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Towy Riders

Inspiring the Next Generation of Cyclists

Founded in 2007 in Carmarthen, West Wales, Towy Riders began as a youth cycling club with one mission to get young people on bikes and inspire a lifelong love of cycling. Over the years, the club has nurtured countless riders, from local children discovering their confidence to future Olympic and World Champions, including Emma Finucane, Jess Roberts, and Le Col ambassador Manon Lloyd.

Based at the historic Carmarthen Velodrome believed to be the world’s oldest continuously used outdoor concrete track, Towy Riders continues to create opportunities for young cyclists of all abilities, fostering skills, confidence, and passion across every discipline from road and track to cyclocross.

Two boys mid race wearing 'Towy Rider' Kit.
Girl looking off to the left in 'Towy Riders' Kit.

How did the youth club start, and what’s its main goal?

Towy Riders was started as a youth cycling club for the children of Carmarthen in West Wales in 2007. It has a rich heritage of embedding a love of cycling in local children and inspiring future Olympic Gold medallists and Grand tour riders alike.

Former members include World and Olympic Sprint champion Emma Finucane, World Team Pursuit champion Jess Roberts, as well as Le Col brand ambassador and broadcaster Manon Lloyd.

We are very fortunate to call Carmarthen Velodrome, which is believed to be the oldest continuous use outdoor concrete velodrome in the world, home. Opened in 1900 it is still going strong to this day.

The children mid race, coming round a bend in the rain.

What do you want young riders to get out of being part of this club?

Foremost, Towy Riders as a club is about getting young people on bikes, encouraging them to become better riders with confidence and improving skill no matter their age or ability, to cycle safely and to cement a lifelong love of cycling.

We are also passionate about providing opportunities for those who want to race, to do so across all disciplines with the aid of focused coaching, effective progression strategies and accessible equipment for all.

In addition to our successes on the track and road, we are also well-known as a cyclocross club in youth competitions.

How do you make cycling fun and approachable for younger members?

Sessions are varied, utilising a mixture of terrains from grass to concrete velodrome to tarmac circuits.

A large pool of coaches offers contrasting styles and focuses to keep everybody engaged.

We utilise both male and female coaches to give variety and generate inclusivity, and coaches also, where possible, deliver sessions bilingually in Welsh and English.

Groups are split by ability when needed but crucially, the juniors’ riders come together as one club, when session structure or disciplines allow.u prepare for racing and group riding.

The smiling winners of the race with their medals around their necks in 'Towy Riders' Kit.

How do older or more experienced riders support the younger ones?

Other than safety, we don’t encourage rules but rather allow our youngest members to learn behaviour and standards from their more experienced teammates, passing the club ethos down in an organic way.

Our older youth riders are offered the opportunity to become qualified coaching Activators, providing an inspirational and relatable structure to our sessions, whilst encouraging the younger riders on their cycling journey.

What kind of community have you built among the riders and families

We have built our club around the ethos of #TeuluTowy which means ‘the Towy family’.

Our youth riders stick together and look out for each other always, but it is also a very rewarding sight for us as a club, to see them extend that friendship beyond our boundaries to riders from other clubs and bring them into the fold.

We arrange charity events and club social occasions where everyone, young and old, is encouraged to get involved and become part of the family. Where possible we ride together also as one big club.

Our group chats are encouraging and inclusive. Everyone is welcome at our sessions and events, and there’s always a friendly face or willing advisor around to help.

Smiling boy on his bike in 'Towy Riders' Kit.
Several men stood chatting, wearing 'Towy Riders' Le Col Kit.

How do you celebrate progress or achievements big or small?

As a club we at Towy Riders celebrate everything!!

Whether that be small improvements in our youngest riders’ skills on a weekly basis, recognition of our volunteers and members at local and national awards ceremonies, through to notable racing results across all disciplines on the national and international stage.

We never miss an opportunity to shout from the rooftops and spread the #TeuluTowy message!!

custom

What inspired the design of your current kit?

Our current kit design was born from the need for a singular identity, unifying our junior and senior sections of our club, having for years been separate in their approach.

Amber, red and black are the colours of our hometown, Carmarthen, shared also with the local Quins rugby and Harriers athletic clubs.

We wanted a bold and striking design that brought together what our club is all about.

What details or design elements mean the most to you?

The use of our bilingual club name across the back and the Welsh dragon flag on the sleeve, lets everyone know where we are from and matches our identity as a proud Welsh club #CymruAmByth

Two children waiting to cycle in a race, one in Le Col kit.
I enjoy social riding with Towy Riders and my dream for the future is to become a coach and encourage more girls into the sport”
— Alys (age 12)

Future & Inspiration

What are some of the clubs most exciting moments so far?

As a club we’ve had some amazing moments throughout our history. There have been many successes and stand out performances Nationally and Internationally.

Our most exciting recent moment as a club, was coming together in one place, to support Emma Finucane and Jess Roberts on their Olympic journeys in Paris in 2024, watching them on the big screen and having international media and National Lottery exposure alongside.

But the cherry on top, was welcoming the girls and their families, back to some junior sessions and for the next generation to share in the achievements and be inspired.

Mason (age 12) “ It was watching Emma Finucane at the Olympics and Geraint Thomas the Tour de France that inspired me to get into cycling and I’ve loved every minute of it”

What dreams do your riders have for the future?

Many of our youth riders are dreaming big – aiming right for the top or hoping for a bright future.

Harri (age 8) “I want to be a professional cyclocross rider. I love riding in the mud and one day if I continue to work hard and race well, I might become World champion”

Mali (age 12) ”When Emma and Jess let me hold their Olympic medals it really made me feel like I could win one too. They started cycling where I am on the Velodrome in Carmarthen, and if I continue to enjoy my training then I could follow them into the British cycling team one day too.”

Onitha (age 15) “I hope the future moves on two wheels – cleaner air, calmer roads and freedom in every ride”

Alys (age 12) “I enjoy social riding with Towy Riders and my dream for the future is to become a coach and encourage more girls into the sport”

Alffi (age 9) “I can picture myself winning the Tour de France”

Tomi (age 5) “I just want to win a cyclocross race and get to jump hurdles in the mud”

Club classic route

Route Name: Abergwili Museum to Llandeilo

Distance: 25 km

Elevation: 231 m

Highlights: Passing historic Dryslwyn and Dinefwr castles – arriving at Duff Nuts for a well earned coffee and doughnut

What kind of route is it: Undulating route through the stunningly beautiful Towy valley – partly on the new Tywi path.

GPX route
Two children and one adult cycling on a countryside path with a farm in the background.

Club classic route

Route Name: Abergwili Museum to Llandeilo

Distance: 25 km

Elevation: 231 m

Highlights: Passing historic Dryslwyn and Dinefwr castles – arriving at Duff Nuts for a well earned coffee and doughnut

What kind of route is it: Undulating route through the stunningly beautiful Towy valley – partly on the new Tywi path.

GPX route
Two children and one adult cycling on a countryside path with a farm in the background.

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