USA Cycling has confirmed the launch of Level Up Your Ride, an introduction to racing series. The national governing body notes that Level Up Your Ride offers nine different opportunities for women, trans, femme, and non-binary cyclists to learn all about bike racing.
Following the American Criterium Cup series, the new program kicked off in Rochester followed by Tulsa and Harlem. It will continue with six more stops taking place in Boise, Salt Lake City, Lake Bluff, Littleton, Indianapolis, and St Louis.
All clinics are taught by Kelly Barrientes, owner of Wolfpack Women’s Racing, and a selection of professional female cyclists who race for the team. Each 2-hour clinic follows a circuit-style methodology designed and tested by Barrientes. This leads riders of all skill levels through cornering exercises, sprinting and gearing drills, and other practical riding and racing skills.
“This program is a huge milestone for USA Cycling,” said Erika Lehman, Chief Marketing Officer at USA Cycling. “As an organization, our goal is to advocate for the growth and expansion of cycling.
“Offering athletes the tools and resources to start their cycling journey is only the beginning of our efforts to lower the barrier of entry for our sport. Our collaboration with Kelly and Wolfpack Women’s Racing has allowed us to connect some of the best racers in the country with local communities.”
Level Up Your Ride offers cyclists from all over the US an in-depth look into the fundamentals of bike racing. Each clinic is free and comes with a one-day novice race license, allowing new racers the opportunity to try an entry-level race.
The program is designed to meet cyclists where they are in terms of their skill and comfort level. Wolfpack is a key part of the program.
“For years I have been working to empower women of every level to ride their bikes with confidence in a non-intimidating, friendly, welcoming environment,” said Kelly Barrientes, owner of Wolfpack Racing.
“My goal for 2022 was to expand the grassroots efforts of Wolfpack to include women’s skills and drills clinics at some of the biggest events all over the country. Growing the cycling community has to be a group effort and wouldn’t be possible had USA Cycling not stepped in and partnered with us to create these Level Up Your Ride clinics.”
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