The Georgia Cycling Association is open to all students across Georgia who are in grades 6 through 12. But there are some fundamental differences between our high school and middle school programs. While we do host a race series for both levels, our philosophy is to balance the competitive and non‐competitive aspects of a child’s mountain biking pursuits.

At the middle school level (defined as 6/7/8th grade), we want to de‐emphasize the competitive aspects of the sport even more. We prefer to introduce the younger riders to competition slowly. Though some kids relish competition, many do not. We would prefer the kids get excited about cycling before being expected to compete. We want middle school programs to focus on fun, fitness, skills, and responsible trail etiquette and sportsmanship.

The race duration will be between 30 and 45 minutes, typically in a one lap format, and run on the same course as the high school student athletes. The middle school boys will start together, divided by category, and the middle school girls will start together, divided by category, in separate waves.

All middle school students will join either a school-based or composite team. Based on the school that the student attends, that school then feeds to a specific high school. The middle school students will then participate on their corresponding high school team (view our interactive map to find the team in your community).

Our entire program is built around the fact that cycling is about a healthy lifestyle…not just today’s win. The foundation of this principle is proudly formed in how we have structured our middle school cycling program.