Cycling clubs can become your community, your friends, and your family. They can inform who you are as a rider, and even as a person. The camaraderie found in clubs can drive us to reach new goals we didn't think possible. They can bring out the best in people and elevate the sport of cycling. We measured the benefits clubs bring to their members and their communities and these were some of the best in 2018. USA Cycling proudly presents those clubs that earned the title of 2018 USA Cycling Club of the Year:
Division I – Northwest Cycling Club (Cypress, TX)
Division II – GS Andiamo (Redlands, CA)
Division III – Sound Velo Cycling Club (Renton, WA)
Best New Club – DIRTy Squirrels Racing (Palatine, IL)
Collegiate Club – University of Arizona (Tucson, AZ)
Collegiate Varsity – Marian University (Indianapolis, IN)
Junior – Boulder Junior Cycling (Boulder, CO)
Mountain Bike – Youth Bicyclists of Nev. Co. (YBONC) Foundation (Nevada City, CA)
Track – Hammer Racing Team p/b Thorne (Littleton, CO)
Women – Sorella Cycling (Atlanta, GA)
Congratulations and thank you, Club of the Year winners, for being solid resources to your members and local cycling, and for bringing competition to the national stage. These clubs will enjoy a trophy, a complimentary 2019 club renewal, and a news feature:
Northwest Cycling Club in Cypress, TX
It is said that everything is bigger in Texas, and indeed the Northwest Cycling Club is the biggest (USA Cycling Club in the state). With members ranging from age 6 to 86, from novice to elite, the NWCC offers an inclusive schedule that encourages growth across disciplines and an opportunity to belong through volunteering, competition and consistent rides for all levels. The NWCC boasts programs that prepare racers to earn national and even world titles as well as opportunities for altruistic pursuits like fundraising or getting the larger northwest Houston community on bikes with traffic safety clinics.
GS Andiamo in Redlands, CA
GS Andiamo ‘builds the next generation of cyclists’ by focusing on skills to promote safety and fun to cultivate a lifelong love of cycling. They support young riders with aggressive U23 aspirations by providing a fleet of experienced coaches and resources. GS Andiamo also welcomes members just looking to ride. Local chapters and program levels allow specialized focus for rider development.
Sound Velo Cycling Club in Renton, WA
As the largest women’s cycling team in the Pacific Northwest, Sound Velo Cycling Club focuses on health and fitness to cultivate community leaders as ambassadors of the sport. SVCC’s development squad, Team Thrive, boasts a roster of competitive riders in cyclocross, mountain, road and track. Through their mentorship program and new racer scholarships, SVCC strives to grow robust women’s fields and bring in new racers. Clinics and coaching programs allow them to build a formidable group of elite athletes across disciplines.
DIRTy Squirrels Racing in Palatine, IL
DIRTy Squirrels Racing began with two state champions in the Illinois State Mountain Bike Championship Series and a Women’s Category 4 series winner in the Chicago Cyclocross Cup. While focused on ‘DIRT’, these Squirrels also race on the road and work together to improve skills across all disciplines. A focus on positivity and encouragement is used to draw in new riders and inspire them to try racing. The intent is to build strength and confidence in cycling and racing.
University of Arizona in Tucson, AZ
University of Arizona brings the excitement of bike racing to their classmates by hosting a criterium in the heart of UA’s campus. They continue to elevate awareness of cycling possibilities on campus throughout the year by hosting bike valets at major events, putting on recruiting drives and working with local advocacy groups. UA Cycling also partners with a local junior team that provides at-risk youth with a healthy outlet and has created a pathway for juniors to move into their collegiate program. Over the past three decades, UA Cycling has maintained programs to create lifelong riders and successful graduates.
Marian University in Indianapolis, IN
Marian University has grown into the gold standard of collegiate varsity cycling. Their thriving Indy Cycloplex allows students easy access to the Marshall “Major” Taylor Velodrome, a BMX track with weekly racing, and a great venue to host cyclocross and criterium races. The MU Knights draw outstanding talent across disciplines while maintaining a priority on education. Student cyclists develop into lifelong leaders and learners who commit to academic accomplishment, team achievement, and personal excellence on and off the bike. Students also manage numerous community events that include fundraising, trail maintenance, safety clinics, most recently assisting with the foundation of Indiana’s new NICA league.
Boulder Junior Cycling in Boulder, CO
A USAC Foundation “Center of Excellence” for junior development since 2008, Boulder Junior Cycling is one of the largest and most successful junior clubs in the nation. BJC coaches help kids discover valuable life lessons through the world of cycling that build character, grow self-esteem and encourage an active lifestyle. After-school bike practice competes with more traditional youth sports and provides a convenient and professional experience for a diverse range of skill levels. Bike maintenance classes, volunteer trail work, and fundraising opportunities create well-rounded athletes. Transitional programming supports young riders from beginners to world champions.
Youth Bicyclists of Nevada County (YBONC) Foundation
in Nevada City, CA
The Youth Bicyclists of Nevada County (YBONC) Foundation set some lofty goals in their mission, seeking to offset foreseen obesity and diabetes type illnesses predicted in the next 20-30 years for the youth of America by creating safe environments for young cyclists and educational opportunities about nutrition, wellness and living a healthy lifestyle. They foster stewardship and respect in their young riders as well as friendly competition. YBONC hosts a mountain bike series, fundraiser events and bike safety clinics. Their after-school ride and high school and middle school programs introduce the greater community to nearby recreational mountain biking opportunities. So far, they have been hugely successful in getting the greater public on bikes and preparing interested youth for bike racing, creating a well-educated, aware and growing cycling community.
Hammer Racing Team p/b Thorne in Littleton, CO
Hammer Racing p/b Thorne calls the Boulder Valley Velodrome home, but they are also active at the Olympic Training Center Velodrome. They enrich the local cycling community by organizing and volunteering at events. Hammer Racing filled nearly half of the massive volunteer needs for the recent US ParaCycling Track Nationals. They also coordianted the cycling event at the Special Olympics Colorado State Summer Classic. With 6 Masters Track World Champions, 13 Masters Track National Champions, Officials, and Coaches on their roster, Hammer Racing brings an infectious enthusiasm to going fast and turning left.
Sorella Cycling in Atlanta, GA
Fierce competitors of Sorella Cycling also draw new riders with friendly faces. After all, everyone deserves the opportunity to discover if racing is for them. Their members focus on welcoming all levels of cyclists, across all disciplines, with the aid of mentors programs and organized clinics. As a result, they have a burgeoning club that supports everyone from kids and occasional commuters to international racers. In addition to meaning “sister” in Italian, Sorella is now associated with good sportsmanship and community involvement throughout the southeast.
