About Us
About Us
Embedded Files
Next Event: Race #3: Dauset Dirt Dash Sunday 10/5 Dauset Nature Preserve Jackson, GA
2024 Cherokee Bluff Mountain Bike Team Photo
THE BEGINNING:
The Cherokee Bluff Mountain Bike team was established in 2020 when we had enough students to branch out from the Prima Tappa Composite team. Starting with only EIGHT Cherokee Bluff Middle and High School students, our team has grown to more than 25 kids and 7 volunteer coaches in a short few years. We exist as a YOUTH DEVELOPMENT ORGANIZATION, not a competitive sports team. Our main focus is to encourage kids to get outdoors, put down video games and devices, and to challenge themselves in a safe and fun environment.
WE ARE GEORGIA CYCLING
GEORGIA CYCLING ASSOCIATION:
Our team is a member of the Georgia Cycling Association Team MTB program. Established in 2013, Georgia Cycling is now comprised of more than 80 school-based and composite teams from all over Georgia. In 2023 there were over 1100 student athletes participating in programming. The Georgia Cycling Association is an independent organization. They work closely with, but they are not a part of, the Georgia High School Association, or the organization that runs high school sports and fine arts in Georgia. As such, Georgia Cycling has the ability to make their own rules and by-laws, control their own schedules and venue choices, and establish coach training as it sees fit. This is the reason we are considered a "club" not a "sport" at the schools.
The Georgia Cycling Association is entering its 11th season in 2024. For more information about the GCA and the programming that they provide, see their website at teammtb.georgiacycling.org.
WHAT WE DO:
Due to the fact we are youth development and not sport, we operate much differently than traditional athletic teams. We do not have tryouts, nor do we have bench warmers. Everyone who signs up, participates. While we encourage the kids to push themselves and get outside of their comfort zone, but we will never force them to do anything they do not want to do. We call this "challenge by choice."
Our definition of success is NOT in race results. For us, success is in having fun, being safe, overcoming challenges, improving, trying new things, not giving up, learning about oneself, and FINISHING the race.
Using the bike, we teach children about healthy lifestyles including exercise and proper nutrition/hydration. We also teach them about mental toughness, goal setting, basic bike maintenance, and challenge them to do difficult things. Mountain biking is not easy and those who participate are every bit of an athlete as those playing a traditional ball sport. With that said, those who do not "succeed" by traditional sports standards are often very successful mountain biking.
PRACTICE:
We start practices on July 8th. Our practice schedule is Tuesday & Thursday 6:00pm-8:00pm and Sunday 2:30pm-5:00pm
We are very fortunate to have 7.5 miles of PRIVATE, purpose built trail, to practice on. The Fox Raceface trail system at Michelin Raceway at Road Atlanta in Braselton, Georgia is where we and several other local teams call home. This is located in the grassy field and wooded area to the right of the motorsports track.
We practice with other local teams and use that synergy to enhance the experience for your child. Students are placed in groups based on riding ability. Within that group will be kids from other schools and teams. Not only does group placement help the child not feel out of place because they are faster or slower than the rest of the group, but it also enhances the the community aspect of our program. Many of the greatest friendships are those that come out of Georgia Cycling. They are kids from different schools who practice together who likely would have never met otherwise.
Please note: The Fox Raceface trail system is not open to the public. Riders are not permitted on the trail outside of practice times and special events.
Google Sites
Report abuse