JAN 31 & FEB 1
LOST MOUNTAIN MIDDLE SCHOOL
700 Old Mountain Rd NW
KENNESAW, GA
REGISTRATION FOR THIS EVENT IS NOW CLOSED.
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Mental Health & Performance for Cycling Leadership
KEYNOTE presentation BY DR. ERIN AYALA
The Georgia Cycling Association Leadership Summit is proudly presented by Honda Powersports & Products
Join Georgia Cycling in Kennesaw for a weekend of learning and discovery. Register for a Saturday Education Day by the end of 2025 and receive the best possible price!
Don’t miss our first-of-its-kind Georgia Cycling Keynote Presentation. Dr. Erin Ayala will join us Saturday morning with her presentation titled Mental Health & Performance for Cycling Leadership: Supporting Youth Athletes On and Off the Trail.
This two-part presentation is explicitly designed for our coaches and will focus on evidence-based strategies to help coaches understand and normalize the emotional ups and downs of teenagers, handle emotional breakdowns and anxiety, and shift from outcome-focused to effort-focused coaching.
Dr. Ayala will be back in the afternoon for guided reflection, during which participants can discuss their experiences, share insights, and develop actionable plans to create a positive team culture that supports lifelong cycling.
You will leave with practical tools and strategies tailored to your role as an advocate, mentor, and leader, while fostering connections with other cycling leaders to strengthen the community.
About the presenter: Dr. Erin Ayala is a Licensed Psychologist, Certified Mental Performance Consultant, and member of the USOPC Mental Health Directory, specializing in female athlete mental health. Based in Minneapolis, MN, she serves on several professional boards and committees, including the MN State High School Sports League’s Sports Medicine Advisory Council. She brings 15+ years of experience in both clinical practice and research, along with her personal background as a competitive cyclist. As a regular speaker for regional and national events, she currently holds the record for the highest-rated Coaches Summit presentation in history for the Minnesota Cycling Association.
GIRLS RIDE LEADERSHIP WORKSHOP: Dr. Erin Ayala will be part of a special afternoon session that is open to our female coaches and our Girls Ride Advisors. During this special small-group workshop, Dr. Ayala will focus on the barriers girls face in sports. Topics will range from fear of judgment and the need to prove oneself to body image and perfectionism. Attendees will also have the opportunity to do a question-and-answer session with Dr. Ayala. This workshop is free of charge, but we request attendees reserve a spot in advance by clicking here.
SCHEDULE FOR SATURDAY, JANUARY 31
| TeamMTB Attendees | Trail Rangers Attendees | Girls Ride Attendees | First Aid Attendees | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 8 - 8: 30 a.m. | Check In & Coffee | |||||
| 8:30 - 9:00 a.m. | We Are Georgia Cycling | 8: 30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. ADVANCED FIRST AID/CPR TRAINING | ||||
| 9:10 - 9:55 a.m. | The Coach-Preparing You To Prepare Them | |||||
| 10:05 - 10:50 a.m. | Team Management Landscape | |||||
| 11-11:50 a.m. | Keynote Presentation: Supporting Youth Athletes On and Off the Trail by Dr. Erin Ayala | |||||
| 11: 50 a.m. - 1 p.m. | Lunch Break | |||||
| 1:10 - 1:55 p.m. | Designing Effective and Engaging Practices Zach Taylor | Maximizing Coach Engagement Stephen & Charlotte Sisk | TBD | |||
| 2:10 - 2:55 p.m. | Maximizing Coach Engagement Stephen & Charlotte Sisk | Take Charge of Your Race Weekends Tracy Honeycutt | Taking Your Practices to the Next Level Chad Hayes | Trail Rangers Program Training | Girls Ride Leadership Session | |
| 3:10 - 3:55 p.m. | Taking Your Practices to the Next Level Chad Hayes | Take Charge of Your Race Weekends Tracy Honeycutt | Practice Design and Engagement Zach Taylor | |||
| 4:05 - 4:45 p.m. | Leadership Summit Closing Session | |||||
SCHEDULE FOR SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 1
| On the Bike Training Sessions | First Aid Training | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 9:15 a.m. - 12:45 p.m. | TeamMTB Mountain Bike Coaching 101 | 8: 30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. ADVANCED FIRST AID/CPR TRAINING | ||
| 9:15 a.m. - 12:45 p.m. | TeamMTB Mountain Bike Coaching 201 | |||
| 9:15 a.m. - 12:45 p.m. | TeamMTB Mountain Bike Coaching 301 | |||
| 9:15 a.m. - 12:45 p.m. | Trail Rangers Skills & Gameplay | |||
DOWNLOAD OUR INTERACTIVE 2026 LEADERSHIP SUMMIT PROGRAM
Discover detailed descriptions for our educational sessions and learn more about this event. It is your complete planning tool to maximize your experience!
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