The Cadence Cycling Foundation grew to address a previously ignored need in the Philadelphia community. Cadence identified that there were many children in Philadelphia who were interested in participating in cycling, but lacked accessibility to the sport. Understanding the importance of the life skills that can be learned through organized sports, the Cadence Cycling Foundation was formed in 2007 with a mission to Help Kids Create Opportunities through Cycling. In 2010 we incorporated triathlon teams into the foundation.

The Cadence Cycling Foundation strives to help Philadelphia, Camden, and Delaware youth between the ages of 9 and 18 discover the possibilities that the sport of cycling and triathlon have to offer. The Foundations mentors and coaches work with participants to develop life skills, both on the road and in the classroom. These life skills include goal setting, discipline, teamwork, commitment and confidence building.

Coaches will teach and train CCF athletes twice a week during the spring and summer months, preparing them to participate in races on the weekends. The Cadence Cycling Foundation has partnered with race promoters around the Philadelphia area, allowing riders to participate at their different events. Some teams (Shoemaker and Girard College) have members who are training for triathlon as well as cycling. Triathlon teams will practice three times a week, cycling two of those days. All of the equipment, including bicycles, helmets, and transportation, are provided to the participants in the program free of charge but with intrinsic responsibility.

With the goal of participating in races on the weekends, Cadence athletes have a lot to look forward to. The races give athletes the opportunity to get out of their neighborhoods and gain exposure to world class events held locally. They also offer a chance to race against other kids from the Philadelphia area, promoting competition and relationship building. Races provide participants with external motivation, as they get to meet and see professional athletes compete.

Despite its focus on cycling, the Cadence Cycling Foundation is not just about riding and racing. The Cadence Cycling Foundation incorporates a number of educational initiatives in our program to teach cyclists that they are not just athletes, but are student-athletes. The Cadence Cycling Foundation recently launched an educational program in 2009 called the Cadence College ConneXion (CCC). The College ConneXion is an educational program that is offered to Cadence participants who are in 11th and 12th grade, and is designed to help transfer the life skills learned through cycling and apply them to the college admissions process and the working world.