Harrogate Nova Cycling Club

Harrogate Nova Cycling Club, Harrogate’s oldest and most iconic cycling club, was formed in 1971 through the amalgamation of Harrogate C.C. and Harrogate St. Christophers CC. This merger created a strong foundation for what has become a thriving racing and social cycling community in North Yorkshire.

For the first 15 years, the driving force behind the club was Warren Considine. He dedicated himself immensely, taking on all official positions—sometimes holding two roles simultaneously—to keep the club running smoothly and growing.

Harrogate Nova Cycling Club

Harrogate Nova Cycling Club

Harrogate Nova Cycling Club

New Year, New Venue: Cyclo-cross arrives in Pateley Bridge

For the first time, Pateley Bridge will welcome one of the region’s most popular winter cycling events as Novacross Cyclo-Cross moves to the Nidderdale Showground on New Year’s Day.

If you’re looking for something energetic to shake off the festive excess, this is a brilliant way to start 1 January.

Why this year’s Novacross is different

  • Brand-new location – the spacious Nidderdale Showground replaces Ripley Castle, offering more room and better viewing

  • Scenic setting – racing in the heart of Nidderdale, surrounded by winter countryside

  • Improved access – easier for riders, families and spectators alike

  • More technical racing – organisers have greater freedom to shape the course

What to expect on the course

  • Compact, multi-lap circuit

  • Mix of grassland and tarmac

  • Designed to test:

    • bike handling

    • speed

    • endurance

Classic cyclo-cross conditions — fast, technical and spectator-friendly.

Race schedule at a glance 

  • Start: 9.45am (Under 9s)

  • Races: 7 throughout the day

  • Categories include:

    • Under 9s & youth

    • Women

    • Open

    • Veterans

    • Over 70s

Cyclo-cross is one of the few sports where multiple generations race on the same day, adding to the atmosphere.

A New Year tradition — now in Nidderdale

The event is promoted by Harrogate Nova Cycling Club and regularly attracts hundreds of riders and spectators. Expect cowbells, encouragement from the sidelines and a lively New Year crowd.

Riders are already signed up from:

  • across Yorkshire

  • Hampshire

  • Scotland

— highlighting the event’s growing national appeal.

Thinking of going?

  • Spectators: welcome and free to watch

  • Riders: entries still open

  • Best for: families, cycling fans, New Year walkers looking for something different

👉 Tip: arrive early to catch the junior races and soak up the atmosphere as the day builds.

For entries and full details, visit Harrogate Nova Cycling Club online and make your New Year’s Day an active one.

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The Sunday club run has long been the backbone of the cycling club, consistently attracting strong turnouts. Long-standing members recall classic summer rides into Teesdale and the Howgills, alongside challenging winter routes in deep snow across Pockstones Moor, Deadman’s Hill and Dallowgill—rides that helped define the club’s enduring cycling heritage.

On the racing side we promoted an open 50 mile TT, known as the last chance 50, because it was the last qualifying BAR event of the season. In 1997 Kevin Dawson set a National Record of 1.37.26. Between 1975 and 1985 the Club was also heavily involved in the Harrogate Festival of Cycling, which brought cyclists from all over the world to compete at Harrogate.

During the 70’s and 80’s Bob Johnson organised a number of Road Races, using the Follifoot, Markington, and Hilly 19 Circuits. In the 1970’s we had 2 Roadmen who were amongst the best in Yorkshire, both rode the tour of Britain, they were Keith McArthur and Roy Taylor. Roy also competed in Warsaw-Prague-Berlin (Peace Race) 14 day stage race. Possibly the most gruelling amateur race in the world. Keith can still be seen riding in the lanes on his mountain bike wearing his white Carrera jersey.

It was in the late 70’s that the Evening League was started by Keith Thompson (Knaresborough CC) and sponsored by Ackrill Newspapers, with Nova and North Yorkshire Couriers taking part. Keith sadly died in 2000 and Vaughan & Margaret Caswell took over the running of the League. Shortly afterwards Ackrill’s stopped their sponsorship, but thanks to the efforts of Chris Mawer we obtained generous sponsorship from John and Richard Schumacher of Fulford Cycles of York. Since 2013 the league has been sponsored by Beech House Dental Practice thanks to Roger Bromiley. In 2010, an average of over 30 members took part on Wednesday evenings.

In 1980’s membership started to decline – Vaughan & Margaret Caswell joined the Nova as first claim members and took over the running of the Club. Membership slowly increased and then in the early millennium an upsurge in cycling took place, mainly through the running of Sportives and Charity Events.

We have always been more of a social club, trying to encourage more Women to be involved, and this is borne out that we have always had a good attendance at our Annual Dinner & Prize Presentation, held in 2022 in The Yorkshire Hotel.

In the last 10 years, Harrogate has been blessed with world class bike racing. The Tour de France stage one finish (2014), Tour de Yorkshire stage two finish (2017) and UCI World Road Cycling Championships (2019).

The cycling enthusiasm that swept Harrogate was a catalyst for Harrogate Nova Junior coaching to meet demand! Now youngsters can start with youth coaching in Harrogate on a Tuesday, and as they get older and gain experience, go to the Brownlee Circuit in Leeds on a Monday (with three other local clubs), and then a Thursday.  A talent ladder supported by Nova coaches, that has produced national champions.

Today, the club has strong Saturday club rides with different ability groups starting and finishing at Prologue Café on the Cold Bath Road. We runs a February Reliability Ride as part of the Yorkshire reli series, promotes a road race, open TT, and a Summer Cyclo-Cross race, and most years a NovaCross Winter Cyclo-Cross. The Evening League TT series remains a favourite amongst members, and as a racing club, we are seeking to support all riders perform at their best.