BEARINGS MTB
ATLANTA’S YOUTH MOUNTAIN BIKING TEAM
REGISTRATION IS NOW OPEN!
WHY MOUNTAIN BIKING
There's something that happens to a kid the first time they ride a trail in the woods. It's not just the speed or the dirt or the trees rushing past. It's the feeling of doing something hard — and making it.
Mountain biking has a quality most youth sports don't. You can race it competitively, or you can ride it at your own pace and just notice how beautiful the world is. Both are valid. Both are the point. A kid who never podiums but shows up every Monday and Wednesday because the woods make them feel good — that's a win. That's what we're here for.
At Bearings MTB, we believe bikes change lives. Not as a slogan — as something we see happen in front of us, season after season. Kids get stronger. They get more confident. They make friends they wouldn't have made anywhere else. And they discover that they're capable of more than they thought.
We're building something in Atlanta. Come be part of it.
ABOUT THE PROGRAM
Bearings MTB is a youth mountain biking team based in Atlanta, Georgia, open to all middle and high school students in grades 6–12. We compete as a composite team under the Georgia Cycling Association's TeamMTB league — bringing together riders from different schools and neighborhoods across the city.
Bearings Bike Works is a nonprofit organization in Adair Park, Atlanta, dedicated to using bikes as a tool for youth development. Mountain biking is one expression of that — getting kids outside, onto trails, and into a community that believes in them.
No tryouts, no experience required. Just a willingness to show up and ride.
WHO CAN JOIN
Bearings Composite is open to middle and high school students in Atlanta (grades 6-12). Whether you're a beginner or an experienced rider, there are no tryouts to join, so everyone is welcome! In partnership with the Georgia Cycling Association’s TeamMTB, the program encourages students to get active, boost their self-confidence, and develop lifelong healthy habits—all while having fun on the trails.
Season runs July 15 – October 21, 2026. Practices every Monday and Wednesday.
Practice location: Southside Park — 3460 Jonesboro Rd SE, Atlanta, GA 30354
Meet us at the trail. Be ready to ride at 5:20 PM. Practice ends at 7:45 PM.
All updates, reminders, and any schedule changes are posted on InstaTeam, our team communication app.
2026 PROGRAM DETAILS
TRANSPORTATION
Families drop off and pick up at Southside Park. Practice starts at 5:20 PM and wraps at 7:45 PM — please plan accordingly.
If your child is using a Bearings bike or helmet, their gear will be transported to Southside and will arrive by 5:15 PM.
If getting to practice is a challenge, please reach out and we'll work through options together.
COME HANG OUT
Southside Park is a big, beautiful space and practice nights are some of our favorites. Bring a picnic blanket, your bike, your friends, and your family. The park has tennis and pickleball courts, open trails, and plenty of room to spread out.
This is a community, not just a team. Practice nights are a chance to hang out, cheer on the kids, and enjoy somewhere beautiful while doing cool things on bikes. Every Monday and Wednesday, all season long — the more the merrier.
Seriously, stay. You're already there. :)
SNACKS + WATER
We keep it simple and real: fresh fruit and water at every practice. Bananas, apples, carrots — the good stuff. Parents are welcome to bring additional food for their family.
PRACTICE
Riding takes place from 5:20–7:45 PM, grouped by skill level so every rider gets the most out of their time on the trail. Whatever your experience, you belong here and you matter to this team equally.
PICKUP
Practice wraps at 7:45 PM at Southside Park. Please plan to pick up your rider promptly.
RACE SCHEDULE
The 2026 season includes four regular season races and a State Championship. Races are held across Georgia — plan for an early morning and a full day out. Bearings competes in the West Division.
Race 1
August 30
“The Cleveland Climb”
Yonah Preserve
Cleveland, GA
Race 2
September 19
“The Dirt Dash at Dauset”
Dauset Trails
Jackson, GA
Race 3
October 4
“The Challenge at WBW”
Walter B. Williams Park
Milledgeville, GA
Race 4
October 17
“Clash at the Creek”
Allatoona Creek Park
Acworth, GA
5th Annual MTB Fest
October 24
Kingston Downs
Rome, GA
State Championship
October 25
Kingston Downs
Rome, GA
END OF SEASON PARTY!
Wednesday, October 28 — at Bearings Bike Works
Every season ends the same way: together. We gather at Bearings for food, music, awards, and a proper send-off for every rider who put in the work this year. Riders, coaches, and families all invited
REGISTRATION INFO
Enrollment is open through August 19, 2026 — but don't wait. Practice begins July 15th and the sooner your rider is registered, the more time they'll have on the trail before the race season begins.
To register, click the button below and select "Join Team" on the Bearings Composite – 2026 page.
New to the program? You'll create an account to get started. Returning rider or Trail Rangers alumnus? Log in with your existing account.
Questions about registration? Reach out to Coach Nick at nick@bearingsbikeworks.org.
NEED FINANCIAL ASSITANCE?
We want every kid who wants to ride to be able to ride. Full stop.
Participating in the GCA league requires a fee that covers races, coach training, and insurance. That fee goes directly to the Georgia Cycling Association — Bearings Bike Works does not receive those funds and offers our program free to the community.
Through our partnership with GCA and support from donors, limited financial assistance is available for families who need help with the GCA fee.
Priority is given to riders who:
Participate in Skills for Life (12 hours)
Face greater barriers to access
Are actively engaged in the Bearings community
Families are asked to contribute what they can. Every situation is different and we'll work with you.
To apply: Complete the rider assistance application at teammtb.georgiacycling.org/rider-assistance and enter Bearings MTB as the team name.
Questions? Email nick@bearingsbikeworks.org
SKILLS FOR LIFE PROGRAM
Don't have a mountain bike? Here's how to earn one.
Complete Levels 1–3 of Bearings' Skills for Life mechanical training program and you'll earn the bike you ride this season. You'll learn to maintain it, fix it, and understand how it works — and then it's yours.
Skills for Life runs Monday–Thursday, 4:00–6:30 PM. Start early and earn your bike before the season begins.
This is one of the things that makes Bearings different. We don't just lend you a bike for the season. We give you the skills to earn it.
COMMUNICATION & SCHEDULING
All team communication runs through InstaTeam. Once you've registered, you'll receive an invitation to join and a prompt to download the app. Please do this right away — it's how you'll know where we're riding, when things change, and if a practice gets canceled.
Practices are weather-dependent. Cancellations are always communicated through InstaTeam.
Available on Google Play & App Store.
EQUIPMENT FOR THE SEASON
Every rider on the team receives:
A Bearings jersey (yours to keep)
A Bearings Bike Works water bottle (yours to keep)
These are handed out at the first practice.
If your child needs a mountain bike or helmet for the season, we've got you covered. Just email Coach Nick after registering and we'll work together to find the right fit. Bikes and helmets are provided at no cost, kept at Bearings, and our coaching staff will handle transportation to practices and races.
CALLING ALL PARENTS! VOLUNTEER COACHES NEEDED
This program runs on people who care. If you love riding bikes and you love being around kids, we'd love to have you on the coaching team.
No prior coaching experience is required — just enthusiasm, reliability, and a genuine interest in helping young riders grow. We'll take care of the training.
To be a coach:
Must be 18 or older
Complete the Bearings Bike Works volunteer application
Pay the $35 background check fee to Bearings
Interested? Click below or email Coach Nick directly.
Questions?
Questions?
Please reach out to our team if you have questions!
Head Coach:
Nick Van Winkle - nick@bearingsbikeworks.org - (404) 484 - 4180
Bearings Bike Works Executive Director
Tim O’Mara - tim@bearingsbikeworks.org - (404) 484 - 4180