Farmington Valley Youth Cycling Club helps young riders build skills and confidence.

By Melissa Cole

It’s the wind in his hair for 9-year-old Luke, who recently joined the Farmington Valley Youth Cycling Club. The organization gives kids ages 9 to 18 the opportunity to learn and compete in the sport of cycling.

We caught up with the team during a recent clinic at Rentschler Field in East Hartford. Volunteer coach Jeff Cote says there are about five kids from West Hartford currently on the road team, which rides a very specific type of bicycle.

“A road bike is usually the type of bike with drop handlebars and skinny tires,” Cote explained. “The tires are usually inflated to somewhere around 90 PSI. They’re pumped up really hard because we’re riding on a smooth, hard surface, and everything is designed for speed on pavement.”

At the clinic, riders spend time practicing on the grass, working on skills like bumping drills. That way if they fall, they land on a softer surface rather than pavement. Once they’ve mastered those drills, they get the chance to put their skills to the test on the track and practice what’s known as criterium racing.

“A criterium is a short race around a closed course where riders complete several laps over a set period of time,” Cote said. “Depending on the rider’s age, experience level, and the length of the course, it might be as few as four laps for some of the younger riders, or as many as 40 laps for expert men and women racing for an hour.”

Nine-year-old Valerie and her father, Diego, who live in West Hartford’s Norfeldt neighborhood, are among the newer members of the cycling club. Like many of the young riders, Valerie is using a donated bike that was passed down from a previous club member. Since they grow and outgrow the bikes so quickly, it’s a more cost effective way of participating in the sport. 

For Diego, cycling has always been a part of life. He grew up in Colombia, where biking is woven into the culture.

“Bogotá is the capital of Colombia. There are bike lanes everywhere in the city,” Diego said. “There are eight million people, and a lot of people get around by bike because there are traffic jams everywhere.”

When he moved to Connecticut 25 years ago, he knew he wanted cycling to be part of his family’s life. Joining the club turned out to be the perfect way to introduce Valerie to the sport.

“I’ve gotten much faster,” Valerie said with a smile.

Biking has also become a special father-daughter activity. Diego says she’s gotten much more confident navigating the hilly areas in their neighborhood on her very cool bike. 

“It’s fantastic,” he said. “It has made her more confident. All of her friends are impressed by her bike, not every girl has a bike like that. We also live on a hill, so learning to ride downhill, which can seem scary and risky, has really helped build her confidence.”

The family has even helped organize group rides with their neighborhood friends, often with a sweet reward waiting at the finish line.

“We ride with friends and go to trails in Simsbury and Canton,” Diego said. “The scenery is beautiful, and we’re always looking for an ice cream place to stop along the way.”

Joining the team requires a commitment of either two practices a week or one practice and one race. On Tuesday evenings, riders meet in Simsbury for a group ride through the scenic trails along the Farmington River. 

“Tuesday nights, we get on the trail and ride north for an hour,” Coach Cote said. “Some of the kids can make it all the way to Westfield (Mass)  before they have to turn around and come back. Others are happy just making it to the state line where Suffield and Southwick meet.”

For riders who enjoy competition, there are races held at venues throughout Connecticut and Rhode Island. The team recently competed at Lime Rock Park in Salisbury, with upcoming events scheduled at Walnut Hill Park in New Britain, Thompson Speedway Motorsports Park, and Ninigret Park in Charlestown, Rhode Island.

But racing to win is entirely optional. While some riders love the competition, others simply enjoy being part of the group and spending time with their teammates on their bikes.

“Some kids are just not competitive,” Cote said. “They enjoy the camaraderie and want to be with other kids who like riding bikes. Then there are the serious competitors. They have a need for speed. They love going fast, they love taking the turns, and they want to get on the podium and win a medal.”

Cote, who has volunteered with the club since 2015, says one of the most rewarding parts of coaching is watching young riders develop both confidence and lasting friendships.

“The cool thing about cycling is that maybe they’re doing it competitively as kids, but it’s something they can do for the rest of their lives. It’s a lifelong sport.”

Whether they’re chasing medals, exploring local trails, or just enjoying a ride with friends, the club gives young cyclists an opportunity to build skills, confidence, and a love of riding.

The club is still welcoming new members, and registration remains open for its summer road team. The program is open to riders ages 9 to 18 and offers opportunities for cyclists of all skill levels, whether they’re interested in racing or simply riding for fun.

For more information or to register, visit the Connecticut Cycling Advancement Program website at ctcyclingadvancement.org.

Follow Farmington Valley Youth Cycling on Facebook, and see pictures of recent races online here.

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