Off screens and
Onto Bikes
Lakeland Lynx is a 5th–12th grade mountain bike team in Polk County, Florida, where every rider belongs. Whether they’re new to trails or already racing every weekend, your kid will make friends, learn skills, and grow strong in body, mind, and character.
You want your kid having fun outside with friends
You see your kid glued to a screen and you know they need something real. Dirt, trees, and teammates who cheer for them.
You want a sport where there are no cuts and no bench warmers. Where it’s normal to start as a total beginner.
You care about safety. You’re probably also wondering about gear, cost, and time.
Do we need a fancy bike?
Can we afford this?
Will my kid be pushed too hard or left behind?
Keep reading (and check out our join page) for answers to these and other common questions!
Welcome to your kid’s MTB team in Lakeland
Lakeland Lynx is a NICA youth mountain bike team that rides and races cross-country trails together from December through May. We are a fun team that happens to race. Some student athletes are serious competitors. Many just love riding with friends.
The team is open to any middle or high school aged student athlete in good academic standing. Student athletes must be enrolled in a school or participating in home-school. As a composite team, athletes may attend any school and live anywhere in the Polk County area. Riders of all skill levels are welcome. Everyone practices, everyone can choose to race, and there are no tryouts or benchwarmers.
We practice two times a week on the trails at Loyce E. Harpe Park (Carter Rd). Skills and warm-up start in the big grassy field by the main pavilion, then we head into the woods. Sometimes we visit nearby trail systems like Alafia or Balm Boyette for new challenges.
The season starts with six preseason events beginning in October, with welcome rides, parent info nights, trail work, and a “Try it Out” day. Official practices begin in December. League races run from late January through April at trails across the state of Florida.
You don’t need to know anything about mountain biking. You only need a student who wants to ride!
We practice at Loyce Harpe Park (Carter Road)
What your rider
gains with the Lynx
Everyone rides, every time
Your rider will never sit on the sidelines. There are no cuts and no bench. Every student is part of the group ride, learns skills, and has the option to race when they are ready.
Coaches who care
about more than trophies
All of our coaches are NICA licensed, background checked, and trained in youth development, safety, and first aid. They teach skills and fitness, but they also mentor kids in character, resilience, and respect for the trail and each other.
Nature, fitness, and friends
in one simple schedule
Two practices a week is enough to build real fitness and confidence while still leaving room for school and family. Your rider will get off the screens, out in the woods, and into a crew that has their back.
Who can join the Lakeland Lynx?
Lakeland Lynx is open to:
Middle and high school students in grades 5–12
Students in good academic standing
Students enrolled in public school, private school, or homeschool
Because we are a composite team, athletes may attend any school and live anywhere in the greater Polk County area. We give back to the community through trail building and maintenance and other charitable endeavors.
Brand new riders are welcome. Experienced racers are welcome. We work hard to make sure no one rides alone and no one feels like an afterthought, including girls and under-represented riders. Check out GRiT, our Girls Riding Together program.
How to join
Step 1: Fill out the season interest form
Click the button below and complete our short form. We will follow up with practice details, preseason events, and next steps.
Step 2: Come to a preseason event or “Try it Out” ride
Join us for a trail ride, parent info night, or trail work day in October or November. Your rider meets the team. You meet the coaches. You both get a real feel for the culture.
Step 3: Register in the NICA Pit Zone
Once you are ready to commit, we send a Pit Zone invite by email. This is where you complete league forms, pay the league fee, and officially become part of the Lynx family.
Step 4: Show up ready to ride
Bring your bike, helmet, water, and a good attitude.
We’ll teach the rest.
Common questions from parents
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Yes. Many of our riders start with zero trail experience. We teach basic bike handling, braking, cornering, climbing, and descending in a fun, low-pressure way. We group rides by skill and fitness so your student is challenged but not overwhelmed.
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No. Racing is encouraged but always optional. Some kids race every event. Others never race and still have a full, rich season of riding, learning, and serving. Everyone rides. No cuts, no bench.
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We practice at Loyce E. Harpe Park (Carter Rd) in South Lakeland. We meet just to the right of the main pavilion and start on the big grassy field before heading into the trails.
During the main season we typically ride:
Tuesdays, 6:00–8:00 pm
Saturdays, 9:00–11:00 am
If a practice is canceled because of weather, we do not schedule a makeup day. Safety and trail health come first.
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Every student athlete is responsible to bring:
A mountain bike approved by a coach and suitable for trail riding
Helmet
Water bottle or hydration pack
Weather-appropriate clothing
Closed-toe shoes
Basic repair kit: multi-tool, tube or patch kit, tire levers, small pump or CO₂
Snack
Any necessary personal medical items (for example EpiPen, insulin, Benadryl)
If gear cost is a problem, talk to us. We often have loaner bikes and gear available and can help with scholarships.
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Mountain biking is an outdoor sport with real risk, but we work hard to manage that risk well.
All coaches are NICA licensed and background checked.
Coaches are trained in first aid, CPR, concussion awareness, and athlete abuse prevention.
We follow the Florida NICA Risk Management and Code of Conduct guidelines.
Helmets are required any time a rider or coach is on a bike. No helmet, no ride.
We keep group sizes small and choose trails and speeds that match the group.
We teach and model “ride within your limits” and “safety first, speed second.”
Our goal is simple: physical and emotional safety that lets kids grow in confidence and joy.
Ready to see your kid ride with the Lynx?
Preseason events start in October. If your student is even a little bit curious, reach out!
Hit the button, fill out the interest form, and we will walk you through each step.