CRYC promotes and manages the Borah Development cycling team. Borah Development exists to promote cycling among the youth in the Midwest, and to provide opportunities for participation in significant events that riders would not otherwise be able to attend. Borah Development does this by selecting promising young riders ages 15 to 18, and providing them with the support needed for several key races. Team Borah also manages and supports a larger local development team of younger riders in La Crosse, WI where the team is based. These riders race in regional races closer to La Crosse and in neighboring Iowa and Minnesota. Borah Development provides a uniquely challenging and educational experience for our young riders.
        

The team’s origins are familiar to any one who has been around bicycle racing for any period of time. It began when Coach Kenny Crook was working with a group of junior riders age 12-18 through a club in La Crosse, Wisconsin. The club decided that they wanted to expend their energies on a different demographic than junior riders and announced that they were pulling their support for the junior team but were willing to keep them as members.

Kenny called for advice from some of the parents involved in the program. The parents encouraged him to start a new team. Kenny then called his friend and fellow coach Larry Martin. Larry suggested incorporating as a 501 3-c corporation, keep the membership open to Junior riders only, and use the Club as a vehicle to teach and encourage other young riders in the area to try bicycle racing and to learn bicycle safety. With input from some of the parents, Todd Wizner and Bob Schimek the Coulee Region Cycling Club Inc. was born. A local attorney was hired to file the necessary papers and Wizner’s and Schimek’s companies donated money to get them started.

The idea for the team was to:

• Race regionally with mostly local talent.

• Draw more local riders into the program

• Subsidize the expense for the youngsters to keep them in the sport.

• Give them ample opportunity to grow and learn about Bicycle Racing

There was a lot to do and a lot to learn! With support from the local companies and ideas from people involved in the sport for many years, the Team has gained more support from throughout the region and is beginning the second phase of establishing a long term development club with regional race involvement.

© 2011 Coulee Region Youth Cycling