Baltimore Youth Cycling was founded in 2015. The dream was to develop a youth cycling team to introduce kids to cyclocross and everything fun on two wheels! The first year over 40 kids signed up throughout Central Maryland. Although Cyclocross is not a mainstream sport, it requires superb biking skills, endurance, and drive. The team’s strong foundation and philosophy has been instrumental in its continued success. The cohesive team spirit, camaraderie, and talent has grown over the 6 years in existence receiving not only local, but national recognition. In the Spring of 2017, the Road Program was introduced as a complement to the Summer and Fall Cyclocross Program. Many of the riders embrace opportunities to try different cycling disciplines and the ability to compete in a variety of racing disciplines. In 2023, Baltimore Youth Cycling’s cyclocross team was 80 kids riding and racing throughout Maryland and across the Mid-Atlantic region. The team attended both Road and Cyclocross Nationals resulting in podium finishes.
Baltimore Youth Cycling was awarded the USA Cycling Centers of Excellence (COE) designation for 2023. USA Cycling Centers of Excellence program recognizes clubs and teams that develop Junior and Under-23 (U23) cyclists into the racers of tomorrow by implementing a safe environment, holistic coaching practices, and a positive team culture, both on and off the bike. This designation is awarded to select Junior and Under-23 development teams which excel in the development of young cycling athletes. Centers of Excellence must meet strict requirements. The current COE designated programs have consistently demonstrated the ability to develop young riders into nationally competitive athletes and annually place riders in USA Cycling Regional and National development camps and the USA Cycling National Development Program.
Some of the program qualifications include: Operate a USA Cycling club, team, or program with the specific purpose of developing athletes at the Junior or U23 level and have a successful operational history of at least two years, support the complete athlete pathway with junior and development-level programs that progress toward elite-level programs, serve licensed Junior and/or U23 athletes with a racing age of 11-22, have plans to send Junior or U23 athletes to National Championship events or USA Cycling Athlete Development Pathway Regional Camps, adhere to USA Cycling’s Safe Sport program, be a licensed club or team in good standing with USA Cycling, and be a tax-exempt, registered non-profit organization.
Coaching and Philosophy
“Our primary goal is to create cyclists for life!”
Our coaches provide a friendly teaching environment so kids can put forth their best effort. Coaches focus on practice, endurance, and teamwork. They teach basic handling skills for our new riders, specialized skills for our advanced riders, and racing techniques from beginner to advanced. The kids are rewarded with a Wings Program that focuses on practice and race participation not outcomes and winning.
The safety and respect of the kids in our program are the first priority. In order to protect our minor athletes on the team, all volunteers involved in any BYC programs, practices, or events are required to complete SafeSport training.
If you are aware of any situation on the team that places a child or any member of the team at risk particularly with regard to physical, mental, or sexual abuse, please notify the proper authorities as well as Mita Vogel, Vice President of BYC Board of Directors (mita@bycycling.org) IMMEDIATELY!
If you are interested in volunteering, coaching, or supporting BYC, please click How You Can Help to get started.
Meet Our Team
Baltimore Youth Cycling 2023-2024 Board of Directors
Mike Marinaro (President-Operations Director)
Mita Vogel (Vice President-Outreach Director)
Tracy Lynott (Outreach and Sponsorship)
Nick Brandt (Advanced Squad Head Coach)
Craig Etheridge
Eric Hines
Mtube Harcum
Andrew King
Jay Lazar
Kim Sands