What Is Michigan Cycling (umcycling.org)?

Michigan Cycling (umcycling.org) is the University of Michigan Cycling Club, a collegiate team that races in the Midwest Collegiate Cycling Conference (MCCC). It describes itself as "racing and community for all levels"—welcoming experienced racers and people just getting started, across road, mountain, and cyclocross disciplines. If you're a U-M student or campus community member looking for a team to train and race with, this is the club's public home base.

Who the club is for

The site is explicit that membership isn't limited to elite racers. It says the team includes "riders from all disciplines — road, mountain, and cyclocross — and from all walks of campus life," and that everyone from first-time riders to national-level racers "has a place here." The club frames itself around three things: drive, inclusivity, and competition.

The practical takeaway: if you're new to racing, you don't need a results history to reach out. The site's own suggestion is to contact the officers to learn more or to join a first ride.

What the club actually does

Race season

The collegiate calendar runs in three seasons:

The team competes across the MCCC region, which the site describes as stretching from Wisconsin to Kentucky and as far as St. Louis. Its stated attendance goals are to hit every road race on the schedule, most mountain events, and select cyclocross races.

Logistics are handled at the team level: Michigan Cycling coordinates travel and lodging, typically renting vans for race weekends. Each racer pays seasonal dues that cover those logistics; food is the only individual expense the site calls out.

Spring training camp

The club runs an informal spring training camp, based for several years in Helen, Georgia, in the Blue Ridge Mountains. The site presents it as a team-bonding trip built around climbs and scenery that Michigan doesn't offer.

Community beyond racing

The homepage leads with community rather than results—"Looking for a cycling community? Join us!"—and points prospective members toward officers and a first ride as the entry point.

How to get involved

1. Decide what you want. Racing (road, mountain, or cyclocross) or just riding with a team—the site says both are welcome.
2. Contact an officer. The Officers & Staff section lists named contacts with roles and email links, including the president, vice president, treasurer, travel coordinator, social chair/secretary, and head coach. The site explicitly invites you to "reach out to our officers to learn more or join your first ride."
3. Ask about dues and the season you're targeting. Dues cover team-coordinated travel and lodging; the amount isn't stated on the page, so confirm current figures with an officer.
4. Plan around the calendar. Fall means mountain and cyclocross; spring means road. Time your outreach to the season you want to race.

Things to know before you commit

• Kit store timing: The site notes the kit store "will open in early 2027," so plan on team apparel being unavailable until then.
• Costs: Seasonal dues are required for racers, and food is a separate individual expense. Specific dollar amounts aren't published on the page—ask an officer.
• Travel expectations: Race weekends involve team van travel and lodging across the Midwest, so factor in weekend availability.
• No pricing or signup details online: Membership cost and registration steps aren't spelled out on the site; the stated path is direct contact with officers.

For anyone at the University of Michigan weighing whether to join a cycling team, the site's message is straightforward: the barrier to entry is a message to an officer, not a race result.