Our Fall season kicked off with an adventure ride at Lake Blue Marsh in Reading on August 23rd, where the crew got their first taste of trails and teamwork. That day wasn’t about racing—it was about discovery, fun, and learning how to work together on the bike. Coming off that experience, our riders were eager for their first real test: the Battle at Belmont.
September 20th was the first time that PICL hosted a race at Belmont, and it was an incredible opportunity for our riders. For some, it was their first taste of racing—just days after joining the team. For others, it was a chance to test themselves against a full field and push past their limits.
Our Team – Yania, Wilmer, Spencer, Trent, and Justin – met bright and early at Sedgley at 7 a.m. and rode together from the Sedgley Porterhouse to Belmont to pre-ride the course. It was a course our All-Stars knew well from their summer practices, but for Wilmer, this was his first time experiencing singletrack. Fortunately, he had Coach Chris and Coach Lucas to count on for guidance, and as the race schedule was unexpectedly pushed back a few hours, it gave everyone a chance to ease into the day.
Pre-Ride Highlights
While the rest of the crew pre-rode the course, All Star and YAC member Yania stepped into her role as a leader, working one-on-one with Trent, who had just learned to ride a bike with us one week prior. She focused on:
- Bike–body separation so he could properly shift his weight when going over obstacles, through tight turns, and across rough terrain.
- Smooth gear changes to help him adjust cadence, conserve energy, and manage effort more effectively.
To put it into practice, Yania had Trent ride down curbs with gradually increasing drop height and angle of entry, repeating the drill at different speeds and with varying cues. She set up different scenarios so he could learn to handle his bike around obstacles and adapt to changing situations with confidence.
“I certainly did enjoy it. I learned a lot in just a couple of days. Not just riding my bike, but accomplishing something new in life. The fact that I was able to learn that fast just makes this program even better.” – Trent
We are thrilled to see both Yania and Trent stepping up to meet new challenges as opportunities for growth!
Race Day Moments
Wilmer’s First Race: Belmont was Wilmer’s very first race, just a week after trying mountain biking for the first time. He came in nervous but determined, tackling singletrack for the first time in his life and pushing himself until he reached his limit.
“My experience in the first race was really good. I didn’t expect that it was going to be like that at the beginning. I was a little bit scared. I didn’t think I was going to make it, but things changed. I learned that I always need to give my best. Shout-out to Justin, Coach Chris and Coach Lucas for making sure I was ready.” – Wilmer
Justin’s Hard-Fought Finish: Starting in 25th place out of 30, Justin fought through tough uphills, handled traffic on the course, and pushed his way into the top ten—finishing 9th overall.
“The race was challenging, especially the uphill sections. Some people did not want to let me pass—but I found a way. I crashed a couple times, but it was fun. I feel like I did pretty good, I challenged myself, pushed harder than I thought I could go. Although I did not make it on the podium, I am happy with my race.” – Justin
What’s Next
The next stop on the calendar is the mountain bike race at Blue Mountain in the Poconos on October 5th, where we’ve already confirmed a larger group of riders. After that, we’re anticipating an even bigger crew for the season finale at Fairhill, MD on November 9th, for the regional event that brings everything together.
Each stop is another chance for our youth to ride outside in nature, challenge themselves, and share in the joy of cycling as a team. If you spot us at one of these events, don’t be shy—stop by, say hi, and maybe even jump in a photo with the crew.
Find out more about Bicycle Coalition Youth Cycling on our website or follow them on Instagram.