New Kids on the Trail

Collingwood Collective team member Elly Moore. MICHAEL MOORE

Meet Collingwood’s first competitive youth MTB team

A new initiative is turning the wheels for more competitive cycling opportunities in Collingwood.

Launched in the spring, the Collingwood Collective is a cycling team initiative that aims to develop youth mountain bike and cyclocross athletes in South Georgian Bay.

The Collective is spearheaded by Bruce Zigman, owner of downtown Collingwood’s Summit Social House, a bike café that combines coffee, sandwiches and beer with a full-service bike shop. Having grown up racing bikes, Zigman knew the value that a local team could bring.

“I saw what racing did for me in my teenage years, and the positive effects it had on me as a person,” said Zigman.

After he moved to Collingwood and opened the area’s first-ever bike cafe, he was shocked to find a void in the competitive bike scene—especially for youth. He always knew he wanted to have a team affiliated with his shop, and after operating for almost a year, he realized the focus needed to be on youth.

“Collingwood has a massive bike scene,” he said. “So I was surprised not to find any of the competitive youth programs you have in other sports around here.”

Zigman already had a handful of his suppliers lined up and ready to sponsor whatever team he did establish when the time came. After further conversations with local businesses who expressed interest in sponsorship opportunities, he realized just how much of a need there was.

Along with Summit Social House, ten other businesses have sponsored the inaugural team, including Propeller Coffee Co., PowerWatts, Pedal Pushers Cycling, Maximum Physiotherapy, F45 Training Blue Mountain, Engel & Völkers, Edward Jones, Collingwood Youth Centre, Chalk’s Training and Barista Coffee Roasters. Zigman said there was a waiting list for sponsors this year.

Cycling kits, race fees and coaching programs are provided by sponsors, and in the future Zigman hopes to add training rides, mentorship and even mechanic services as well. This year, the team budgeted enough to sponsor five riders, but after hosting a kick-off event in April, they raised enough to partially sponsor three more.

The eight cyclists who represent the Collingwood Collective are between the ages of 12 and 16, and while all of them have extensive riding experience, for most of them, this is their first year racing competitively.

It’s up to the riders to decide what races interest them and where they want to travel, but as a team they aim for weekly sessions to work on technique and endurance training. The athletes are also provided with in-season and off-season training guidelines and informal mentorship opportunities.

In June, the Collective received a provincial government grant through Ontario Cycling, allowing them to add four more fulltime athletes to the team, as well as more coaching capabilities and an inventory of equipment to help racers on-site. So far this year, the Collective has boasted at least one podium finish at every race its riders have attended.

“It’s a very friendly community in Collingwood,” Zigman added. “Everybody wants to see people out there on the trails, developing their skills.” –Maddie Johnson