Middletown’s CT Cycling Advancement is USA Cycling club of year – Middletown Press

MIDDLETOWN — The Connecticut Cycling Advancement Program was recently awarded 2019 Club of the Year by USA Cycling.

Each year, USA Cycling awards three Overall Club of the Year designations and 10 special awards. These awards are designed to recognize USA Cycling clubs that have made exceptional efforts to develop programs and promote all aspects of competitive cycling, according to a press release.

A record number of entries and “stiff” competition made for “exciting” deliberation over the 2019 Club of the Year accolades, according to USA Cycling.

“Most people that participate in the sport of cycling have found mentorship and support through a team or club. Decorum is taught on coffee rides, and traditions are passed as people from different walks of life come together to pedal,” Kelly Clarke of USA Cycling said in a prepared statement.

“Clubs serve to develop skills on the bike as well as create community. We’re thankful for all of the USA Cycling clubs across the country,” she added.

USA Cycling is a member of the Union Cycliste Internationale and United States Olympic & Paralympic Committee. Within the United States, USA Cycling is the national governing body for the sport of cycling and oversees the disciplines of road, track, mountain bike, cyclocross and BMX, according to the company.

With a mission to develop the sport of cycling in the United States, and to achieve sustained international racing success, USA Cycling supports cyclists at all levels, from those just beginning in the sport and participating in fun rides to seasoned professionals.

The organization identifies, develops, and selects cyclists to represent the United States in international competition, but also supports amateur bike racing through grassroots development programs and the provision of critical infrastructure to run organized racing, the news release said.

“This award makes us proud for a lot of reasons,” Jed Kornbluh, CCAP executive director, said in the statement. “First of all, the growing interest we’ve been seeing locally in the sport of cycling has been incredibly inspiring. We are also proud to see CCAP shine on the national stage and show the accomplishments of the program and its effectiveness. This award is huge for us as an organization, and speak greatly of our local community.”

The nonprofit Connecticut Cycling Advancement Program, better known as CCAP, is a nonprofit organization with more than 560 riders, 85 coaches, and over 36 events in 2019. The charitable organization strives to better the lives of youth and young adults through middle and high school cycling clubs, parks and recreation programs, and youth travel teams.

For information, visit ctcyclingadvancement.org.