New East End Cycling Team Aims To Give Kids Options

SAG HARBOR, NY — Parents across the East End have long bemoaned the lack of activities for young people year round — and now, a new cycling team could provide a healthy alternative.

A GoFundMe page, East End Trail Blazers Fund, was created by Jason Lucas of Sag Harbor.

Lucas said he's the team director for the East End Trail Blazers, a youth cross-country mountain team that participates in the NICA New York League.

"I grew up in East Hampton and unfortunately it seemed, as I got older, it was harder for me to find things to do as a kid, especially in the fall to early spring window, which we like to call the 'off season,'" he said. "Fortunately for me, in my early adult life I stumbled on cycling and found a passion for it which eventually turned into a career for me. My only wish is that I discovered cycling earlier in life."

Lucas said a coach, Andres, has been integral in launching the team; he has been cycling since he was very young. Originally from Colombia, there were a lot of teams and organizations he was able to participate in and grow his passion for cycling, Lucas said.

When Andres was 15 he moved to New Jersey and then eventually, to the East End.

Unlike Colombia, however, Andres said it was difficult for him to find any organized teams or leagues to participate in.

"When I mentioned to him the idea of putting this team together he was on board almost immediately and said that had this been an option when he was attending East Hampton High School. he would of absolutely been on the team," he said. "Needless to say this is something that hits home for both of us."

East End Trail Blazers was formed in December with the support and guidance of NICA New York, with a mission of giving student athletes from eastern Long Island an opportunity to try a sport typically not offered by schools in an organized, inclusive and safe environment; so far they have nine students signed up for the team and are hoping to grow that number to more than 15 students during the first year, Lucas said.

The National Interscholastic Cycling Association, or NICA, is a 501(c)(3) organization that develops interscholastic mountain biking programs for student-athletes across the United States.

The new East End team is currently seeking sponsorships and donations for safety equipment, loaner helmets and pads, loaner bikes for underprivileged students, team jerseys, team swag, including hoodies, hats and T-shirts, race day equipment, including a tent, table, banner and trainer, team repair stands and tools, spare parts for team repairs, such s tubes, chains, and cables, practice and race day nutrition, such as sport food and hydration, scholarships for underprivileged students, including rider camp, team fees, and league fees, coaching and league requirements, such as first aid and concussion certifications, league and team registration fees, and background checks, travel stipends for race day volunteers, and stipends for team coaches.

The goal, Lucas said, is to make the team accessible to every student that is interested.

"Our goal is to make sure that no student is scared off or feels like they cannot participate because they do not have the right equipment," he said.

To donate, click here.

Photo courtesy GoFundMe.