This program provides a structured environment for youth cyclists to develop cycling skills and take part in riding activities that encourage a lifelong passion for cycling. This is an inclusive program, suitable for a wide range of cycling abilities and interests, from recreational riding to racing. Below are descriptions of the program streams in road, mountain biking and cyclocross that are each progressive and complementary in nature.
Program Objectives
- To provide a premier youth cycling program that develops riding, racing, maintenance and safety skills in a fun setting that builds a lifelong passion for the sport.
- To provide the opportunity for youth riders to push their limits so as to achieve and celebrate their full potential.
- To provide opportunities to experience being part of a team that works together, whether in training, touring, or racing so as to grow together in fitness, health, character, and self-discipline.
Road Program
Our spring/summer road sessions teach youth to handle a bike, ride in groups, navigate traffic safety, and improve fitness — all while having fun in the process. Youth riders will also have the opportunity to push their limits in supported touring and racing events starting in May and continuing through the spring and summer.
2026 Program details
- Spring session: April 18 – June 27
- Summer session: July 8 – August 29
- Time:
- Saturdays 9 – 11am and Wednesdays 6:30 – 8:00pm
- Locations:
- Central Experimental Farm (Wed) and Centre Asticou (Sat)
- Program fee:
- Individual Spring or summer sessions
- Ages 7-8 (2018 to 2019 year of birth): $85 (plus HST)
- Ages 9-18 (2008 to 2017 year of birth): $120 (plus HST)
- Combined spring and summer session
- Ages 7-8 (2018 to 2019): $150 (plus HST)
- Age 9-18 (2008 to 2017): $220 (plus HST)
- Combined spring and summer session PLUS (Central only)
- Ages 9-12 (2014 to 2017): $350 (plus HST)
- Individual Spring or summer sessions
Notes:
- Check out our FAQs for responses to common questions.
- For riders 6-8 years of age, a parent/guardian is required to ride with the program to provide support to the coaches delivering instruction. For older youth riders, parents are invited but are not required to ride with the program to provide additional support to our coaching team. For insurance purposes, parents/guardians who are riding with the program are required to be members of the OBC through our registration process. Parents who are not riding with the program are not required to become members of the OBC.
- For riders 13-years of age and older, a road, gravel, or cyclocross bicycle with curved “drop” style handlebars is required.
- Sessions for which there are insufficient registrations or coaching support available will be canceled with the option for either full refund or transfer to another available session.
- For those riders (9-12 years of age, 2014-2017 year of birth) with a particular interest in competition, and eventually progressing to the Youth Racing Program, a Youth Development Program Plus registration option is available that includes, in addition to the above, additional training sessions per week (Tuesdays for Road and occasional Sundays for Mountain Bike). Contact the Youth Program Director if you would like more details.
- Through the registration process, in addition to the program fee, one must also purchase a club membership ($15) and, for insurance purposes, an Ontario Cycling membership.
Mountain Bike Program
Our spring and summer mountain bike program, for cyclists 9-18 years of age, focuses on having fun developing mountain bike skills and fitness using a variety of bike terrain in the National Capital Region.
2026 Program details
- Spring session: April 20 – June 28
- Time: Mondays 6:15-8pm and Thursdays 6:15-8pm
- Locations: most sessions will run from Centre Asticou but other locations in the region will occasionally be used (e.g., while we wait for the Gatineau Park trails to open)
- Program fee:
- Individual spring session
- Ages 9-18 (2008 to 2017 year of birth): $120 (plus HST)
- Individual spring session
Notes:
- Check out our FAQs for responses to common questions.
- Interested parents are invited and encouraged to ride with the program to provide additional support to our coaches but are required to be members of the OBC to do so. Parents who are not riding with the program do not need to be an OBC member.
- A mountain bike with at least front wheel suspension and disc brakes is required. If uncertain, please contact the Youth Program Director.
- Sessions for which there are insufficient registrations or coaching support available will be canceled with the option for either full refund or transfer to another available session.
- Through the registration process, in addition to the program fee, one must also purchase a club membership ($15) and, for insurance purposes, an Ontario Cycling license.
Summer Camps
In cooperation with Ontario Cycling, we are excited to offer two 1-week HopOn summer cycling camps for children between the ages of 7-12 (2014-2019 year of birth)
Like our regular club programming, HopOn is a game-based activity program for youth to develop on-bike skills. This program is considered the “national standard” when teaching fundamental cycling skills. The program will be led by our trained club coaches.
When: July 6-10 or August 10-14 from 9:00am-4:00pm (drop-off from 8:30-9:00am, pick-up from 4:00-4:30pm)
Where: OBC Office at 170 Booth Street
Registration fee: $250.00 plus OBC membership ($15), and Ontario Cycling membership (20$ for under 8, and $26 for 8-12 years of age)
Fall Cyclocross
Come autumn, our focus moves to cyclocross which involves riding on a variety of different terrains including pavement, wooded trails, grass, hills, twists, turns and obstacles requiring the rider to quickly dismount and carry the bike while navigating an obstruction and remounting.
2026 Program details
- Session: September 9 – October 8
- Times:
- Ages U12 (2015-2018 year of birth); Thursday 6:00-7:30pm and Sunday 9:00-11:00am
- Ages 12+ (2008-2014 year of birth); Wednesday 6:00-7:30pm and Sunday 9:00-11:00am
- Locations: various parks in Ottawa including the Central Experimental Farm, Arboretum, Vincent Massey Park and Britannia Beach
- Program fee: $60 (plus HST) for all ages
NOTES:
- Interested parents are invited and encouraged to ride with the program to provide additional support to our coaches but are required to be members of the OBC to do so.
- Any bicycle that has gears and fits larger tires is suitable. A cyclocross, mountain, gravel or road bike with tires measuring at least 30 mm with some tread will be best.
Notes:
- Check out our FAQs for responses to common questions.
- Interested parents are invited and encouraged to ride with the program to provide additional support to our coaches but are required to be members of the OBC to do so. Parents who are not riding with the program do not need to be an OBC member.
- Where numbers are appropriate, we will have an all-girls riding group.
- A mountain bike with at least front wheel suspension and disc brakes is required. If uncertain, please contact the Youth Program Director.
- Sessions for which there are insufficient registrations or coaching support available will be cancelled with the option for either full refund or transfer to another available session.
- For those riders (11-18 years of age) with a particular interest in competition, and eventually progressing to the Youth Racing Program, a Youth Development Program Plus registration option is available that includes, in addition to the above, one further mountain bike training session per week (Sundays, 9-11am, various locations in the area). Contact the Youth Program Director if you would like more details.
- Through the registration process, in addition to the program fee, one must also purchase a club membership ($15) and, for insurance purposes, an Ontario Cycling membership.
Registration Information
Registration will open at the beginning of February. When open, a link available here will take you through an online process that will include purchase of an OBC membership ($15), an Ontario Cycling membership ($20-$72 depending on age whether there is an interest in racing), followed by selection of the desired program session option(s).
Contact Information
For questions regarding any aspect of the Youth Program, please contact the Youth Program Director at youth@ottawabicycleclub.ca.