Youth Cycling Programs
We provide in-school and after-school cycling programs in northern Michigan. Over 2,000 kids learn healthy habits, gain confidence, and explore their communities from schools and trailheads across the region through these programs.
Equity is a core value of our work. If your rider needs financial support to attend one of our programs, please apply for a scholarship.
Adventure Bike Club
Adventure Bike Club is focused on developing safe riding skills on city streets and sidewalks. Riders learn while having a blast finding adventure in their neighborhood. As with all of our programs, ABC builds confidence and teamwork. ABC is designed for children in grades 1st - 4th.
Offered: Spring and Fall
Ability level: Comfortably ride 3-5 miles
Mountain Bike Club
Norte Mountain Bike Club rolls out in the spring and fall for five weeks of shredding across six counties in northern Michigan. Over 300 riders participate each season, making Norte one of the area’s largest youth clubs. For first graders to high schoolers at trailheads all over Northern Michigan.
Offered: Spring and Fall
Abilities: Varied based on age and team composition.
Balance Bike Club
We start rolling with our youngest riders in our year-round learn-to-ride Balance Bike Club. We bring BBC into the schools in the winter, after-school programs in the spring and fall, and weekly Balance Bike Club meetups at the Clubhouse in Traverse City and the Chain Hub in Elk Rapids during the summer.
Offered: In-school winter, after-school spring and fall
Ability level: This program is children ages 3 & 4.
Summer Bike Camp
When summer arrives, Norte summer camps begin! Come explore the region, by bicycle, with one of our many four-day Summer Bike Camps. Summer camps are for children in 1st through 8th-grade students. We also offer Shredventure camps for children in 7th - 10th grade. We have camps in Traverse City, Glen Arbor, Elk Rapids, and more for 1,000 smiling riders during June, July, and August.
Offered: Summer (June-August)
Ability level: Comfortable riding leisurely for 30-45 minutes at a time.
Bikes For All
Everyone benefits when we all have access to the thrill of a bike ride. Our Bikes for All program offers school programming, summer weekly meetups, and access for anyone to our growing fleet of adaptive bikes.
We have a range of tricycles, bucket bikes, and adaptive recumbents.
Pedal Power
Do you have a 5-6 year old who just moved up from a balance bike or training wheels, but isn’t quite confident using their pedal bike independently? This could look like wobbles when starting, asking for a boost, putting feet down to brake, or resisting riding. Don’t worry! This program takes place in Traverse City and Elk Rapids. Offered: After-school spring and fall.
Ability level: This program is intended for 5 & 6 year-olds.
Norte Initiatives
More Girls on Bikes
Empowerment, confidence, and community.
Learn-to-Ride
Private lessons for everyone.
Any age.
Norte Race Team
Camaraderie and support for young mountain bike racers.
Everyone Rides
Thanks to our generous donors and sponsors, Norte is proud to provide youth scholarships to ensure all families can participate in our programs. Our philosophy is ‘No bike? No problem.’ Thanks to generous donations, our program bike library covers riders if they need a mountain bike for any program.
Let us know if you have any questions at programs@norteyouthcycling.com.
COACHES WANTED!
Norte Youth Cycling seeks passionate, positive, and dedicated individuals to join our coaching team. As a coach, you will work with a small squad of young riders, focusing on motivating and mentoring them and ensuring their safety and well-being. Experience coaching is not required. We provide training for all coaches.
If you are passionate about helping children stay active and learn to ride bikes—and are ready for some fun—we want to hear from you. Let’s go, coach!
More Ways to Get Involved
If coaching doesn’t fit your schedule, there are many ways to contribute to Norte and our programs.
Donate to our scholarship fund to ensure no child misses out on the fun.
Become a Business Champion or Pacesetter to make a big impact in your community.
Volunteer your time to Norte events when they fit into your calendar!