The Junior Development Program was originally formed in 2004 in Southern California when some local cycling enthusiasts realized that a number of existing clubs had either age limitations with their membership requirements or provided no real development for its’ junior riders. The organizers of this program felt that it was important to create a system for juniors, as Southern California has already seen a marked decrease in the number of these programs over the years. After all, Southern California is supposed to be hotbed for cycling. We can only imagine the state of junior cycling throughout the country and would like to offer simple support to these youngsters.

There are junior cyclists throughout the land that are looking to belong. It’s already difficult enough to compete with the high school peer pressure and programs that are the hallmark of our country – football, baseball, hockey, etc. B-rated sports like cycling are pushed aside and children are left to fend for themselves and it doesn’t make it any easier if there are no junior programs to turn to.

There are hundreds of cycling clubs across the U.S. and thousands of adult members within these clubs and many of these clubs have juniors members associated with them. However, in most cases, these junior cyclists are ‘add-ons’ and don’t necessarily fit in. There’s a gap.

Most juniors need junior training, junior miles, and junior goals. And why not – they have junior gearing. These individuals also need access to other cyclists their own age – someone that they can relate to. Sometimes a parent can be a tough coach, we understand that, and feel that this may be a way to fill that gap. Juniors need guidance and direction – maybe it’s best to belong to something for them and only them – a junior program.

This team remains small within the Southern California area and focuses on developing the junior rider one revolution at a time. No adult membership, just leadership. To learn more, just look left.