2018 MLCC Season
2018 MLCC Season Summary
The Mountain Lions Cycling Club (MLCC) is a team within the Maryland Interscholastic Cycling League, which is a project of the National Interscholastic Cycling Association. MLCC builds youth character and fitness through off-road cycling adventures. And we have fun. Lots and lot of fun! MLCC provides a fun, safe and high-quality mountain biking program for students in grades 6 to 12. The MLCC program develops student athletes with a view towards their participation in competitive mountain bike racing.
MLCC was the first and is still the only Howard County youth mountain biking team participating in the Maryland Interscholastic Cycling League. Our student athletes learned basic riding skills and safety, environmental responsibility, love for the outdoors, and the thrill of racing. Furthermore, MLCC riders learned to overcome physical challenges on the trail which builds personal confidence in all areas of their lives, for the rest of their lives.
Our 2018 goal was to get more kids on bikes. Cycling gets kids outside, off screens, and moving! Some of the many benefits we saw during the season include:
During our 2018 MLCC season we supported 35 student athletes from middle and high schools throughout Howard County participated on Mountain Lions Cycling Club (MLCC). We hosted two field practices per week during the season (July-October), and conducted weekend trail rides. MLCC student athletes participated in four competitive mountain bike races across Maryland. The MLCC was led by a volunteer staff of 15 trained and licensed coaches. Notable 2018 successes include:
We challenged each athlete and coach to make personal improvements of just one or two percent each week. As a result, we watched athletes rise to new challenges, gain physical strength and endurance, build personal confidence, and grow in character. Numerous parents extolled the program’s virtues; some going so far as to describe their children as better students and more responsible at home because of their experiences on the team. That’s our mission fulfilled and that’s how we define success.
The Mountain Lions Cycling Club (MLCC) is a team within the Maryland Interscholastic Cycling League, which is a project of the National Interscholastic Cycling Association. MLCC builds youth character and fitness through off-road cycling adventures. And we have fun. Lots and lot of fun! MLCC provides a fun, safe and high-quality mountain biking program for students in grades 6 to 12. The MLCC program develops student athletes with a view towards their participation in competitive mountain bike racing.
MLCC was the first and is still the only Howard County youth mountain biking team participating in the Maryland Interscholastic Cycling League. Our student athletes learned basic riding skills and safety, environmental responsibility, love for the outdoors, and the thrill of racing. Furthermore, MLCC riders learned to overcome physical challenges on the trail which builds personal confidence in all areas of their lives, for the rest of their lives.
Our 2018 goal was to get more kids on bikes. Cycling gets kids outside, off screens, and moving! Some of the many benefits we saw during the season include:
- Building fitness
- Learning teamwork
- Improved mental clarity
- Time management
- Improved sleeping and eating habits
- Participation in a unique sport that athletes can sustain for many years
- Lifelong friendships
During our 2018 MLCC season we supported 35 student athletes from middle and high schools throughout Howard County participated on Mountain Lions Cycling Club (MLCC). We hosted two field practices per week during the season (July-October), and conducted weekend trail rides. MLCC student athletes participated in four competitive mountain bike races across Maryland. The MLCC was led by a volunteer staff of 15 trained and licensed coaches. Notable 2018 successes include:
- The MLCC middle school team earned 3rd Place overall in the 2018 season
- Multiple MLCC riders placed within their category at each race, as well as overall in the season
- We served 35 registered riders / 14 registered coaches
- 11 MLCC riders were completely new to mountain biking (some of which placed within their category!)
- MLCC was the 2nd largest team in entire MD league in 2018
- Every athlete overcame some fear, built fitness beyond what they thought was possible, grew in confidence, and formed strong bonds of friendship across diverse economic, ethnic, and geographic lines
We challenged each athlete and coach to make personal improvements of just one or two percent each week. As a result, we watched athletes rise to new challenges, gain physical strength and endurance, build personal confidence, and grow in character. Numerous parents extolled the program’s virtues; some going so far as to describe their children as better students and more responsible at home because of their experiences on the team. That’s our mission fulfilled and that’s how we define success.
