The cycling program provides opportunities for an athlete to get a workout in a safe environment and compete in qualifiers and state cycling events, no matter how fast or slow they go.
We offer a variety of cycling levels, averaging speeds from 3 mph to 15 mph. Athletes can use tricycles, tandem bicycles, recumbent bicycles and traditional bicycles.
The cycling program competes in local and regional qualifiers in Maryland and Delaware. Athletes will also have the opportunity to compete in the State Cycling Games in October. The races range from 500 meters to 10K, and we may even have some athletes do a 20K.
Cycling is an exciting sporting event that tones muscles and strengthens the cardiovascular system.
Cycling is not a learn-to-ride program! All Athletes must be able to ride independently.
| Coaches | Bill Kokiko – Head Coach Scott Thigpen – Coach Margie Young – Team Manager – First Group Therese Lamaster – Team Manager Second Group |
| Season Dates & Times | Practices: Every Saturday from 7:30 to 10:00 am starting 7/13/2024 until the State Competition on October 19, 2024. Practice will be in 2 groups 7:30 to 8:45 and 9:00 to 10:00. For safety reasons the Coach will assign athletes to a group. Weather Issues: It the temperature is 80 degrees at 8:00 practice will be cancelled. If practice is cancelled due to weather an email will be sent to athletes by 7:30. Qualifiers: Dover, Delaware – Saturday, August 24th, 800 Bay Road, Dover, DE 19901 Prince Georges County Meet – Sunday, September 15th, Melford Property, Route 50 at Route 3/301, Bowie, MD 20715 Other Competitions – TBD. There may be a St Mary’s County Meet in early October. State Games: October 24, 2024, Melford Property, Route 50 at Route 3/301, Bowie, MD 20715 |
| Medical & Volunteer Expiration Date | Sport’s State Games competition date The expiration date on an athlete’s Medical form, or a Volunteer’s certification, must be after the above date to participate in the upcoming season. Check athlete status here. Check volunteer status here. |
During practices and competitions, athletes often ride out of view of our coaches. Most athletes require a Unified Partner to ride with them to assure safety on the course. Unified partners can be a family member, a counselor, or a family friend. They must be at least 13-years-old. Unified Partners must be able to keep up with the athlete they support.
In limited circumstances, the Head Coach can waive the Unified Partner requirement for athletes who demonstrate the skill and independence required to ride safely out of view of our coaches.
Athletes and Unified Partners must provide their own equipment (helmet, bicycle, tandem or tricycle, water bottle, bell, etc.)
SOMO will provide a cycling uniform for competition.
Location: Bohrer Park, Gaithersburg, MD (next to Gaithersburg High School)
Timing: Practice starts with an equipment check beginning at 8:30 for the first group and 9:30 for the second group. Each group will ride for about 90 minutes.
The first two weeks of practice are a tryout period. During this time, the coaches will evaluate all athletes to determine (1) can our program safely support the athlete and (2) which practice group best suits each athlete.
For safety reasons, coaches divide athletes into two separate practice groups. Coaches will inform returning athletes of their practice group before the season starts. New athletes will begin in the second group for their initial evaluation.
The SOMO Cycling Team participates in the following Cycling Qualifiers
Mid-October
To be eligible to attend State Games, athletes must attend a minimum of 8 practices, and participate in 2 formal competitions. We know that cycling season overlaps with vacations, so we have scheduled plenty of practices to ensure there is ample chance for athletes to attend the minimum number of practices. The 8-practice requirement is a minimum. Once that minimum is met, we expect that athletes going to state games will continue to practice. As we get closer to the end of the season, practice attendance is critical to helping athletes get in shape for the Games.
It is not very hard, it will allow us to work more with the athletes, and makes it easier to cover the practices. Especially now that we are dividing the team into two practices.
