Canadian Club

Developing skills, both on and off the bike, that serve young riders

Club cycliste d’amos develops skills, both on and off the bike, that serve young riders

Club cycliste d’amos, in a small town almost 600 km northwest of Montreal, has helped to develop some big talents in Canada. As the oldest development club in the Fédération québécoise des sports cyclistes, it has built a reputation for itself. President Christine Meunier says emphasizing development over the long-term has paid off. “The pool of cyclists of all levels is impressive for a small town like ours with a population of 13,000,” she says. “We have, over the years, contributed to developing several high-level cyclists, such as Karol-ann Canuel, Keven Lacombe and many others, who serve as inspiration for our young people.”

For all the names people might recognize from Club cycliste d’amos, there are many more who have been affected by it throughout its 55-year existence. Meunier says that the boost the club gives to all riders is also a marker of success. “The fact that young people come back year after year proves that we are doing a good job,” she says. “Yes, our desire is to develop athletes that will stand out at the provincial and even higher levels, but we remain a development club and want to instill in young people a taste for excellence, helping each individual athlete achieve goals based on their own potential.”

Youth aged five to 16 can join Club cycliste d’amos. Head coach David Bernard says the club also draws in riders outside of the standard age range. “Amos is like a big family where everyone wants to give back,” he says, adding it’s not unusual to have former members and even pro cyclists on club rides, creating a unique sense of community. The club’s weekly time trials are open not only to youth riders, but also to adults. Those races against the clock are well-attended every summer. The club involves many facets of the small town – parents, volunteers, local businesses and the municipality. Bernard says even non-cycling motorists support the club. “Everyone knows we’re around and where we ride, so drivers just pay attention and take care of us,” he says.

Bernard, who is in his eighth year as head coach, is a high school teacher also responsible for the club’s sportstudy element. Around the age of 12, members can enrol, dedicating a portion of each school day to cycling. The riders have the opportunity to travel to training camps as they gear up for race season. During the winter, they add in indoor riding and strength training to build cyclingspecific power, which is then directed at either road or mountain bike races.

The program is tough. As Meunier says, the sport isn’t easy, but the challenge is part of what makes it fun. “Cycling is demanding and requires constant selfimprovement,” she says. “As I often say, on a bike you can’t cheat: it’s you who moves the pedals.”

This constant dedication to improvement and development is part of what makes Club cycliste d’amos so successful and sustainable. “These athletes focus on the bike year after year and day after day as part of the group, becoming better cyclists and building self-esteem as part of a team,” Bernard says, adding success is emphasized both on and off the bike. “It’s really important for us to improve individuals year after year, focusing not just on being a pro cyclist or a champion but also on being a good person.”

“It’s not unusual to have former members and even pro cyclists on club rides, creating a unique sense of community.”