Our Origin

In December 2008 twelve friends from Newport decided that they needed a challenge for the forthcoming year. After lengthy discussions it was decided that they would attempt the gruelling “Pyrenean Raid” cycle challenge.

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This challenge is a ride over the Pyrenees in four and a half days 720 kilometres, 18 cols with an estimated elevation of 11,000 metres. In September 2009 a group of twelve riders, many of whom were non-cyclists before their training began, completed the challenge and in the process raised over £11,000 for charity.

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As a result of this outstanding success, in early 2010, the friends decided to form “Nova Raiders Cycling Club” specifically to carry on raising money for local and national charities which has been at the clubs core ever since.

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The club having started with twelve friends quickly grew to a membership of over two hundred and to date (2022) has raised in excess of one hundred and twenty five thousand pounds for local charities.

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The club is now sponsored by Joules Brewery and runs 2 annual charity events “Route 66” (cycling the Shropshire Hills) and Giro de Joules (Cycling the Cheshire borders).

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“Cycling with Friends” continues as the clubs ethos never forgetting that this is how we started and never forgetting those that we have lost along the way.