Heading into its third year, a local competitive cycling team for youth is bringing back a popular kids' program and starting a new youth development program.
Collingwood Collective Racing is returning in 2024 with a competitive youth cycling team and other youth cycling programs.
The Kids on Bikes on Monday Nights program is returning with the help of more than 20 volunteer coaches working with over 60 kids during a five-week program that seeks to inspire kids to get out and ride bikes in the woods.
New this year will be a 10-week youth development program designed as an entry into local mountain bike racing and skills development for riders with at least two years of basic trail riding experience.
The competitive team will also be aiming to top a big 2023 season that included more than 100 race entries, over 60 podium finishes and more than 20 first-place finishes and championship titles for the seven-member team.
The team was started in 2022 for youth in the region as a not-for-profit cycling initiative by Bruce Zigman, owner of Summit Social House, the cafe and bike store in Collingwood.
Head coach, Erik Lehmann said 2023 was a building year for the new team.
“This past year we built on our foundational year to bring on new young athletes, refine our training program, and also focus on developing skills with the next generation of mountain bikers,” said Lehmann in a news release. “The youth program was a big hit. But we couldn’t have done any of this without the generous support of our nine sponsors.”
Last season's sponsors included title sponsor F45, Baulke Stahr McNabb LLP, Collingwood Cycling Club, Collingwood Offroad Cycling Club, Edward Jones Investments/Brook Dyson, Fretori, Georgian Blue Group/Royal LePage, On The Edge Canada/Pivot Cycles, Propeller Coffee Co, Property Valet, and Summit Social House.
In 2023 Collingwood Collective also successfully hosted one Ontario Cup mountain bike race and one Ontario Cup cyclocross race in the Collingwood area.
As the group prepares for the 2024 season, anyone interested in participating as a cyclist, sponsor, supporter or volunteer can email [email protected].
Learn more about the team at summitsocialhouse.com.
