Bike Racing for Juniors: A Guide for Riders, Parents, and Coaches

Road racers use teamwork and power to gap the peloton, trackies rely on skills and savvy to dominate the velodrome, and downhillers need strength and mental skills to bomb down the slopes at top speed. Cycling is a sport with something for everyone. But from the daredevils breaking mountain biking records to the speed demons leading the final sprints at the Tour de France, all cyclists have one thing in common: They had to start at the beginning.

Elite-level cycling coach Kristen Dieffenbach has teamed up with USA Cycling's director of Junior Athlete Programs, Steve McCauley, in a book that answers every question for Junior (under 18) and Espoir (19-23) cyclists. The comprehensive contents will help athletes:

Find a coach, a team, and training partners
Get the right bike, helmet, clothing, and other gear
Eat right to fuel the demands of a developing cyclist
Make training effective and safe
Develop mental skills and practice positive thinking
Get started in racing
Explore high school and collegiate cycling

If you are a Junior rider looking to reach big goals, this book will put you on the right track. If you are a parent or coach of a developing cyclist, you will find valuable information on how to support your athletes as they aspire to the next level of success.

Whichever discipline they choose, tomorrow's pros can rely on this book for the tools and knowledge they need to succeed in cycling.

Table of Contents

Welcome to the World of Cycling
Getting Started: Bikes and Components
A Primer on US Bicycle Racing
Talent Development
Nutrition for Juniors
Training 101
Skill Development
Strength Training and Flexibility
Training Your Brain: Mental Skills in Cycling
Athletic Injuries and Health Concerns
Women on Wheels
Being a Parent of a Young Cyclist
Coaching Junior and Espoir Riders
Getting Started in Racing
High School and Collegiate Cycling
Contact and Resources
Glossary of Common Cycling Terms

About the Authors

Kristen Dieffenbach, PhD, is an elite-level USA Cycling-certified coach and associate professor of athletic coaching education at West Virginia University. Dieffenbach has coached cycling for more than 10 years at the high school, collegiate, recreational, and elite levels.

Steve McCauley is director of development for the USA Cycling Development Foundation and a certified USA Cycling coach.