There is no doubt that cycling and bike racing is booming in the United States

Welcome to the most exciting bike racing program for kids anywhere

There is no doubt that cycling and bike racing is booming in the United States. Lance Armstrong's highly televised adventures, winning an astounding seven Tours de France, have drawn unprecedented attention to this exciting and rewarding sport. Kids especially are more interested than ever in finding out about bike racing. They love to ride bikes. You need only to look out the window in any neighborhood to see young men and women chasing each other on their trusty bikes though most of the year.

Skylands Cycling is a community based, non-profit full service bike club with 175 members throughout the Skylands region. Our U19 racing program is one of our highest priorities.

The Skylands U19 team gives bike-loving kids the opportunity to meet new friends, ride their bikes in a social, educational and competitive environment, and participate in the exciting and healthy sport of bike racing. But the emphasis is on having fun, because in bike racing, that's where it all starts

Skylands U19 riders receive instruction and coaching from qualified coaches. Every training ride involves some form of instruction: group riding etiquette, paceline riding, sharing the road with motor vehicles, cornering, proper climbing technique and much, much more. There's plenty of individual attention, for riders and parents too.

Coaching

Our coaching director is Mike Fraysse, elite level USA Cycling licensed coach, current 1st vice president of the United States Cycling Federation, former coach of both American Tour de France winners Greg Lemonde ( 3 times) and Lance Armstrong (7 times), and three time former Olympic cycling coach. Mike loves to work with young riders, and you'll love working with him. He's tough, he's fun and he knows how to teach bicycling skills. Your improvement curve gets steep when you are around Mike.

Our head coach is Mike Norton, twenty-five year old member of the nerac.com pro racing team. A competitive cyclist since he was nine years old, Mike is a licensed USA Cycling coach and knows U19 racing from the inside out.

Our Assistant coach and program director is Bob Cary, a USA Cycling licensed coach and licensed official. Bob is a three time state champion in Time Trial and Cyclocross, a national track medallist, president of the New Jersey Bicycling Association and vice-president/business manager of Skylands Cycling.

Jason Ziegler is our safety director and assistant coach. Jason is the owner of Sussex Bike and Sport and has experience racing on the trails, road, track and cyclocross.

BIKES

We understand that a bike is a big investment for parents. Unlike skiing, where your son or daughter can try the sport by renting a pair of skis, the reality of cycling has traditionally been that you have to buy it to try it. In the Skylands Cycling U19 program, we try to provide a limited number of road bikes for potential members to try. Thanks to the cooperation of Sussex Bike and Sport in Sussex and The generosity club members, we can usually find can find an available bike to fit most riders, for temporary use.

U19 Women

Young women love to ride bikes as much as young men, and Skylands Cycling want them to have every opportunity to race and train that the young men have. Our U19 team women's is captained by Nina Santiago. Nina is 15 and has been racing for four years. She rides the road, track and cyclocross, and has had lots of success, most recently taking third at the cyclocross nationals. More importantly, Nina is friendly, she's nice, and she's a lot of fun to ride with. She's happy to share the benefit of her experience with newer riders.

RACES

There are lots of racing opportunities right here in Sussex County, although many local bike racers travel to races around the state, including state championship events, and races in the prestigious Garden State Cup series. Skylands U19s also participate in the excitement of national championship events.

On Tuesday nights, from early April through mid-July, racers of all ages converge on the Sussex County Fairgrounds in Augusta for the Augusta Training Series. For the younger riders, this year's series will feature a bikejam every week at 5:00 p.m., for kids of all ages on any kind of bike. older riders face the challenge of riding the 1.4 mile Fairgrounds

loop with the adults. It's criterium style racing for everyone: great fun, great training, and a warm friendly Sussex County flavor. All races we participate in are sanctioned by USA Cycling and the New Jersey Bicycling Association, and supervised by officials licensed by USA Cycling. Ample liability insurance is provided by contract with USAC, and medical insurance subject to deductibles and limits is provided.

At the Can-Am U19 Challenge, 2005. Team champion TeamNJ, runner up Team Vortex (Pa) and 3rd place Team Cuevas (NY) (Left); Colavita squad relaxes (center); and winner and 10-12 winner and 3 time national champion Justin Koelbl joins runner up Paul Lynch and Tommy Goguen on the podium

Getting started

It's easy to get started with the Skylands Cycling U19 racing team. We welcome new members. If you have questions, you can contact us at info@Skylands cycling.com. You can go directly to the homepage on our website and become a member on line. There are no club dues for U19 riders. Check out our U19 ride schedule, polish up your bike, and you're ready to go. It's best to get your bike checked over mechanically, and your tires and brakes inspected by a pro, so give Jason a call at Sussex Bike and Sport, 973-875-6565, to set up an appointment.

Frequently asked questions

What kind of bike do I need?

Most of our racing is done on road bikes--the kind with thin tires and curved "drop" handlebars. A road bike is not necessary to join the team, and you can ride a mountain bike on group rides, but for road racing, you need a road bike.

When and where do the U19 rides take place?

During the winter months, the U19s will be meeting and riding every Saturday at 12 noon. We rotate the starting points--Kittatinny State Park in Andover, Skylands Park in Augusta and the Vernon Flats ball fields in Vernon--so everyone shares the burden of travel. Older and stronger riders are welcome to join the adult club rides, which are longer and start from different, rotating locations. Our schedule of rides can be found at www.skylandscycling.com

Do you really ride in the winter?

There was a time when bike racers stayed inside during the colder months, but that day is gone. It is universally agreed in the bike racing community that to be competitive, it is important to ride year round. Not only that, but winter riding is fun. It's an adventure.

Specialized, high-tech, lightweight clothing makes it much easier to stay warm, and riding with a group of your friends goes a long way toward keeping your mind off the cold. If there is snow on the road, or if the temperature drops below the mid twenties, we recommend staying indoors. Some of the adults ride even in these conditions. Cycling is a year round sport

Will I be sponsored if I join the Skylands Cycling U19 racing team?

Our club is fortunate to have a number of sponsors which provide cash contributions to the club and discounted goods and services to club members. Our club also earns income from the races we organize each year, and team members are expected to help out at these events. Parents can help too. U19 team members receive a healthy discount at Sussex Bike and Sport, occasional free or highly discounted products, and for those who need it need, financial support to help defray the cost of entry fees and travel to major events.

Will I be as good as Lance Armstrong?

You never know.

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Contacts:

General information:

info@skylandscycling.com

Sussex Bike and Sport

155 Rt. 23 N.

Sussex, N.J. 07461

973-875-6565

SussexBike@earthlink.net

Program Director Bob Cary

BobCary@SkylandsCycling.com

201-919-3732

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