“I have seen so much growth and confidence in my son and I attribute it to biking with VeloLove.”
About Us
Welcome to VeloLove, a non-profit organization started in 2014 and based in Utah County. We are dedicated to fostering a love for mountain biking among kids K-12th grade. Our mission is to provide a fun, safe, and inclusive environment where young riders can develop their skills, build confidence, and make lasting friendships.
For the Youth Team info go here.
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Team Goals
Safety and Education
Skill Development
Inclusivity and Accessibility
Community Engagement
Trail Stewardship and Environmental Awareness
Competition Preparation
Physical Fitness and Well-being
Feedback and Improvement
Sustainability and Growth
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Team Philosophy
Adventure and Exploration:
We encourage youth to explore the outdoors, embrace new challenges, and develop a lifelong passion for adventure. Each ride is an opportunity to discover the beauty of nature and push personal boundaries.
Inclusivity and Community:
We strive to create a welcoming environment for all young riders, regardless of skill level, background, or experience. Our club values diversity and promotes teamwork, friendship, and mutual support.
Respect for Nature:
We teach the importance of environmental stewardship. Members learn to respect trails, wildlife, and ecosystems, promoting sustainable practices that ensure our natural playgrounds are preserved for future generations.
Personal Growth:
Through mountain biking, we encourage youth to build confidence, resilience, and problem-solving skills. Each ride offers lessons in perseverance, responsibility, and self-discovery.
Fun and Enjoyment:
Above all, biking is about having fun! We foster a positive, enthusiastic atmosphere where laughter and enjoyment are integral to every ride and event.
Application Checklist
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Read through our team information found here *PLEASE. This will answer ALL of your questions
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Complete the *application form
This form is to be filled out by the athlete.
HIT SUBMIT!!! We have had multiple families miss the application period because their form was not submitted.
*Due to demand, not every applicant will be added to the team.
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Fill out a required waiver for each athlete and parent
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Order your kit/swag. Every Elite athlete is REQUIRED to purchase a 2025 kit (jersey and bibs or skin suit).
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We use Slack to communicate. You will be sent a link to register if your application is approved and after you have completed steps 1-4. This process is done manually, so please be patient as we will send out invitations to Slack as applications are processed and approved.
Elite Team Specifics
Training & Racing
The Elite team trains throughout the winter. Focus is on muscle strengthening and skill development that will assist the athletes in becoming faster, better (and therefore safer) riders in the future. We are concerned more about the work ethic of our riders than we are about the race results. We won’t be riding race pace during our off-season practices, but rather building a base.
Inclusivity
We are restricted in team size by the indoor training spaces available, and although our numbers are small, we hope to include dedicated athletes throughout Utah County. Please commit to only one non-NICA team, so that you can meet the time commitments and allow more athletes these unique opportunities. We hope to eliminate some financial barriers through the generous support of our sponsors, bringing team participation fees to a minimum.
Widen Social Experiences Across Boundaries
We are VeloLove Elite because of our dedication to work, not because we are better than anyone else. Our goal is to be inclusive; not elitist, which means that although we are a small group from a geographically large area that includes many schools, we create unity within the team and learn to develop friendships across borders. We hope to see our athletes continue these friendships, even as they compete against each other in NICA.
Leadership Opportunities
We will serve as instructors to the VeloLove Youth team in the Spring, primarily at their Skills Day event. Our captains will have additional opportunities to lead. The mental and physical skills you learn will be a good foundation for future leadership opportunities on NICA teams and in life.
Team Camp
Everyone who meets the winter training requirements will be invited to St. George for our team camp where we will ride together, work on specific bike handling skills and prepare athletes for race opportunities.
Applications for the 2025 Season are now closed
FAQs
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VeloLove Elite accepts riders who are currently in 7th-11th grade at the time of application.
Younger riders can apply for the Youth team
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A working mountain bike: Please make sure that the tires are aired up (and hold air) and that the brakes and shifters are working properly. If you are looking for a new bike, or you are unsure if the bike you have is “trail worthy/trail safe”, our dedicated team shop Timpanogos Cyclery can set you up with a good bike, and make sure that it fits your rider.
Helmet: Make sure that it is properly fitting. The front of the helmet should sit in the middle of the forehead and should stay in place. The helmet should not be over 5 years old, as the foam does deteriorate and weaken. If someone shows up without a helmet (junior athlete or adult) they will not be allowed to ride with us. No exceptions.
Water bottle/Camelbak AND water: If you use a water bottle cage on your bike, make sure that the bottle fits snugly within the cage so the bottle does not fall out during the ride. Please do not use disposable water bottles, they will fall out on the trail. Make sure that your Camelbak or water bottle is filled before practice, as some of our ride locations do not have water available for refills. We have found that Camelbaks are easier for young kids to use.
Bike gloves: While not required, they are recommended to protect hands in the event of a crash.
Sunglasses: While not required, they are recommended to protect eyes from debris (dirt, sticks, bugs) and in the event of a crash.
Tube and tire levers: Bring an extra tube the size of your tire. This can be placed in a backpack or a jersey pocket.
Hand pump or CO2/plugs for tubeless tires: This is recommended for all adult leaders and coaches.
Shoes: Close-toed shoes are required! NO SANDALS. You do not need to have “mountain bike specific” shoes, however they are helpful and can maintain a better contact area on the pedals than a regular shoe. We also recommend using flat pedals for our younger riders (not clipped in) until they are proficient riders.
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During the winter the Elite Team does spin classes at the Orem Rec center. We also do other activities such as snowshoeing, hiking, swimming, sledding etc.
Our outdoor rides are mainly in Utah County, with some exceptions for special events and our team training camp in St. George. The Utah County trailhead locations we utilize the most are:
Valley Vista, Pleasant Grove
Lambert Park, Alpine
Corner Canyon, Draper
Hogs Hollow, Corner Canyon
Hidden Hollow, Eagle Mountain
Timpanogos Park, Provo Canyon
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No. All riders must apply and be accepted into the VeloLove Elite program before they ride with the team. In addition, all parent and Elite riders must have a signed waiver before they can participate.
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Indoor training will begin in December. We will begin outdoor rides in the spring when the trails are clear.
Our school time schedule
Tuesday and Thursday from 5:15pm-7:00pm. Athletes and parents are required to arrive 15 minutes prior to the start of the ride so that the rides can begin on time.
Our summer schedule
Tuesday and Thursday from 7:00am-9am. The 15 minute early arrival applies to all rides.
*WHEN NICA SEASON STARTS
Team rides will be optional and planned around when athletes are free to ride. More of a meet-up style that fits in the athletes’ training plans.
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We can not make this club work without the help of parents. We ask that you attend rides and help as a ride leader as often as possible. Don't worry, we will ensure that you understand what you are doing and give you the tools you will need to succeed.
If you don’t/aren’t able to ride, whether it is due to a physical limitation or a scheduling conflict, please reach out to see how you can help with team camp, sponsorship, trail work days, race support, planning etc.
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All athletes are required to purchase THIS YEAR’S team kit: jersey and bibs or a skin suit. All other items in the team store are optional. We are very lucky to have sponsors who support this free program. This is our way of ensuring that we support them and appreciate their sponsorship.