are cyclists from Yorkshire and Cornwall and one member who competes under the club name in New Zealand.
