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A little bit about us..
Having ridden solo for a while and seen groups of club riders on your journeys may well have given you the inspiration to join a club. But at V-Sprint we know this can feel like a double-edged sword, whilst you want that experience, you have those nagging doubts … “I’ll slow everyone down”; ”What if I get in the way”, “What if I cause an accident”, “is it all too serious”
But these fears are often much further from the truth than the distance of the first ride out with V-Sprint. Our objective is to Ride well, expand abilities, knowledge and skills, but most of all enjoy our cycling. Should it be a Social Ride to Purity Brewery a sunny summer Wednesday evening or hard Thursday night ride designed to push you out of your comfort zone, we will do our best to find a ride for you.
V-Sprint is based in Bromsgrove, Worcestershire. Founded in 2009 by James Varnish (former Cycle Speedway World Champion), and a small group of friends, the club has grown every year. With principal activities around road cycling, some club members also pursue interests in track, cyclo-cross and time trialling. There is a regular programme of weekly rides, together with other activities such as closed-circuit rides, sportive and training camps.
The club is open to men and women of all ages and abilities. We originally supported several women only rides, but as the club has progressed, we have grown a substantial female membership, which has meant it is far more beneficial to all to ensure all our rides cater for everyone.
Our Sunday ‘Development’ rides are excellent starting points, at around 35 miles they will test your stamina, but more importantly, as the name implies, develop your skills. From simple hand signals, to making the most of slipstreaming other riders we will offer as much advice as we can. As experience grows Development rides could be about growing strength on hills or increasing your speed. Then when you are ready try the club ride, but which ever ride you are on you can be assured, our no drop policy will ensure you aren’t left to fend for yourself miles from home.
In a group you will put a couple of miles per hour extra on your average speed, this does not necessarily mean it is going to be harder, the group dynamic surprises many first-time group riders. Most first time riders struggle a little with stamina on the first ride, but 3 or 4 rides in you will find that stamina is built, and we can always advise you how to improve your stamina outside of club rides.
But don’t listen to us …. listen to one of our new members. Kate joined us in 2020, here what she has to say about V-Sprint…
“I joined V Sprint back in July and was immediately made to feel very welcome. I hadn’t done much group cycling before, but straight away I was given some really good advice. The club has dealt brilliantly with the challenges that COVID has brought and has always followed the rules and taken all guidance seriously. Each week I have ridden with different people but everyone has been very friendly and there is a real club ethos. I would certainly recommend the club to all riders.”
Interested in joining V-Sprint?What equipment do I need to ride with V-Sprint?
Bike – Whilst some of our members enjoy mountain biking as well as road, our club rides are all on the road, so a road bike is essential, Cleated pedals are strongly advised, but if you have never ridden with cleats before, come and have a chat with us, so we can help you transition.
Spares –Inner tube, tyre levers and pump are essential, we advise a multi-tool, chain link and tyre patch for those emergency repairs, and always carry your mobile phone for emergencies. But the great thin about group rides is that there will always be someone there to offer advice or assistance if you get in to trouble.
Clothing – We have our own kit, we don’t insist that club members wear it on every ride, but we like to think our member feel it is good quality, a fair price and a design that means they want to wear it. Layers are important, your body temperature can change dramatically on a ride and being able to remove or add layers is essential.
Coffee Funds – The Coffee Stop is an essential part of any bike ride, most of our rides do not have a mid-ride coffee stop, we appreciate that family comes first, and on some occasions you may not want to stop for coffee. Having our stops at the end allow riders to join in if they want, but if they need to get away, they can.
Interested in joining V-Sprint?Latest news…
Road Cycling Confidence Course for Cure Leukaemia
This weekly outdoor road cycling course is suited to riders of a wide range of ages and ability: perhaps you ride occasionally but want to improve, maybe you want to learn how to ride in a group, or perhaps you … READ MORE
V-Sprint Sunflower Challenge
In aid of Cure Leukaemia Tour of the TAP Challenge. A simple concept – You buy a seed, we plant, water, grow it. The tallest flower wins Enter as many times as you like for £10 per entry. Each £10 … READ MORE
V-Sprint Pinvin Road Race 12th July 2023
V-Sprint will again be hosting a RR Part of the Worcester RR series at Pinvin. 32 miles, 12th July 2023, race starts at 7pm. Event HQ – Throckmorton Village Hall , Broad Lane, Bishampton. Entry available on the day at … READ MORE
V-Sprint rides Tour of the TAP
As a cycling club, we are excited to support Mike, Ian, and Lee in their fundraising efforts for Cure Leukaemia as they take on this incredible challenge. The TAP ride covers 1,000 miles over 10 days, with each day covering … READ MORE
V-Sprint Riders’ Rider 2022
As well as the committee nominated club rider of the year, we will again be running the ‘Riders’ Rider’ of the year. Who’s been your best support, your most encouraging or entertaining, bought you the most post ride coffees/beers? Please … READ MORE
V-Sprint 2022 Christmas meal
V-Sprint are pleased to invite all members and partners to the V-Sprint Christmas meal on Friday 9th December at Hillscourt, arrival from 6.30pm, serving at 7.30pm £32.50 per person View the menu Starter Soup Chicken Parfait Haddock Salad Main Turkey … READ MORE
After previously and successfully running two Couch-to-50km courses, In just over 2 weeks on Sun 21st May @clubvsprint will once again encourage budding road riders of all abilities to join us for our 6-week Road Cycling Confidence Course (CCC), aimed at the occasional road cyclist looking to improve their skills. Full details and sign-up online at https://club.v-sprint.com/v-sprint-cycle-confidence-course/ plus there is an informal info & sign-up evening @eweandlamb_bromsgrove 7pm Weds 17th May. All in support of @cureleukaemia and this year’s fundraising team of @mikehop2018 , @leopoldvelo & @iansmith110 who in September are riding 100 miles a day for 10 days to cover 1,000+ miles in the inaugural Tour of the TAP cycling event 🚴♂️🚴♂️🚴♂️💕
Great to see plenty of @clubvsprint support out for @leopoldvelo and @iansmith110 in @touchwoodmoments today, ahead of their epic #tourofthetap2023 charity ride later in the year. Along with @mikehop2018 they'll be riding over 1000 miles in 10 days to raise funds for @cureleukaemia. Please support them by donating - links in their profile pages.
Sunshine and open roads to lunch for the V-Sprint @cureleukaemia charity team, in training for their 1000+km Tour of the TAP fundraiser in September.
See rider profile bios for fundraising links.
First day ride out to the lighthouse at Cap de Formentor for the V-Sprint members in Mallorca. The perfect tonic after a short flight and looonnng coach transfer! 👌🏼
It's been a busy day for #vsprint club members with @jim_varnish @leopoldvelo and @rossant99 out to compete in the #PinvinRoadRace and many more helping out to marshal the event. 🚴🏻🚴🏻♂️💨
The event unfortunately had to be cancelled due to an incident on the course ahead of the race, but well done to everyone involved for braving the weather.
Join the V-Sprint Sunflower Challenge! 🌻
To support our team members riding The Tour of the TAP for @cureleukaemia we're running a sunflower competition with all proceeds going to the fundraising pages of @iansmith110 @leopoldvelo and @mikehop2018. The tour will take in over 1,000 miles across the UK in 10 days raising valuable funds for Cure Leukemia's Trials Acceleration Programme.
The bright sunflower fields of France are one of the famous sights of the Tour de France and we're bringing a bit of that sunshine to Bromsgrove. To take part, simply buy a seed from bit.ly/tapsunflower and we'll plant it, grow it and transfer it to a sunny outside position for you. We'll also give you the opportunity to provide extra fertilizer to boost your chances! Entries will be judged for height on 23rd July and the owner of the tallest flower will win £100 💷
See the entry page for full details about the competition and learn more about the epic challenge at bit.ly/TouroftheTAP2023 👍🏼
#tourofthetap2023 #cureleukaemia #teamcl #vsprint #tourofthetap #sunflower
Huge shout out to the triple-power V-Sprint train that will be taking on the epic Tour of the TAP challenge for @cureleukaemia in September, raising funds for blood cancer patients. 🚂
Over 10 days, they'll cover over 1,000 miles across four countries in a team captained by cycling veteran @geoffgtf so let's hear some big cheers for @iansmith110 @leopoldvelo and fan's favourite @mikehop2018 🚴🏻♂️🚴🏻🚴🏼♂️🎉
Find out more at http://bit.ly/TouroftheTAP2023 👍🏼
#tourofthetap2023 #cureleukaemia #teamcl #vsprint #charityride #tourofthetap #cyclingclub #mikehopkins
@clubvsprint were out sharing the cycling love this evening. We found a handy spot next to a pub to give the @internationelles a cheer as they powered past on their #lejog #worldrecordattempt joined by @ridingwithmates
#lifebehindbars #lovecycling #womenscycling
@sportybakes @aliykeys @jrfowler61 @lozcs @sarahwatmore
2021 V Sprint Club Championships
Nice one @clubvsprint members. Good turnout, good fun, good humour and great racing!
Lots of thank yous to say: Andy and @leopoldvelo for cracking organisation
@lozcs for fab photos
@sportybakes for keeping us fuelled with flapjack and cake bars
#cyclingculture #lifebehindbars #cyclinglife #racingbikes
Fab and fun session @stourportsportsclub circuit for 15 @clubvsprint members this afternoon.
#circuittraining #roadcycling #skillstraining #sunnyride #ridingwithmates #bicycle #lifebehindbars
@gprice100 @aliykeys @jrfowler61 @iansmith110 @rossant99 @rick_smiff @mrstefpbrown @sh.ane263 @elainehardy43 @laura_kyte @lozcs
Our first monthly club 💯 mile ride this year.
Beautiful route, great lunch stop at Cally’s Lounge, Evesham and a bunch of happy riders despite a chilly start and heavy rain near the end.
@mikehop2018 @paulmawhinney @cureleukaemia @geoffgtf @lozcs @jrfowler61
Before and after the weather hit on the first club 💯 miler of 2021. Still smiling despite the #baltic conditions!
Top day out on the roads with a great bunch of riders.
@sportyprice @dredmitchell @elainehardy43 @littlegrimmster
@lmptredditch
And special shout out to @dan___mason for his first #centuryride
#clubride #ridingwithmates #100miles #bettertogether