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 Sport Director – Rachel Maryn |
| Season Dates & Times | Practices: Most Saturdays from 7:30 AM to 10:00 AM starting July 18, 2026 until the State Competition in October (Date TBA). Weather Issues: If the temperature is 80 degrees at 8:00 AM, practice will be cancelled. If practice is cancelled due to weather an email will be sent to athletes by 7:30 AM. Qualifiers: State Games: Fall Cycling Festival State Competition – Date & Location TBD Signup Begins: Sunday, June 28, 2026 at 6 PM |
| Athlete & Volunteer Registration Expiration Date | Sport’s End of Season date: October 31, 2026 Because cycling athletes participate in an out-of-state competition, they must have both the Athlete Registration Form and a valid Medical form on file. All Forms must be up to date before the signup date (last Sunday in July). The expiration date on an Athlete’s forms, or a Volunteer’s certification, must be after the above End of Season date to participate in the upcoming season. |
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.
You can find the official Special Olympics Rules, Fact Sheet, Coaching Guide, and other resources at this link: Special Olympics Cycling.
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 (506 S Frederick Ave, Gaithersburg, MD 20877; next to Gaithersburg High School)
Timing: Practice starts with an equipment check beginning at 7:30 AM for the first group and 8:45 AM for the second group. Each group will ride for about an hour. There will be a 15-minute Team Meeting at 8:45 AM between the two groups.
The first two weeks of practice are a tryout period. During this time, the coaches will evaluate all athletes to determine (1) whether our program can 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
The Fall Cycling Festival State Competition takes place during one of the last weekends in October. Coaches will inform athletes of the official date and location after season start.
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’s 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.
