Sam Reichley lost his athletic competitive impulse after graduating from high school eight years ago. The Marlborough Township resident claims he rediscovered it while volunteering at Scott Roth's bike shop in East Greenville.

Members of TeamBSR ride through Green Lane Park on Monday

            Since joining a cycling team created by the owner of Bike & Sol, located at 104 Main St., Reichley says he's eating better and is in good physical shape. Participation has allowed him to avoid bad habits.

            Last month, TeamBSR kicked off its inaugural season. Six members compete in weekly track and road races, mostly at The Valley Preferred Cycling Center, described as one of the country's premier cycling venues in Trexlertown.

            "Scott suggested that I try it," said Reichley, a carpenter who lives in the Sumneytown section of Marlborough. "I love it."

            According to Reichley, the sport teaches determination, focus and hard work. He said individual success is based directly on one's level of commitment.

            The 501(c)(3) non-profit development team supports mental health awareness and individual development through junior, novice, elite, and master racing programs, according to its website. Youth riders can participate at no cost. Its website describes the novice program as an educational pathway that equips individuals with the training, skills, and resources they need to start their competitive cycling career.

      Roth – lead pastor at the Line Lexington Mennonite Church, located in New Britain Township – says he started the team to promote the sport and help young people develop valuable life skills, such as time management. He expects to spend approximately $10,000 on bicycles and fees during the team's initial season.

      "I want everyone on the team to have fun and realize they can take this sport as far as they want," said Roth, who is attempting to attract a race to East Greenville. "There is no ceiling."

            Members range in age from 16 – represented by Josh Frederick, from Telford, and Roth's son Rowan, from Red Hill – to Scott Roth, 49. In between, the roster includes Reichley, 26, Peter Niezgoda, 27, from Harleysville, and Joshua Seizter, 45, from Macungie.

            "It's a great group of guys," said Reichley, who competes in the Category 5 Novice program.

            The team – led by sports director Ethan Hendricks, a 21-year-old racer who has posted more than 25 top-three finishes in pro/elite amateur events over the past two seasons and has competed internationally – is scheduled to end the season Aug. 25 at the QCW Summer Slam event at the cycling center. Throughout the winter, the members plan to continue competing in various disciplines in the greater Lehigh Valley region such as mountain bike and cyclocross.

            Team members sign a contract committing to participate in six races sanctioned by U.S.A. Cycling, the sport's governing body. In a given race season, the team will attend at least 35 races. According to Hendricks, the goal is to make sure the organization's support is worthwhile and that each rider receives "a decent amount of race experience."

            Since graduating in 2016 from Upper Bucks Christian School, where Reichley played varsity basketball and soccer, he has focused on outdoor sports. Rock climbing became his primary activity.

            Since joining TeamBSR, Reichley has embraced the sport's competitive aspect. A few weeks ago, he won a training race – held every Thursday night on a road track at the Bob Rodale Cycling and Fitness Park, located next to the cycling center – against a field that often includes opponents from New York and New Jersey teams.

            "I really wanted to push myself," said Reichley, who estimates that he's spent between $1,000 and $1,500 on equipment despite joining the team with his own bike. "Hard work is the key to succeeding."

            Reichley, who prefers road races to competing on a track, said he trains every day. He estimates accumulating between 100 and 200 miles a week. The team goes on a practice ride once or twice a week and sometimes trains at the shop.

            The team's recruitment process is scheduled to commence on Sunday, Aug. 25. According to Hendricks, 10 local individuals are interested in joining for next season.