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:

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












Thank you to our sponsor Atlanta Rouleur Collection
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