FRAZIER CYCLING JUNIOR DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM
Frazier Cycling Competitive Youth Program
Frazier Cycling Non-competitive Youth Program
Loyalty Discount for Competitive Youths
Events Schedule
Cycling Skill Sets
“Frazier Cycling has a junior race team that could serve as a role model for other club’s junior development initiatives. But more importantly the team’s young members themselves are impressive role models when it comes to sportsmanship, supporting each other and respecting other athletes.”
USA Cycling News, October 29, 2007
OUR MISSION
- Grow the sport of cycling by developing the next generation of cyclists.
- Groom junior cyclists with a focus on principles and values; good sportsmanship, attitude and teamwork.
- Promote a lifestyle of fitness and exercise to build a healthy environment for families.
When we started our program in 2003 we did not focus on trying to recruit the best athletes. We wanted to include as many cyclists as possible for improvement and success. Unlike other junior development programs and cycling organizations we do not target only the gifted cyclist. We look for candidates who have a good attitude and an interest in cycling. Our expertise is in developing kids with those characteristics into competent and lifelong cyclists…some who have become national champions.
Frazier Cycling Juniors hold three national championship titles.
- 2008 Time Trial Men 10-12
- 2008 Time Trial Women 13-14
- 2009 Road Race Women 13-14
WHAT OUR PROGRAM IS ABOUT
We believe our junior development program is unique in several ways. Our program is based on a team structure. Many cycling groups who ride together call themselves teams but they but may not function or race as a team. Our coaching and training are focused on the ”true” team approach. We also recognize that junior cyclists are not little adults and need to “have fun with their teammates” or else they will lose interest in a sport that is very demanding. Parent participation is key to our program. We encourage parents to practice and ride with their children. It keeps them fit and gives both parent and child an opportunity to share in a healthful activity.Our program takes into account the physical, psychological, physiological and emotional needs of young cyclists as well as social considerations and gender differences. We have kept detailed statistics on our team as the members move from young juniors to teens.
"This is just great! I think the unique and important aspect of your program is that through the years you have collected data, observations etc...;and quantified it for your purposes to develop young athletes. Simply put-you are able to compare apples to apples. In my opinion this is the true definition of a Program.”
Ken Kontor, Publisher Performance Conditioning Cycling
1. Competitive Programs for ages 10-18 (Race Team)
- Primary Level
- Intermediate Level
- Advanced Level
2. Non-Competitive Program
- Youth Group for ages 7-14 who are either too young to compete or do not want to race competitively
- Junior Partner for ages 15 -18 who have the necessary biking skills to ride with Frazier Cycling Partners.
3. Basic Training
COMPETITIVE PROGRAM
The program is not recreational cycling; our students are groomed for competitive cycling as a member of the Frazier Cycling Juniors race team. They are taught traffic safety and behavior, group riding and teamwork, competency improvements, basic equipment information, and fun!
Although the first race of the season is in February and the last is in October, the majority of races are from April to August. During in-season training (March – October), the concentration of the fitness program is by means of cycling and running. During the off-season (November - February), the program focuses on strength conditioning with the addition of plyometrics, sit-ups, push ups, standing broad jump, medicine ball throws, wheelbarrow races, and resistance bands. Training is year-round. In the off-season, only Wednesday 6:30 practice moves indoors. All other practices are outdoors throughout the year.
Equipment required for all programs: Helmet, road bike, cycling shoes, clip-less pedals, Frazier Cycling race kit (team jersey and shorts), sun glasses, cycling gloves, and water bottle. Trainers and blocks are needed for indoor workouts and race site warm-ups.
Benefits for all levels in the Competitive Program
- Member of Frazier Cycling Juniors Race Team and participate in all races and race-related activities.
- On-site USA Cycling race support for team races
- Opportunity to attend USA Cycling Junior Road National Championships.
- Annual Award Party
- Award Eligibility
- Race Team Sponsor Discounts
Primary Level is our entry level. It is not required to begin at this level and the more experienced riders can start at the Intermediate level. All cyclists must be assessed for skill level through Basic Training sessions prior to participating in the Primary Program. Beginning juniors may require up to three Basic Training sessions. Members are eligible for 2 practices/rides per week (see chart below) and enjoy all benefits listed above.
Intermediate Level is for juniors who enjoy competitive cycling and belonging to our race team. This level provides a subset of the Advanced Level training schedule. The commitment to attending practices and races is higher. Members are eligible for up to five practices per week (see chart below) in addition to the benefits listed above.
Develop the skills necessary for competition in USA Cycling Junior races - Instill teamwork, respect, and sportsman-like conduct
- Promote work ethic and discipline
- Encourage cycling as life-long sport
- On-site USA Cycling race coaching and support
- Cycling statistics and rankings on fraziercycling.com
- Partner of the Week eligibility
- Discounts for Frazier Cycling Special Events
Advanced Level members are eligible to participate in all rides and practices and any event Frazier Cycling sponsors or hosts. This level encompasses the following In addition to the benefits and features listed in the Primary and Intermediate levels.
- Commitment to Cycling over all other Sports
- Commitment to attend Junior Race practices
- Commitment to compete in races on Frazier Cycling’s race schedule
- Team coaching
- Advanced teamwork skills
- Motor-pacing
- Develop the tactics necessary for competition in USA Cycling Junior and Category races
- On-site USA Cycling race coaching and support
- Eligible for Frazier Cycling Special Event Rides
- Cycling Power and Fitness Test
Elite Program
- Coaching includes a training plan, weekly consultation, and Frazier
Cycling Partners Team Membership. The plan includes personalized daily workouts
including descriptions, durations, and intensities, with periodic testing. The
athlete is expected to maintain weekly logs (electronic), which are analyzed by
our coaches. Testing is conducted under the supervision of our coaches. Test
Analysis includes an assessment with recommendations for performance
improvements and any necessary training modifications. Full statistics for
training, testing, and racing including time splits, mileage, speed, heart rate
data, performance analysis, and progress charts are maintained for your review.
Three month minimum.
Practices/Rides/Skills Sessions Offered Weekly – Locations, Times and Days are subject to change. Start times vary based on time of year.
- Primary Level – 2 Skills/Fitness Practice or 1 Race Team Practice and 1 Group Training Ride
- Intermediate Level – 3 Skills/Fitness Practices, 1 Race Team Practice and 5 Group Training Rides
- Advanced Level – Eligible for all Frazier Cycling rides and practices based on qualification
| Weekly Practices | Type of Practice |
| Sat Morning Fast FB 50 Mile Ride | Group Training Ride |
| 11:30 Sat Race Team Practice | Race Team Practice |
| 3:30 Sat Skills Practice | Skill/Fitness Practice |
| Sun Morning FB 30/50 Mile Ride | Group Training Ride |
| 3:30 Sun Skills Practice | Skill/Fitness Practice |
| 6:15 Mon Hill Repeats | Group Training Ride |
| 6:15 Tues Office Park 21 (Laps) | Group Training Ride |
| 6:30 Wed Skills | Skill/Fitness Practice |
| 6:00 Thurs Gary’s Ride | Group Training Ride |
| 11:40 Lunch-Time 18 & 20 | Group Training Ride |
Skill/Fitness practices are coached sessions that afford the student the instruction necessary to handle the bicycle within group rides and/or races. Fitness is addressed with intervals, drills, and simulated races during these practice sessions. The practices appear on the weekly ride schedules. The locations for our current practice sessions are Cross Pointe Way (formally Distribution Drive) in Duluth, Bunten Park Athletic Building in Duluth, and Children's Healthcare Warehouse in Duluth.
Race Team practices are coached sessions that give specific instructions for racing preparation, skills, strategy, and tactics, etc. Typically, Frazier Cycling has one of these sessions per week on Saturdays at 11:30 a.m. Check the weekly ride schedules for exact times and locations.
Group training rides are our club rides that appear on the weekly ride schedules. Training rides include the Flowery Branch 50 (FB-50), Lunch-time 18 & 20 (LT-18, LT-20), Office Park 21 (OP-21) or “Laps”, Hill Repeats, Gary's 23-miler, etc. Eligibility for these rides is based on the student's Group designation.
NON-COMPETITIVE PROGRAM
The Non-Competitive Youth Programs focus on youngsters and teens ages 7-18 who are either too young to race or do not want to race.
Youth Cycling Program (7-14)
We offer a weekly ride/practice in a safe environment for kids. This program does not include club membership. There is no requirement for a road bike - street bikes, mountain bikes, etc., whatever type of bike is acceptable. Cyclists are grouped by agaes 7-9 and 10-14.
Requirements: Helmet, bicycle
- One skill/fitness practice per week
- Improve fitness and health
- Learn basic bike handling, road cycling, safety, and etiquette
- Instill sportsmanship
- Promote work ethic and discipline
- Encourage cycling as life-long sport
Frazier Cycling Youth Partner (FCYP) (15-18)
This program is designed for teens between the ages of 15 and 18 who enjoy our group rides like the Flowery Branch 50, Gary's 23-miler, Hill Repeats, the Office Park 21, and our special event rides, but do not enjoy racing. FCYP members are required to obtain FCP Group Ride Certification. The FCYP membership is similar to what we offer adult Partners. This program includes full club membership.
Requirements: Helmet, road bike, cycling shoes, clip-less pedals, FCP Group Ride Certification
- One skill/fitness practice per week
- Up to five additional group rides per week
- Structured schedule for various skill/experience levels; A-team, Group B, Group C
- Cycling statistics and rankings on fraziercycling.com
- Partner of the Week eligibility
- Discounts for Frazier Cycling Special Events
- Annual Partners' Awards Party
- Award Eligibility
BASIC TRAINING SESSIONS
Youth cyclists must complete basic training before they can participate in any group training or practice. Basic training sessions are one-on-one training with one of our certified coaches to assess the rider’s skill level, bike fit the rider if needed and work on basic bike handling skills. The number of basic training lessons needed to complete basic training is dependent upon the student’s skill level progress.
Basic Training sessions are, also, required to earn FCP Group Ride Certification for Frazier Cycling Youth Partners (FCYP). Before riding in FCP groups, the FCYP member must demonstrate sufficient skills to satisfy our coaches that he/she understands group etiquette and the he/she is capable to ride safely in the group situation.
Group membership fees apply after basic training completion. Sessions are $75 and last 45-60 minutes. Call for an appointment. These lessons include:
- Bike fit and position.
- Proper starting and stopping technique.
- Safe drafting instruction.
- 2x2 riding.
- Proper hand signaling and communication.
- Proper speed within a group.
- Instruction for pace-line movement, position, and etiquette.
- Understanding traffic, lanes, signs and signals, and traffic behavior.
- Pedal stroke, cadence, gear shifting, and hand positioning skill instruction.
- Proper use of brakes.
- Use of water-bottle.
PROGRAM FEES
Program fee invoices are emailed quarterly at the beginning of each quarter. There is a three month minimum commitment for the Competitive Program. We offer a 25% discount for each additional family member. The Loyalty Discount kicks in after one year for those Advanced Level members meeting the criteria. Basic Training sessions are paid per session.
Competitive Program |
|||
| Primary | $75/mo. | ||
| Intermediate | $99/mo. | ||
| Advanced | $125/mo. | Loyalty Discount after 1 yr. - $ 99/mo. | |
| Non-Competitive Program | |||
| Youth 7-9 | $15/practice | Or $ 90 quarterly | |
| Youth 10-14 | $20/practice | Or $120 quarterly | |
| FCYP | $37.50/mo. | ||
| Basic Training Sessions | $75/session | Due at each session (sessions are 45 mins.) | |
|
Bike Rentals |
$50 for the first month; thereafter $75/month |
Parent is responsible for any damage to bike - equipment and labor charges will be incurred by the renter. |
|
LOYALTY DISCOUNT FOR COMPETITIVE PROGRAM
Frazier Cycling Partners offers a Loyalty Discount to our adult membership to reward members who continuously maintained their membership for three years or more. We have extended this discount to members in the Advanced Program who have made the commitment to cycling as their number one sport. Competitive cycling takes great commitment by race team members and their families. In particular, we recognize the special commitment, sacrifice, and dedication by our Advanced Program members and their families. As a token of our appreciation we are extending a "Loyalty Discount" for members of our Advanced Program who have maintained their membership continuously every month for at least one year. For these members, the Advanced Program fee will be reduced to the Intermediate Program. This pricing will remain in effect as long as the individual's membership is maintained with a commitment to cycling over all other sports. Also, those members in the Intermediate Program who meet the Loyalty Discount criteria can upgrade to the Advanced Program without a price increase.
BIKE RENTALS
We provide road bike and cycling shoes rentals for Competitive Program members based on availability and size requirements. The cost is $25/month.
PARENT PARTICIPATION
Parent participation is welcomed by Frazier Cycling for all of the Skill/Fitness practices and as race escorts (10-14 age group) without charge. Parent memberships are available at discount rates. Parent memberships as Frazier Cycling Partners include all rides and practices.
CYCLING SKILL SETS
Frazier Cycling coaches assess each student's cycling abilities. These abilities are identified by skill grouping or skill sets. Cycling Skill Sets are divided into three progressive levels starting with Level 1. Level 1 Skills are the basic skills necessary for safe bike handling and group riding. Level 2 Skills are necessary for the participation in large group riding and they are the cornerstone for competitive cycling. Level 3 Skills are those skills that are needed for success in competition.
Level 1 Skills:
- Mounting and Dismounting
- Stopping and Starting
- Braking
- Shifting Gears
- Drinking from a Water Bottle
- Riding a Straight Line
- Following a Wheel
- Cornering
- Standing out of the Saddle
Level 2 Skills:
- Riding Clip-less Pedals
- Riding in a Double Paceline
- Standing Start
- Sprinting out of the Saddle
- Bumping/Touching
- Cornering 2 abreast
- Beginning Teamwork
- Riding with no Hands
- Passing/Receiving Water Bottles
- Climbing out of the Saddle
- Proper Gear Selection
Level 3 Skills:
- Team Tactics
- Cornering at Speed in a group
- Bumping Wheels and Handlebars
- Standing in a Pack
- Sprinting out of a corner
- Shifting while Standing
- Putting on/Taking off a jacket on the bike
- Sprinting out of a slipstream
- Lead out
- Blocking
- Attacking from the front/back of the pack
- Psychology of Racing

In addition to skill assessment, Frazier Cycling Coaches ascertain the student's cycling goals. The student's are considered for placement into the appropriate level of Frazier Cycling Youth Program. The final decision for student placement is agreed to by the coaches, the student, and the parents.
