Lower Bucks Youth Mountain Bike Team Seeks Riders

LOWER BUCKS COUNTY, PA —The Lower Bucks Youth Mountain Bike team is ready to roll once again.

The organization is seeking bikers for the upcoming fall season and is calling on middle schoolers and high schoolers to sign up for registration and even participate in a "Try It" ride for new riders on Saturday.

The 60-person, co-ed team comprises student-athletes from the Centennial, Pennsbury, Neshaminy, Bristol, Bensalem, Morrisville, and Council Rock school districts, said Neil McKeon, the Lower Bucks Youth Mountain Bike team director.

"This is obviously a unique sport and most of our student-athletes have found the team through word-of-mouth," McKeon told Patch.

You don't need to be an avid rider either. McKeon said that there are no tryouts and that everyone rides.

"Our goal is to get more kids on bikes," he said.

The bikers practice throughout Lower Bucks County from July to November and compete in the Pennsylvania Interscholastic Cycling League with more than 1,600 riders.

Anyone who wants to register, be part of a Zoom call, or participate in the "Try It" ride should reach McKeon by email at LowerBucksMTB@gmail.com for more information or questions.

There are at least nine racing opportunities this fall, McKeon said. Riders range from competitive racers to riders new to the sport.

He said the riders have competed at Neshaminy High School, Allentown, Pittsburgh, Blue Mountain, Gettysburg, and Johnstown.

The group does trail work, mainly at Core Creek Park and Neshaminy High School. Practices usually take place Tuesday and Thursday, he said. The group can be found at 20 different parks, including Wissahickon, Nockamixon, Pennypack, and Fairmount.

"We try to be good stewards of the land," he said.

The sport is perfect too for those who might not fit into other sports.

McKeon found that out when his 18-year-old child was in 7th grade and didn't fit into baseball or football.

"He found his home, his mix of people, and his community," McKeon said. "It's great because these kids are really special."