As the sun sets on another incredible year, Independence Youth Cycling (IYC) invites you to join us in celebrating a season of remarkable achievements, growth, and memories at our 2023 end-of-season banquet. This is more than just a gathering; it’s a testament to the spirit of IYC and the powerful impact of our bicycle-centric programming on the lives of our student athletes and families.
- Date: Sunday, November 5, 2023
- Time: 11:00 AM – 3:00 PM
- Location: Twining Valley Bike Park, 1400 Twining Rd, Dresher, PA 19025
A Fun Day to Remember
Our end-of-season banquet promises to be an fun day filled with camaraderie, joy, and celebration. Whether you’re a dedicated coach, an enthusiastic athlete, or a proud parent, you won’t want to miss this opportunity to come together with the IYC community.
The day’s events will kick off with a pre-banquet ride on our home-turf TVP trails. Specific ride details will be shared via Team Snap. It’s a chance to savor one final ride of the season, and parents and siblings, you’re more than welcome to join in on the fun too. Following the ride, we will gather for a well-deserved lunch in the TVP MTB Clubhouse, where you can refuel with your fellow IYC friends.
But the highlight of the day will be the acknowledgements and awards ceremony, scheduled for 2:00 PM – 3:00 PM. This is where we’ll honor the achievements and excellence that have set IYC apart in the world of youth cycling.
An Impressive Year of Accomplishments
In 2023, IYC continued to blaze a trail in the Pennsylvania Interscholastic Cycling League. Here are some of our remarkable accomplishments:
Roster Growth: We welcomed 15 new student athletes and 25 new coaches, expanding our IYC family.
Individual Race Podiums: Our dedication and hard work paid off with several individual race podiums, showcasing our athletes’ talent and determination.
Series Podiums – Individual
- Leena Dotterer – 9th Female – 1st place
- Lillian Altemus – JV2 Female – 5th place
- Dan Regan – 6th Male – 5th place
Team Series Division 1: SoMont Cheltenham secured a commendable 9th place in the team series Division 1 in a total of 51 teams across the state.
Teen Trail Corps: IYC’s dedication to trail advocacy and environmental awareness was evident with 550 total Teen Trail Corps hours contributed.
Teen Trail Corps Season – Individual
- Gwen Schadel – 8th female, SoMont Cheltenham
- Lillian Altemus – 10th female, SoMont East
- Emmaline Schadel – 11th grade, SoMont Cheltenham
- Leena Dotterer – 9th grade, SoMont West
PICL Power or One Volunteer Acknowledgements
- Jason Schadel, SoMont Cheltenham
- Jill Vanderpool, SoMont Abington
- Brian Vanderpool, SoMont Abington
Participation in state-wide vents: We were actively involved in six state-wide events and seven local dirt events, further solidifying our presence in the cycling community.
Outside of NICA, Circle Cycle Racing team secured first place in the Grassroots category for the fourth consecutive year.
CCR Riders who Performed well at MASS Series Races, Some Achieved Series Podiums
- Cat 2 Women under 19 Series Leaders
- June Pezalla-Granlund, 3rd place
- Leena Dotterer, 4th place
- Emma Schadel – 5th place
- Junior Female Series Leaders
- Gwen Schadel, 3rd place
Our dedication didn’t stop there. We also achieved numerous milestones outside of the racing arena:
Technology Upgrade: IYC migrated to a more powerful TeamSnap and enhanced our registration processes, streamlining our communication and operations.
Bike Fleet Expansion: Our bike fleet grew to a total of 15 bikes, including five used and six new bikes. We were even recognized with a prestigious award, receiving new bikes from DCNR/PICL/Trek.
TVP MTB Park Opening: The inauguration of Twining Valley Bike Park marked a significant achievement, and our inaugural local dirt event at TVP was a resounding success. A huge thank you goes out to Upper Dublin township for their commitment to build this park.
Venturing Into Cyclocross: We expanded our horizons by embracing the world of cyclocross with our partner Guys Juniors Racing Club, adding another exciting dimension to our cycling journey.
Fundraising and Sponsorship: We raised an impressive $2,200 through the 2022 PICL/Trek sweepstakes and garnered additional support from 10 overall sponsors.
College Racing: Notably, three IYC alumni are now racing at the collegiate level, a testament to the lasting impact of our programs.
This banquet is more than a simple celebration; it’s a testament to the relentless dedication of our participants, coaches, and supporters. Together, we’ve achieved milestones and created a vibrant community that thrives on the power of cycling.
We’ll be providing the main course, but we invite you to contribute by bringing a side dish, a drink, or a dessert to share with the community. Please remember to bring serving utensils or crock pots if necessary.
Join us on November 5th as we commemorate our accomplishments, share our passions, and create lasting memories. Let’s make this day of cycling, community, and celebration nothing short of extraordinary. We look forward to seeing you there!
