Most people that participate in the sport of cycling have found mentorship and support through a team or club. Decorum is taught on coffee rides and traditions are passed as people from different walks of life come together to pedal. Clubs serve to develop skills on the bike as well as create community. We're thankful for all of the USA Cycling clubs across the country, but only the following will be named 2019 Club of the Year:
Division I – CT Cycling Advancement Program (Middletown, CT)
Division II – Spidermonkey Cycling (Chicago, IL)
Division III – Lehigh Wheelmen Association (Trexlertown, PA)
Best New Club – Southern Velo (Ooltewah, TN)
Collegiate Club – University of Colorado (Boulder, CO)
Collegiate Varsity – Marian University Cycling (Indianapolis, IN)
Cyclocross - Competitive Edge Racing (Enfield, CT)
Mountain Bike – DIRTy Squirrels Racing (Palatine, IL)
Track – Kenosha Velosport Cycling (Kenosha, WI)
Masters - Frisco Cycling - Crest/RBM Cycling (Frisco, TX)
Women – Pandemonium Cycling p/b Hodges Bend (Tulsa, OK)
Junior – Star Track Cycling (New York, NY)
Altruistic - Project Hero (San Diego, CA)
Bravo, 2019 winners! We commend you for being pillars of your local cycling communities and enriching this two-wheeled lifestyle that we all love.
CT Cycling Advancement Program in Middletown, CT
The Connecticut Cycling Advancement Program, better known as CCAP, is a non-profit organization that boasted over 560 riders, 85 coaches, and over 36 events in 2019. With a mission to ensure all Connecticut youth and their families have access and exposure to an organized state-wide youth cycling league, CCAP hosts practices and clinics of varying skill levels across all disciplines, and safe, fun, and low risk community events to get new riders involved. With steady growth since their 2013 inception, CCAP saw likely its greatest challenge this past year with the loss of their Executive Director, David Hoyle. They honored his example of verve and positivity by having one of their best seasons yet, and will continue to #RideLikeDave.
Spidermonkey Cycling in Chicago, IL
Spidermonkey Cycling welcomes all levels of cyclists from elite racers to commuters. They host the annual "Ricky Bobby Charity Ride for Urban Initiatives," a century ride that raises money for a Chicago nonprofit. SMC's many weekly group rides are kept safe by discussing expectations before each ride and diligently encouraging posted ride rules. The whole team volunteers to put on a criterium race in the summer that includes a charity one mile run, and then they come together to host the final race of the ChiCrossCup series, Montrose Beach. By focusing on fun and safety as well as competitive riding, SMC hopes to encourage a lifetime of riding for its members.
Lehigh Wheelmen Association in Trexlertown, PA
Established in 1951, The Lehigh Wheelmen Association has been creating community and lifetime friendships for over half a century. They host a criterium training series in early spring and the Donut Derby in fall, where you get time credits for each donut you enjoy. National Champion, Kim Geist, is a notable member that has mentored riders. Teammate Geoff Brunner is going for his third 50+ win in Ride Across America this year. Officials Sallie Urffer, Roberta Kates and Ellen Dorsey meet to review rules and actively recruit new officials. What makes LWA special, though, is that everyone takes care of each other. It's not unheard of for a member to mow a teammates lawn or provide meals in times of need.
Southern Velo in Ooltewah, TN
Based on the founding principle: "We like bikes and the people who ride them," Southern Velo is 161 members strong after it's first year. Providing support whether it's your first race or your first century, Southern Velo encourages new riders of all ambitions and abilities. They create a safe and welcoming space, using every ride as a teachable opportunity and encouraging all pertinent members to be SafeSport certified.
University of Colorado in Boulder, CO
The University of Colorado offers a spectrum of riding from focused training with super star coach, Heather Fischer, to social activities. CU-Boulder puts on events and volunteers with local junior development groups and other local rides and races. They also encourage more women to participate with women specific clinics and rides. Offering a variety of ride opportunities, from gravel and mountain to road and track, CU-Boulder takes advantage of their location in a cycling mecca to offer something for everyone.
Marian University Cycling in Indianapolis, IN
Not only is Marian University a power house across all disciplines: road, cyclocross, mountain bike, track AND BMX, they also participate in numerous fundraising activities and avidly volunteer in the local community. Their 'school-first' approach encourages a balance between academics, athletics and community involvement. Goal-oriented programming sets MU cyclists up for success long after graduation. Welcome back to the Club of the Year podium, MU!
Competitive Edge Racing in Enfield, CT
In Competitive Edge Racing's second season, they secured four cyclocross World Cup starts, sent two riders to Europe with the support of the MudFund, had one rider named to the U23 World Championships team, and earned numerous UCI podiums. Competitive Edge is not just for the elite, hosting numerous clinics and rides to get new riders interested in cyclocross. Half of their 80 members are women, and they have partnered with their local NICA league to support juniors in the sport.
DIRTy Squirrels Racing in Palatine, IL
DIRTy Squirrels Racing is back in the spotlight this year. Priding themselves on a diverse roster of riders and an offering of unconditional team support, these dirty squirrels can be found at the Illinois State Championship Mountain Bike series and UCI races abroad, like the seven day stage race La Leyenda del Dorado in Colombia. Whether standing on the top step of the podium or just working to cross the finish line, these squirrels love to race and have made their team a cycling family.
Kenosha Velosport Cycling in Kenosha, WI
For 42 years Kenosha Velosport Cycling has maintained a focus of training local juniors in the area at one of the oldest velodromes in the country. With community support, they have grown to have programs for kids just interested in riding, not racing, as well as adult programs and expanding disciplines to criterium, road, and now cyclocross and mountain bike. They truly cater to anyone that wants to ride. As hosts of the Midwest Junior Track Championship, they have been able to introduce juniors from seven surrounding states to their classic velodrome.
Frisco Cycling - Crest/RBM in Frisco, TX
The Frisco Cycling Club is dedicated to advancing the sport of cycling with the primary focus on the development of its’ members for racing. The club supports local races to maintain and grow the race cycling community. They have representatives across masters' age groups and categories that aim to grow the sport with representation and participation. While focused on racing, they also host a Blitz ride that connects with local club riders that just want to pedal.
Pandemonium Cycling p/b Hodges Bend in Tulsa, OK
You might remember Pandemonium Cycling from their solid showing in last year's Best In Kit contest. Pandemonium brings the women's cycling community together with their No Boys Allowed ride - inviting women from other clubs and around the area - often seeing more than a hundred riders participate. Their Mentor Program teaches skills over 12-weeks and culminates with a celebratory 62-100 mile ride. Volunteering is just as important as riding, and Pandemonium is involved in many initiatives in Tulsa, including organizations that assist with mental illness and domestic violence.
Star Track Cycling in New York, NY
Since 2004, Star Track Cycling has aspired to improve the lives of New York City children by introducing them to the joys and benefits of track cycling. Their five-day-a-week program at the city’s only velodrome has no costs for riders. Bikes and helmets are provided, and each third semester rider receives a team uniform, signifying mastery of the skills included in their comprehensive, structured curriculum. In 2019, Star Track Cycling completed 140 sessions for its core youth track cycling program at Kissena Velodrome in Queens, New York. At these sessions as many as 45 participants, aged 7-17 years old, learned the joys and benefits of track cycling and improved their skills through a structured curriculum presented by licensed USAC coaches.
Project Hero in San Diego, CA
Project Hero wanted to participate in Club of the Year, but they were concerned that there was no place for them. They asked if we would add a 'Non-competitive' category that they could apply for. We think that everyone competes, even if it's just with themselves to become better, but it was obvious that Project Hero deserved recognition for the thing it does best - changing the lives of our country's Veterans through the power of bikes. Project Hero is a national program that modifies bikes for people of all abilities to enjoy riding. Their events and programming offer recovery and rehabilitation to many that have served our country. That is why Project Hero is the recipient of the inaugural Club of the Year award for most altruistic club.
