The Ann Arbor Velo Club offers two programs for children and young adults. The AAVC Juniors program offers an introduction to cycling as a sport, and the Cycling Eagles program for elementary and middle school children offers the development of riding skills, fitness, and enjoyment of the outdoors.
The Ann Arbor Velo Club Juniors programs has a rich history and tradition. Started in the 90's, the program was a key contributor to the AAVC winning USA Cycling's Club of the Year award. The program was a model that a lot of other Clubs followed. We were one of the first Clubs to sponsor a Lance Armstrong Junior Olympic Race, again in the mid-90's, and that was factored into the award as well. Several graduates of the program went on to do very well in competitive cycling.
New in 2011 is an initiative of the Ann Arbor Velo Club in collaboration with parents of elementary and middle school children in the Ann Arbor area. The "Cycling Eagles" - started in collaboration with parents from the Emerson school. The goal is to foster the development of riding skills, fitness, and to enjoy the outdoors. A unique feature is that all rides are in area parks and not on public roads. Graduates of the Cycling Eagles can move on to the AAVC Juniors program.
The rides are on Sunday in area parks. Parents are welcome to join the rides, or drop off and pick up the kids. We will meet at 3:30 PM and the ride will be done by 5 PM. Net ride time should be an hour (3:45-4:45). Longer and more advanced rides may be added in the future.
To accommodate different riding abilities we will have three age groups: grades 2-3, grades 4-5, and the middle school. Each group will needs parent volunteers: one to ride at the front and one at the back of the pack. The trail will be well marked, and the level of fitness required of parent riders is no greater than being able to ride with your kids.
Membership in the Ann Arbor Velo Club is required.
Our plan is to have rides going until the end of the school year. If there is interest we will also do rides in the summer, and then pick up riding in the fall.
This is a great opportunity to get your kids involved in riding, as well as to organize families with an interest in cycling at your school.
The Ann Arbor Velo Club Juniors programs has a rich history and tradition. Started in the 90's, the program was a key contributor to the AAVC winning USA Cycling's Club of the Year award. The program was a model that a lot of other Clubs followed. We were one of the first Clubs to sponsor a Lance Armstrong Junior Olympic Race, again in the mid-90's, and that was factored into the award as well. Several graduates of the program went on to do very well in competitive cycling.
New in 2011 is an initiative of the Ann Arbor Velo Club in collaboration with parents of elementary and middle school children in the Ann Arbor area. The "Cycling Eagles" - started in collaboration with parents from the Emerson school. The goal is to foster the development of riding skills, fitness, and to enjoy the outdoors. A unique feature is that all rides are in area parks and not on public roads. Graduates of the Cycling Eagles can move on to the AAVC Juniors program.
The rides are on Sunday in area parks. Parents are welcome to join the rides, or drop off and pick up the kids. We will meet at 3:30 PM and the ride will be done by 5 PM. Net ride time should be an hour (3:45-4:45). Longer and more advanced rides may be added in the future.
To accommodate different riding abilities we will have three age groups: grades 2-3, grades 4-5, and the middle school. Each group will needs parent volunteers: one to ride at the front and one at the back of the pack. The trail will be well marked, and the level of fitness required of parent riders is no greater than being able to ride with your kids.
Membership in the Ann Arbor Velo Club is required.
Our plan is to have rides going until the end of the school year. If there is interest we will also do rides in the summer, and then pick up riding in the fall.
This is a great opportunity to get your kids involved in riding, as well as to organize families with an interest in cycling at your school.
If you are interested in having your child ride with the club here's what you need to do:
1. If you are not an AAVC member, sign up for membership with the AAVC:
https://sites.google.com/site/
2. Please email Gahl Berkooz (gahl at berkooz dot com) to be added to the
Cycling Eagles Google Groups email list where ride locations and times will be announced.
3. We need ride leader volunteers to ride with the groups, please indicate your willingness to lead.
If you have any questions please do not hesitate to contact Gahl
(gahl at berkooz dot com).
