The UBC Thunderbirds Cycling Sport Club provides an opportunity for members to compete in both high-level sport and also provide a pathway for people to get into cycling. Our focus is the development of all riders as we train together and push one another to the next level!

Eligibility Requirements:

No past racing experience is required. We are looking for hard working riders with good attitudes. Please ensure that you have the right equipment (road bike with skinny tires and working gears).

Members are required to attend the following:

• Weekly Saturday rides during the Winter session 9:00am at Boulevard Coffee Roasters on University Boulevard. (NOTE: Due to COVID-19 regulations, athletes that attend group rides must be rostered. You will not be able to attend a group ride if you have not completed the appropriate forms. For more information, please email cycling.sc@ubc.ca)
• Additional weekly training sessions
• Compete in a minimum of two races (full weekends, in March-May)

Members will need a valid passport and UCI Race License in order to compete in the USA. (Note: Do not purchase a new race license until after January 1st for racing in 2022.)

Try Outs: 

Although we look for cycling ability, we largely focus on prospective development and contribution to the positive team environment. We are scoping for demonstrated ability to reach minimum competition-ready level via training with the team on developing either athletic ability or pack cycling experience by the end of the current season.

The 2021/2022 team will be capped at 35 athletes. Should more than 35 athletes be interested in joining, we will hold try-outs. Try-outs will be based on an athlete’s level of commitment to the team and general athleticism. If an athlete is unable to attend weekly Saturday rides and indoor training sessions, they will likely not make the team.

Feel free to contact an executive at cycling.sc@ubc.ca or send us a Facebook message in advance if you have any questions about being on the team.

Team Fees:

The 2021/2022 Team Fee is TBD.

In previous years, the team fee is paid in two installments. The first installment is $67 and this pays for travel medical insurance, an official Thunderbirds Sport Clubs t-shirt (for access to TSC BirdCoop hours), and other administration fees. The second installment is around $180 (NOTE: Due to COVID-19, we expect the cost of travel to increase so the second installment will likely be more than $180). This pays for your race fees and travel costs for your first two race weekends (we expect a two race minimum).

After these first two weekends, athletes competing in more races will pay additional fees individually. Any sponsorship and donation revenue goes into subsidizing team race and travel fees. In addition, some coaching will be provided by the club and not by team fees.

Practice Schedule:

September to April

Weekly Saturday morning practice (check our Facebook page for ride updates!) at 9:00 am leaving from Boulevard Coffee Roasters. The ride usually lasts 2 to 4 hours, but is dependent on individual training plans for that week. Additional indoor and outdoor training sessions will be held during the week.

Competition Schedule:

2021/2022 Race Schedule is tentative due to COVID-19 regulations. More information will be announced in early November.

Typically, there are five race weekends in our competition season, taking place from the mid-March to the end of April. Races are around 1 to 13 hours driving distance from Vancouver, depending on the host school. The team will usually depart from Vancouver on Fridays (often later in the day if possible, to allow for members to attend their classes), and drive back after races finish on Sunday morning. A weekend includes a road race and team time trial on Saturday, and a criterium on Sunday morning. Additional information can be found at: http://nwcollegiatecycling.us/

Academic requirements:

Team members are required to maintain good academic standing – minimum 60% average or passing standards as identified by their faculty – and must not be on academic probation.

Team members must be students at the University of British Columbia who are registered in an Undergraduate or Graduate 9-credit course load per term in the current winter session, or fulfilling the requirements for a PhD/Masters, or Co-op Program. (Students registered in diploma programs, certificate programs, or affiliated colleges/ programs with the University of British Columbia including: Carey Theological College, Regent College, St. Mark’s College, and the Vancouver School of Theology, are not eligible for active membership in a UBC Thunderbirds Sport Club.)

Interest Form:

Interested in joining the team? Please complete the following interest form so we can contact you during our recruiting period in September 2021.

INTEREST FORM

View the Cycling Sport Club Recruitment Brochure

2019-2020 Collegiate Season Results in the NWCCC June Strava Challenge:

1st Place in the Team Omnium (overall standings)

• 1 second place finish
• 4 third place finishes

2018-2019 Collegiate Season Results in the NWCCC:

1st Place in the Team Omnium (overall standings)

23 UBC riders competing in all categories

• 15 race wins
• 15 second place finishes
• 11 third place finishes
• 12 fourth place finishes

2017-2018 Collegiate Season Results in the NWCCC:

4th Place in the Team Omnium (overall standings)

17 UBC riders competing in all categories

• 13 race wins
• 14 second place finishes
• 16 third place finishes
• 9 fourth place finishes

2016-2017 Collegiate Season Results in the NWCCC:

3rd Place in the Team Omnium (overall standings)

24 UBC riders competing in all categories

• 12 race wins
• 16 second place finishes
• 16 third place finishes
• 11 fourth place finishes

2015-2016 Collegiate Season Results in the NWCCC:

6th place in the Team Omnium (overall standings)

18 UBC riders competing in Women’s A, B and Men’s A, B, C, D categories including:

• 5 race wins
• 7 second place finishes
• 7 third place finishes
• 5 fourth place finishes

Non-Collegiate Results:

2016 USA National U23 Mtn Bike Champion – Claire Anderson
2016 USA Hill Climb Nationals – Bronze – Margot Clyne
Colorado State Road Champion (SW 1-2) – Margot Clyne
2017 USA Hill Climb National Champion – Margot Clyne

As a part of the UBC AMS Bike Club, our team dates back to the 1990’s, but was recently revived four years ago after many years of dormancy. Following the return of the competitive side of the club in 2014, it has gone from just a handful of riders to more than twenty racers in 2015, 2016 and 2017.

The 2016-17 season marked our inaugural year as a competitive sport club with UBC Thunderbirds Sport Clubs. The club has seen better overall standings since joining TSC. We have moved from 6th, to 3rd, to 4th place in the end of season team standings in the NWCCC over the past years. The 2017-2018 season had several notable accomplishments including holding 2nd place overall in the team omnium for several weeks, and winning the Men’s B and Women’s C omniums.

Former club lead and alumnus Margot Clyne transitioned from competing for UBC Cycling to riding with professional women’s race team. Currently, Margot races for DNA Pro Cycling based in the US. She was pivotal in our establishment as a Thunderbird Sport Club and brought together our strong women’s team.

Riders more interested in mountain biking or a more social club should contact our sister club, the UBC Bike Club.