As the biggest success story to come out of Welwyn Wheelers reaches the end of the road, the cycling club is hoping the next generation will finally be able to get back on the track that started it all.
Laura Kenny, the five-time Olympic champion, called time on her career after admitting the desire to add to that tally at the Paris Olympics was dwindling as she focused on being a mum.
Kenny, married to fellow GB Olympic royalty Jason, began her gold rush at London in 2012 but speaking to the BBC, she said spending time with her two boys, the second of whom arrived last year, was proving more and more alluring.
She said: "It’s been in my head a little while, the sacrifices of leaving the children and your family at home is really quite big and it really is a big decision to make.
"More and more, I was struggling to do that. More people asking me what races was I doing, what training camps was I going on – I didn’t want to go ultimately and that’s what it came down to.
"I knew the minute I was getting those feelings. Once I said to Jase, ‘I don’t think I want to ride a bike anymore’, I started to feel relief."
Long before the gold medal exploits in the velodrome though, the then Laura Trott was to be found at the Gosling Stadium, honing her craft in the green and white of the Wheelers.
Speaking on social media, the club said: "We’ve celebrated and been extremely proud of Laura’s achievements over the years, both on the track and as an inspiration to the many riders we’ve seen come through the club.
"We know that Laura will continue to have success in whatever she decides to do next and we wish her the very best for the future.
"Thank you Laura for all you’ve done for our sport."
But the last few years have seen the Welwyn club struggling to make their Gosling home right, after a repair to the surface by contractor Colas did not got to plan.
It has left the next generation of young Wheelers unable to get onto the outdoor track, although the club say there is light at the end of the tunnel.
In an update on their website, they said: "We are delighted, and relieved, that the weather was kind enough this week to allow a new coating to be applied.
"The track is still closed but is now hardening and the repainting of lines is arranged to happen within the next two weeks, weather permitting."
The club are now confident that the Friday night Welwyn Track League, a staple of events in the region for years and one where Kenny was often found, can restart after being cancelled last year.
They are pencilled in to begin on April 26 with details at www.welwynwheelers.org.uk/track-league
The club are also confident of being able to host track taster sessions and three series of progressive track novice sessions, for those seeking accreditation and advancement to racing.
These are scheduled to begin on April 20 with full details available by going to www.welwynwheelers.org.uk/track-novice-sessions-2024
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here