Outlaw Cycling set to hit the trail

Young cyclists in Sisters now have their own sport and their own team: Outlaw Cycling.

Launched as a club sport under the auspices of Sisters Park & Recreation District (SPRD), the mountain biking team starts training this spring.

According to Coach Brett Miller, Outlaw Cycling offers both the camaraderie of a team sport and the independence and initiative associated with an individual sport.

"We train as a club or a team, but you race as an individual - if you want to race," Miller told The Nugget.

The club is tentatively scheduled for eight races. With a vast array of age and skill categories, riders can be competitive at their own level, whether they are experienced or just trying the sport out.

The club will meet starting right after spring break on Monday, Wednesday and Friday after school, to work on bike handling skills and fitness training. While the focus is on mountain biking now, Miller expects to add disciplines as the club grows.

Miller is joined by assistant coach Warren Rice, who is also a custom bike builder.

"If someone wants to assistant-coach or help out, they're more than welcome," Miller said.

The team has access to the SPRD van and bike trailer to get them to events at Mt. Hood, Florence, Eugene and several in Central Oregon, including the home race, the Sisters Stampede.

"Stampede is going to be the highlight race, of course," Miller said.

Outlaw Cycling members will be members of the Oregon Bicycle Racing Association (OBRA), which will allow them to extend their participation to any OBRA-sanctioned events.

Miller emphasizes that any interested high school student should come out and give Outlaw Cycling a try, even if they're lacking equipment. Blazin Saddles is working out a program to assist students in need.

Miller noted that, "Casey (Meudt of Blazin Saddles) said 'Don't let the bike be the barrier. Tell 'em to come in and we'll work something out.'"

The team has also received support from Sisters Trails Alliance to get team jerseys, and Eric Liddell of Sisters Screen Printing and Embroidery is assisting with the Outlaw Cycling logo.

Miller believes Outlaw Cycling fills an important need in Sisters, providing an outlet for teens who are interested in being active but aren't drawn to formal sports. And he notes that mountain biking is truly a lifelong sport. Early training will get riders fit and comfortable on their bikes, with the goal of participating in the races.

"They gain momentum and confidence, then they have something to shoot for at the end of the year," Miller said.

Miller has a very personal understanding of what cycling can do for a person. Gravely wounded in Iraq, cycling became part of a recovery program and part of Miller's commitment to the Wounded Warrior Project (www.

woundedwariorproject.org).

Outlaw Cycling is a way for Miller to pass it on.

"It was actually Faith, my teenage daughter, who convinced me to coach," Miller said. "She said, 'Since you've benefitted so much from it, why don't you share it with somebody else.' To tell the truth, I think it's as much fun for me as it is for the kids."

For more information find Sisters Outlaw Cycling on Facebook or contact SPRD at 541-549-2091 or visit www.sistersrecreation.com.