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2026 Season

August - November

AYC is our youth cycling program focused on cyclocross - a fun, fast, and exciting discipline that builds skills, confidence, and community.

Practices and races happen on Sundays at various city parks in Asheville, around WNC and North Carolina.

Practices are free, races are $30.00 with scholarships available. 

Riders must provide their own bike and helmet. 


At least one parent must be present at practices and races.


AYC is led by Michael Lemon, a high school history teacher at Carolina Day School and an experienced rider and racer. Practices are led by Michael, along with other experienced cyclocross racers.

All riders are born in 2018 or before are eligible to race!

Join our team or to learn more:

avlycycling@gmail.com









DARC AYC program for 2026

What is Cyclocross?

What is Cyclocross?

What is Cyclocross?

Born in Belgium and loved around the world, cyclocross features mixed terrain (pavement, gravel, grass, dirt/mud) and fun obstacles that riders must dismount to pass. It's held on a closed course in a park where almost the entire race is visible - perfect for families! It builds confidence, bike handling and speed,  

Junior Riders

What is Cyclocross?

What is Cyclocross?

Closed course - no cars!


Safe, supportive environment.


Develops foundational bike handling skills. 


Junior riders are eligible to become a DARC member for free with submitted membership form.



Our Goal

What is Cyclocross?

Community

Our main goal is to compete in cyclocross races sponsored by North Carolina Cyclocross (NCCX), which has supported junior riders since 1997.

Community

What is Cyclocross?

Community

Make friends, challenge yourself, and be a part of a supportive teams that loves to ride and have fun - on and off the course.

Asheville Youth Cycling - AYC

Asheville Youth Cycling (AYC) is a growing program focused on getting  kids on bikes and helping them develop skills, confidence, a love for  cycling, and race readiness. Our team currently centers on the North  Carolina Cyclocross (NCCX) series, a long-running and junior-friendly  race series that offers skills clinics, preseason events, and races  every fall. 

 

Cyclocross is an ideal entry point for young riders, with races held  on closed courses in parks and featuring a mix of terrain that builds  strong bike handling skills. As a team, we participate in NCCX clinics  and races, while also holding regular Sunday practices in Asheville that  are open to riders of all abilities ages 8–18. These practices are the  easiest way to get involved and a great place for new riders to get  started.

In 2025, AYC riders earned multiple podium finishes across the  season, including a 4th place overall finish in the Junior 9–10  division. But, more importantly, we’re building a supportive and  enthusiastic community around youth cycling.

 Looking ahead, we hope to continue growing the program—bringing more  kids into the sport, encouraging participation in races, and expanding  into other disciplines like road, gravel, mountain biking, BMX, and dirt  jumping. Our goal is simple: get more kids excited about bikes and keep  them riding. 

Asheville youth cycling

Chandler Lemon at the Hot Springs Gravel Gauntlet, May 16, 2026

Chandler Lemon, NCGP in Hendersonville, Nov 22, 2025

Chandler Lemon, NCGP in Hendersonville, Nov 22, 2025

Chandler Lemon, NCGP in Hendersonville, Nov 22, 2025

Learning about the course, Sept 15, 2025

Learning about the course, Sept 15, 2025

Chandler Lemon, NCGP in Hendersonville, Nov 22, 2025

That Winning Feeling, August 21, 2025

Learning about the course, Sept 15, 2025

Gaining Racing Experience, Nov 16, 2025

Gaining Racing Experience, Nov 16, 2025

Learning about the course, Sept 15, 2025

Gaining Racing Experience, Nov 16, 2025

Instructional Sessions, Oct 5, 2025

Recovery time, Nov 16, 2025

Asheville Youth Cycling

Asheville Youth Cycling

Asheville Youth Cycling

Developing Lifelong Friendships

Asheville Youth Cycling

Developing Lifelong Friendships

Developing Lifelong Friendships

Developing Lifelong Friendships


Copyright © 2026 DARC - Downtown Asheville Racing Club, All Rights Reserved.

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