Congratulations to our 2013 CLUB OF THE YEAR winners!
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Team VeloSport on a European development trip
In addition to bragging rights, the winning clubs will receive a trophy and complimentary renewal fees for 2014. Congratulations to our winners!
Division I – xXx Racing (Chicago, Ill.)
Division II – Northwest Cycling Club (Houston, Texas)
Division III – Riptide Cycling (Cream Ridge, NJ)
Junior/Interscholastic - Team Velosport Club (Irvine, Calif.)
Masters - Cross Creek Cycling (Fayetteville, N.C.)
Women – Sound VELO Cycling Club/Team Group Health (Seattle, Wash.)
Best New Club – Paradise Garage Racing (Columbus, Ohio)
Mountain Bike – Whole Athlete (San Anselmo, Calif.)
Cyclo-cross – Western Howard County Cycling (Woodbine, Md.)
Collegiate – Marian University (Indianapolis, Ind.)
xXx Racing takes a group shot!
Division I – xXx Racing
Taking top honors in Division I is Chicago's largest amateur racing team club - xXx Racing. The club hosts five races, funds an elite team, and runs junior and women's development programs. Out of the 201 members, 21 are juniors who take part in the club's programs designed to teach them good health, teamwork, safety, goal setting, etc. The junior efforts are clearly paying off as evidenced by the breakthrough year of club member Niko Hessert who stood on the podium multiple times at Juniors Track Nationals, once for his win in the points race. 2013 was the club's third year hosting the Tour of Galena. Club members also host the junior state track championships, volunteer at Transportation Alliance cycling events, offer support at the Chicago Marathon, offer various training activities, and lead the area's largest standing group ride, an out-and-back which is "no drop" for the 25 outbound miles. Click here for the xXx Racing website.
Division II – Northwest Cycling Club
For the second year in a row, Houston's Northwest Cycling Club took the overall win for Division II. The club known for introducing the sport to riders like Lawson Craddock, Cristin Walker, and Shelby Reynolds, is very committed to its junior program. Another commitment it's known for is its community assistance, having given 2013 financial donations to Huntsville State Park Trails Development, the Multiple Sclerosis Society, Greater Houston Cycling Foundation (Alkek Velodrome), Bike Texas, Boy Scout troops, and many others. NWCC also encourages volunteerism by offering special volunteer appreciation trips; annually promotes the Chappell Hill Bank Classic Road Race, The Omnium, and The Bear Creek Criterium Series; and hosts team camps and no-drop rides. Click here for the Northwest Cycling Club website.
Division III – Riptide Cycling
Started with only four riders in 2004, Division III overall winner Riptide Cycling now boasts 29 members ranging in age from 16 to 66. The women's only program encourages teamwork, is regionally recognized, and provides support for developing racers. The group teams up with its sponsor bike shop to put on beginner rides, bike safety classes, and team training sessions where nutrition and proper rest are encouraged and new riders are mentored. Click here for the Riptide Cycling website.
Junior/Interscholastic - Team Velosport Club
For the third straight year, Team Velosport Club took the prize in the junior/interscholastic division. The 68-member team offers age and skill-level targeted programs, including everything from safety training for 10-year-olds to European stage race trips for the older juniors. The club promotes events like the Curt Sutliff Memorial Santiago Canyon TT Series, the SCNCA Elite, Masters, & Juniors ITT Championships, the SCNCA Team Time Trial Championships, and Krosstoberfest. Additionally, the club put on its fifth annual Rokform / Rock 'n Road Junior Development Camp with the goal of simulating the experience of a USA Cycling Junior Development Camp. Club members also benefitted from velodrome sessions, workout sessions, team rides, elite team rides, team BBQs and picnics, and so many other unique opportunities. Visit the Team Velosport/Rokform / Rock 'n Road website.
Masters - Cross Creek Cycling
North Carolina-based Cross Creek Cycling took the "Masters" Club of the Year title for the fourth straight year. With 175 total members, the club promotes all aspects of bicycling with a special emphasis on bicycle safety and bicyclists' rights and responsibilities. What the members are most proud of however is the great efforts they put into their cycling rehabilitation program for wounded veterans. Read more about this great club and what it does for America’s heroes at www.crosscreekcyclingclub.org.
Women – Sound VELO Cycling Club/Team Group Health
Taking the prize for "Women's Club of the Year" is the Pacific Northwest's largest women's team – Sound Velo Cycling Club/Team Group Health. With an active recruitment effort, the team welcomed 22 new members in 2013 thanks in part to programs they host like "Women's Intro to Cycling. They also help develop women through their clinics "Pack riding, Pace lining, Sprinting and Cornering" and "Beginner Skills Race" Helping the Washington State Bicycle Association with at cat 4 and cat 3 women's race series, this group is instrumental in developing women's cycling in its region. Visit the club website here.
Best New Club – Paradise Garage Racing
In 2013, Paradise Garage Racing won the "Best New Club" award for good reasons. The Columbus, Ohio group recruited 28 riders who were new to the sport, helped newbies through indoor trainer rides and road 101 sessions, played a role in organizing the local series Cap City Cross, and conducted trail work on the Alum Creek mountain bike trails. Additionally, the club offers a very welcoming atmosphere for new cyclists. With intro sessions, and no shortage of experienced riders to serve as mentors, the group is proud to welcome many first time racers on its group rides. Visit the club website: pgracing.org
Mountain Bike – Whole Athlete
For the third consecutive year, California's Whole Athlete was named "Mountain Bike Club of the Year." With a mission to develop aspiring young athletes, it's primarily a development organization that provides coaching, training support, bike fitting, nutritional counseling, sport psychology, and skills training. Visit their website here.
Cyclo-cross – Western Howard County Cycling
Thirty-six members strong, Western Howard County Cycling was named "Cyclo-cross Club of the Year." As the promoters of Psycho Cross and Patapasco Cross, the Maryland club donates funds to the Towne of Sykesville as part of their efforts to help the town offer youth cycling safety courses. Another interesting tidbit about this club: It has its own private, cyclo-cross course open to all members. Learn more at www.whccycling.com.
Collegiate – Marian University
Marian University continues to attract some of the top names in cycling. With riders like Adam Leibovitz, Kaitlin Antonneau, and Coryn Rivera – it's no wonder the school boasts a powerhouse cycling program. This year's "Collegiate Club of the Year" winner, Marian recruited 22 new student cyclists in 2013 and won 21 national titles total, including the overall omniums at Collegiate Cyclo-cross Nationals, BMX Nationals, Track Nationals, and Road Nationals. When they're not competing or studying, Marian's riders operate POWER BOOSTER, the premier indoor cycling studio in Indianapolis and the students serve as instructors. For more on Marian Cycling, visit the team's website.
This Article Updated March 11, 2014 @ 06:08 PM For more information contact:
