About Canyon Velo
Founded in 1985
Canyon Velo is a unique collaboration between avid fitness riders and championship amateur racers. Our membership is mostly licensed amateur racers, but USCF and NORBA licensing are not required to join.
Novices Welcome
Entry level racers coaching first timers. Advanced racers mentoring entry level racers. It all adds up to promoting the sport of bicycle racing. Since so many Canyon Velo riders got their start with Canyon Velo, they remember how to connect and encourage the less experienced riders who want to try racing or just train like racers. (see also our Novice Resource Page)
Winning Legacy
In 1991, former member Jeff Evanshine won the Junior World Championships (one of only two Americans to do so --the other was Greg LeMond). Other former members include 1990 National Champion Kurt Stockton, and Masters National and World Champion Kenny Fuller. Miguel Meza is the latest former junior member to turn pro, signing a contract with the European team Polti for the 2000 season. Canyon Velo's successful professional racing team (American Commerce) has given way to a focus on junior rider development and Canyon Velo's juniors have won nine Junior National Championships in the 1990's
Canyon Velo and USA Cycling
Canyon Velo is a bicycle racing club affiliated with the United States Cycling Federation (USCF) and the National Off Road Bicycle Association (NORBA). The USCF and NORBA are the governing bodies for amateur bicycle road and off road racing in the United States and are affiliated with the US Olympic Committee through their parent organization USA Cycling (USAC). As a member club of the USCF our mission is to promote the sport of bicycle road racing in the US. Races such as the ones we promote provide exposure of the sport to the public. When sanctioned by the USCF, the race also serves as a qualifying event for athletes who aspire to national championship competition and recognition by the US National and Olympic Team coaches. When done successfully, the race also acts as a fundraiser for our club. Profits from the race help us fund our rider development programs and put on more races. Canyon Velo is also a member of the Southern California/Nevada Cycling Association (SCNCA). The SCNCA helps local racing clubs and race promoters coordinate their activities and pool their resources making us all more efficient at meeting our mission.
In 2004, Canyon Velo added California Bicycle Racing (CBR) to its list of affiliations. CBR is a local independent bike race sanctioning organization which focuses on racing at what it calls the "grass roots" level.
Community Involvement
Since 1997, Canyon Velo has fielded a team in the American Diabetes Association's signature fundraising event, the "Tour de Cure". This year we were proud to have been the largest team to enter the Orange County Tour raising over $1700. Several of our members also volunteered in the National Disabled Foundation tandem races, piloting tandem bikes for blind stokers.