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 Kim Sands, Vice President of BYC Board of Directors (kim@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 2025-2026 Board of Directors
Mike Marinaro (President-Operations Director)
Kim Sands (Vice President)
Sabrina Berdzik
Nick Brandt
Kevin Dolan (Advisor)
Craig Etheridge
Mtube Harcum
Eric Hines
Nicholas Holtz
Brandon Jones
Jay Lazar
Stephanie Streb
Frequently Asked Questions
What disciplines do BYC teams compete in?
How old do you need to be to join BYC?
When do BYC seasons start and end?
Where are practices held?
How many practices do BYC riders need to attend?
Is racing required?
Do I need a special bike?
What is your Rookie Bike program?
What are your membership fees?
What other costs are required for the program?
What disciplines do BYC teams compete in?
BYC Teams compete in both road and cyclocross events. For more information, please visit our Programs page.
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How old do you need to be to join BYC?
BYC competes in races sanctioned by USA Cycling and the UCI and follows their age requirements. Junior riders must be at least 9 and no older than 18 years old on 12/31/2026 in order to join BYC.
When do BYC seasons start and end?
Our fall cyclocross season begins with rookie camp the last week of July. Practices run from August through the time change at the end of October. Racing is from September through December.
Our spring road season runs from March through June.
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Where are practices held?
Our fall CX practices are held on Tuesdays in Catonsville and at Druid Hill Park and on Thursdays in Hunt Valley.
Our spring road practices take place at various locations on the west and north sides of Baltimore.
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How many practices do BYC riders need to attend?
BYC riders are expected to attend practice at least once/week at their primary practice location. Some riders attend multiple practices/week which helps them improve their fitness and skills. All riders are required to attend at least 3 practices/month in their primary practice location.
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Is racing required?
BYC is a bicycle racing team. We are practicing race skills and all BYC riders are expected to race at least once/month during racing season. Riders participating in our rookie bike program are expected to race at least 5 times during the fall cyclocross season.
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Do I need a special bike?
Yes. For cyclocross racing, a cyclocross bike with tires around 32-38mm wide and drop (curved) style handlebars is recommended. Some riders do outfit their mountain bikes with skinny tires and that works as well, however some mountain bikes (especially with suspension) are much heavier and difficult to carry. Cyclocross requires riders to dismount and lift/carry their bikes during racing so a cyclocross specific bicycle is recommended.
BYC has a fleet of rental bikes that are available on a first come, first serve basis to our year 1 riders first and then to other team members if there are still bikes available.
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What is your Rookie Bike program?
Our rookie bike program allows first year riders to rent a cyclocross bicycle for $150 in order to try out the sport. We understand that making an investment in a new bicycle may prevent new riders from joining the team and so we offer the rookie bike program to lower the barrier of entry to the sport. Rookie bikes are given to riders in July and are the responsibility of the family renting the bike until they are returned in January.
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What are your membership fees?
Enrollment in our fall cyclocross program is $350 for the first rider and $300 for each additional rider from the same family. The membership fee includes a BYC jersey, water bottle, coached practiced from August through the time change at the end of October, and race day support. An advanced team membership is also available for those looking to progress further in the sport.
Our spring road program is only open to those riders who have participated in our fall cyclocross program. The membership fee for our spring road program is $250 and includes a BYC road jersey, coached practices, and race day support.
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What other costs are required for the program?
For our fall cyclocross program, a helmet, cycling shorts, gloves, and an appropriate bicycle for cyclocross racing are all required. Race entry fees are also separate from the membership fee.
In addition to the requirements for cyclocross, our road season riders also need to have sun/safety glasses, a rear blinking light, a tool/repair kit, and a spare tube.
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