For everyone, at any level, on any day
By (Abigail DeSa) — sports@theaggie.org
The UC Davis Cycling Team is a student-run, co-ed club sports team that provides a community to undergraduate and graduate student bike lovers. With 67 members, the team is full of bikers of all experience levels for mountain bike and road cycling. From competitive road races to coffee stops in Winters, the club hosts a myriad of events and provides a safe space to exercise and socialize.
From the mountains to the sea, the club facilitates a variety of cycling and encourages its members to enter races no matter their level.
“It’s one team with all the disciplines — we have no cuts for any races except for nationals,” Alden Hughes, a fourth-year environmental science and management major and public relations officer for the team, said. “And the collegiate leagues work so that every finisher gives us points no matter how slow they are, so there is no reason for us not to send as many people as possible.”
Over the course of the year, the team partakes in a variety of competitions — competing in five mountain bike races in the fall and nine road races in the spring. To prepare for the road events, the team does 50-mile race rides once a week to improve endurance and mental strength.
The club team competes in the Western Collegiate Cycling Conference (WCCC) and in USA Cycling’s regional and national competitions. With four national, three state and 15 conference championship wins under their belt, these Aggies have a legacy of victory.
Some of the destinations that the club embarks on are the Sonoma Coast, North Bay, Mendocino, Humboldt County, Tahoe and UC Los Angeles, with nationals taking place in Minneapolis.
“It’s really cool to go to the ocean and just be in the middle of nowhere with some friends on a bike,” Hughes said. “And it’s really pretty out there on Highway 1. It’s sort of a great way to explore where you live, because I bike to be outside, to spend time with people and for exercise.”
Hughes emphasized the value of community within the team and the supportive environment that elevated his college experience.
“I feel like it is a great use of my time,” Hughes said. “I love getting outside with other people and, instead of going to the gym, we’d go outside for a ride to the next town over. It’s pretty great.”
Being on the cycling team has generated positive outcomes in both Hughes’ and the team’s lives, and they want to share the experience with more students in Davis.
“I think that it’s fun to have people start out just milling around town on their bike and then get really, really fast,” Hughes said. “We have so many resources: we have bicycles, free clothing, we can pay for the races, get new uniforms. […] I’d just like to see as many people out racing in Davis.”
Davis’ expansive bike culture has made it easier than ever to dabble in the sport — whether it’s a trip to Trader Joe’s or rushing to Wellman Hall. The bike team offers a great opportunity for students to challenge themselves in a friendly and supportive environment. For more information on the UC Davis Cycling Team, check out their website and Instagram page.
By (Abigail DeSa) — sports@theaggie.org
