Newcastle Hunter Cycling Club

Newcastle Hunter Cycling Club (NHCC) is a major cycling club serving Newcastle, Lake Macquarie and the wider Hunter Region of New South Wales, providing opportunities for riders across road, track, criterium and cyclocross racing. The current club was formed in 2021 through the amalgamation of Hunter District Cycling Club and Newcastle Cycling Club, bringing together two longstanding organisations and their considerable cycling history. The club welcomes riders of different ages and abilities, from young cyclists beginning their development through to experienced Elite and Masters competitors. Its mission is ambitious—to help make the Hunter Region a major centre for Australian cycling—while maintaining a safe and competitive environment where riders can develop and enjoy the sport. Road racing is a major part of NHCC, with regular racing conducted at the Hunter Economic Zone (HEZ) at Pelaw Main, near Kurri Kurri. The venue's sealed roads provide an unusual environment where cycling competition can be held away from normal traffic, and the circuit has a long association with Hunter cycling. Current club information says road racing is conducted at HEZ every weekend. HEZ has also historically supported criterium and individual time-trial racing. The circuit's combination of traffic-free roads and rolling terrain allows different race configurations, while handicap and graded formats give riders of varying strengths opportunities to compete. Track cycling is another important part of the club, centred around the Newcastle Velodrome at Adamstown. NHCC continues to conduct track racing there, carrying forward the strong track tradition of its predecessor clubs. Hunter District's junior program historically used the velodrome for training in disciplines including time trials, Madison and team pursuit, with loan track bikes available to help children get started. Junior development has long been one of the strengths of cycling in the Hunter. Before the amalgamation, Hunter District Cycling Club had more than 300 registered members and a year-round racing calendar, with junior training and racing across both road and track. That development pathway now forms part of the broader Newcastle Hunter organisation. The club's current offering extends beyond traditional road and track competition. NHCC explicitly lists criterium and cyclocross events as part of its program, giving members opportunities to experience several different styles of racing throughout the season. An especially nice part of the merged club is the effort it makes to preserve the history of Hunter cycling. NHCC continues a collection of memorial races recognising riders and volunteers from its predecessor clubs, including the Suzy Hadley Handicap, Walker Walpole Handicap, Bob Markwell Handicap, Sandford Chaston Wheel Race, Murray Walker Handicap and Mick Chapman Criterium. That heritage includes some significant figures in Australian cycling. Former Hunter District champion Murray Walker won the King of the Mountains competition in New Zealand's Dulux Tour and later broke long-distance cycling records previously held by Sir Hubert Opperman. Former HDCC president and coach Mick Chapman also played an important role in developing Australian riders, including Olympian Olivia Gollan, and served as Head Cycling Coach at the Hunter Academy of Sport. Whether you're looking to introduce a junior to cycling, try road racing, ride the velodrome, compete in criteriums or cyclocross, develop your racing skills or connect with Newcastle and the Hunter's long cycling tradition, Newcastle Hunter Cycling Club provides a strong pathway into organised cycling across the region.

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