The Coyotes draw riders from Northborough, Westborough, Ashland, Marlborough, Framingham, and Hopkinton. Here is where you can verify by zipcode to ensure you are registering for the right team.

The New England Youth Cycling League is open for middle and high school kids (5th-12th graders). Our ability to accommodate younger riders (5th and 6th grade) may be dependent on the level of volunteer coach engagement.

All riders must wear a helmet and have a mountain bike that is durable enough to hold up mechanically over the rocky and rooty terrain of New England. This typically means a bicycle with at least front suspension purchased from your local bike shop. Bikes purchased from a "big-box" store are of low quality and unsafe for the trails.

We start practicing in late-March or early-April, depending on conditions. This year, the first race is on May 3rd, and the last race is on June 14th.

Practices are held two times per week. Last year, they were held on Tuesday and Thursday at 5:30 PM and lasted approximately 90 minutes. Our primary practice locations are Callahan State Park (Broadmeadow Street Parking Lot, Marlborough) and Vietnam (Adams Street Parking Lot, Holliston, MA). We will occasionally practice in other locations or offer a third practice during the week, depending on the coaches availability.

We break kids up based on skill and endurance level. The number of groups for each practice depends on the number of coaches available. A group could be anywhere from 3 to 10 riders plus the coaches. These are "no-drop" rides; we wait for everyone in the group to come back together, usually at trail intersections. We like to have at least 2 coaches per group of riders, one to lead and one at the back of the group. For the newer riders, we plan on doing short skill trainings before each ride. Often, skills training occurs out on the trails, where we discuss how to overcome various terrain challenges as we encounter them.

We request that riders commit to attending at least 1 practice per week. We also encourage our riders to attend at least 1 of the 6 races, either as a participant or to cheer on the team and experience the race day vibe. Part of your responsibility of being a Coyote is submitting an RSVP for all practices and events via the TeamSnap app.

It's a bit of both. The racers are first grouped based on grade into the Junior series (5th-8th grade) or the Senior series (9th-12th grade). Within the Junior series, a rider will register for 1 of 4 race categories based on their skill level (Varsity, Junior Varsity, JS3, or JS4). Within the Senior series, a rider will register for 1 of 3 race categories based on their skill level (Varsity, Junior Varsity, SS3). In other words, there are 7 race categories for male participants and 7 race categories for female participants, ensuring each rider is competing against kids of similar age and skill.

Season registration is typically around $316, and each race costs approximately $43 to participate in. Check the NEYC website for current pricing.

Absolutely, you're welcome to participate in a practice to check it out, just contact Blake or Jeff so we know you're coming.

Registration for the 2026 season opens December 1, 2025. Returning Coyotes will have early registration access. If you're new to the team, please reach out to Head Coach Blake to request a registration code. We provide codes once we've confirmed we have the coaching capacity to properly support your rider's age and skill level. You can find the registration page at https://www.neyouthcycling.com/. Registration remains open and we maintain capacity throughout the season. While we typically have most riders registered by January, we can continue to welcome new members as the season progresses.

For general inquiries, please email neyc.coyotes@gmail.com. You can also reach Head Coach Blake Carlson at 508-904-1161 or Team Manager Jeff Shearstone at 617-359-5655.

Interested in volunteering? We need you! You don't need to be a strong rider or have the fanciest bike—just a willingness to help. We pair newer coaches with experienced ones who navigate and teach skills. Newer coaches typically ride at the back to sweep and keep groups together, while experienced coaches lead from the front. More coaches means we can support more riders. Mountain biking is special because it's a sport you can do with your child—don't miss this chance! Reach out to Blake or Jeff to start. You'll register as a Level 1 coach and complete a background check ($27). You don't need to attend every practice, just RSVP for the ones you can make. For those interested in improving their riding, the league offers coaching training and skills training opportunities.

NEYC offers limited financial assistance for families who demonstrate need. The aid application can be found on the NEYC webpage.