What:
At Taconic Cycling Club, you will be coached by certified mountain bike instructors as well as enthusiastic volunteers. At practice, you will focus on improving your mountain biking skills while also riding a distance similar to what your race length will be. You should come to practice with plenty of water and snacks. Vermont Youth Cycling breaks racers into 4 different categories:
- 5th and 6th grade (riders new to racing) – 3-4miles, usually 1 lap
- Cat C (novice riders) – same course as 5th+6th grade with an optional second lap for C+ riders
- Cat B (intermediate riders) – 6-8 miles, 2 laps
- Cat A (advanced riders) – 9 -12 miles, 3 laps
You may practice with riders in other race categories, and your category might change over the course of the season as you improve! The top 5 finishers in categories A,B,C and C+ and the top 10 finishers from the 5th and 6th grade race will be recognized on the podium following each race. An overall XC series podium will be awarded at the last race of the season. There is also an opportunity to score points as a team!
Parents are responsible for transporting their kids and equipment to all practices and races. We understand that many of the races involve significant travel, and we encourage carpooling. We hope that our riders will be able to attend as many of the races as possible, but races are not mandatory to be part of our team.
Who is this program for?
Grades 5- 12
Equipment/Gear:
- Mountain bike (let us know if you need to borrow one)
- Helmet (let us know if you need one)
- Water bottle
- Flat, close-toed shoes
- Sunscreen
- Bug spray
- Snacks
- Comfortable clothes to ride in
Where: Fairgrounds Trailhead (131 Town Farm Road, Poultney, VT) for practices and race locations below
When:
Summer practice schedule
Mondays and Thursdays 5:30-7:30* starting July 6th
Vermont Youth Cycling Fall Race Series Schedule
Race #1: Saturday, August 22, 2026 – Ascutney Outdoors XC
Race #2, 3: September 12 and 13 – KT/Burke double header – XC Saturday, Enduro Sunday
Race #4: Saturday, September 19 – Woodstock Mt Peg Enduro
Race #5: Saturday, October 10 – Catamount XC
Race #6: Sunday, October 18 – Craftsbury XC
How to Register:
In order to register to be on the team, please reach out to [email protected] and she will add you to the roster. Being on the team roster does not require any money no does a rider have to race.
How much does it cost to race? Racers are encouraged to become a VTYC member, but it is not required. A VTYC membership is $150 and covers entry fees to all six races in the series, as well as the preseason scrimmage on May 17th. VTYC membership also includes a VMBA membership. Scholarships are available, and riders that become a member before June 1st get a free custom race plate. If a racer wishes to participate without becoming a member, non-member race fees are $50 per race. While membership is not required, all Taconic Cycling Club riders (whether they decide to race or not) will be required to sign a VTYC waiver, which can be found at vtyouthcycling.org.
What else do I need to know?
While VTYC is a competitive league, the main goal is to have fun on bikes. To help achieve this goal, all participants, coaches and parents will agree to VTYC’s code of conduct, which can be found at vtyouthcycling.org. This code of conduct ensures that all participants, spectators, and coaches are safe, and will be followed at all races and practices. Anyone unable to adhere to this code of conduct will not be allowed to participate with VTYC.
If you are planning to ride with Taconic Cycling Club, please let us know no later than June 18th so that we can plan accordingly for practices.
