Sunderland Clarion CC is the oldest cycling club in Sunderland, its roots travelling all the way back to the late 1890s and the early 1900s.
The club formed a section of the National Clarion Cycling Club and have a group of riders, aged between 18 and 50.
Chairman of Sunderland Clarion CC, Matt France said: "We have had riders win a number of trophies at a regional level over the years, and we are proud of the success of all our riders.
This year we have particularly been proud of the achievements of Ingrid Shepherd, who has won the club's Best All Rounder trophy for the best overall performance across a number of time trial distances."
Ingrid Shepherd, 47, a Civil Servant from South Tyneside suffered a severe knee injury that left her with a pain whenever she walked. She started cycling ten years ago and she has now won around 30 races. She is the first ever female to win the N&DCA Veterans BAR, which is her proudest achievement.
She said: “I’ve recently taken up long distance cycling called Audax, and was very proud to complete a 220 mile Audax in September with a friend which took us from South Shields east coast to Silloth west coast and back to South Shields east coast in one day. We passed through some breathtaking scenery and I enjoyed every minute.
I have recently signed up to ride the London to Edinburgh to London (LEL) Audax in 2017, this Audax is around 850 miles long with a 5 day time limit to complete. I'm looking forward to the challenges that this epic ride will bring.”
In July, Ingrid competed in a 10 mile time trial race in Hull, achieving a time of 20 minutes and 51 seconds. Travelling at an average of nearly 29 miles per hour she has also competed in various other races across the country this year.
Riders compete in cycling events outside the North East as well as races such as the Cyclocross. This year the Cyclocross events in the North East have taken place in Gateshead and Hetton, with more to come in the new year at South Shields.
Cyclo-Cross North East was founded in the 1950s and with the help of social media it was established. Cyclo-Cross North East now hosts the North of England Championships.
Paul Barrett, 32, British Cycling Coach and PE teacher said: "I have cycled since I was a child, I was always out at weekends doing 30-40 miles both on Saturdays and Sundays as a teenager.
I stopped for a bit whilst at uni but then picked it up again firstly for fitness and commutes to and from work. But now I've got the bug I wish I had joined the club earlier.
Paul has taken part in Cyclocross races and was one of four Clarion riders to go down to the National Clarion Cyclocross Championships.
