Leavenworth is known for its very abrupt mountains and steep elevation gain. In the Leavenworth Valley, mountain bikers use these steep mountains as a playground to build trails and to get the adrenaline rush of shredding through the mountains. Travis Blue, a Discovery teacher and a local in the Leavenworth valley, started a club in the early 2010s called Icicle Bicycle. Travis’s passion for mountain biking allowed kids to get involved in not just mountain biking, but also teamwork, racing, and new friendships.
“Enjoy the people you are riding with, racing isn't all about the race itself, it’s also about friendship and getting to know people. Just keep riding, and if you don’t think too much about the uphill, it will be over before you know it,” said Jackson Feeney (11).
After being founded in 2013, the Icicle Bicycle Club only continued to grow in athlete and volunteer participation. In 2013, the team started out with just fourteen athletes, but ten years later in the 2023 season, the team ended up with over fifteen participants. As the team grew, the athletes' love for racing and riding grew as well. This love was shown very well at the 2019 Washinton Student Cycling League State Championships at Squilchuck State Park when Icicle Bicycle came in First Place for the team award.
This win inspired kids to continue racing and riding. Jackson Feeney (11) describes the friendly competition he experienced while participating in Icicle Bicycle: “Icicle Bicycle affected my teamwork the way the team would kind of work of each other, like me and Ivan would be competing against each other a lot, and battled each other to get better.”
Growing up in Icicle Bicycle helped many kids improve their mountain biking skills, teamwork, leadership, competition, and coachability skills. Despite many kids leaving Icicle Bicycle, they continue to carry these life skills with them throughout their high school career.
This year, the Icicle Bicycle club is excited for yet another year of racing. To prepare for the upcoming race season, the team has started practices at Ski Hill that consist of activities that will help their strength, endurance, and skills to get in shape for racing but will also create a fun and helpful environment. As a former leading athlete in Icicle Bicycle, Jackson Feeney has helpful advice for beginning or new riders. “Enjoy the people you are riding with, racing isn't all about the race itself, it’s also about friendship and getting to know people. Just keep riding, and if you don’t think too much about the uphill, it will be over before you know it,” said Feeney.
Icicle Bicycle has come a long way since it began, and with new athletes, coaches, and training tactics, the community is excited to see what the 2024 Icicle Bicycle Team will bring to the table this spring season.