Who We Are
Valley Learning Cycling is a homeschool mountain bike team serving students in grades 6–12 throughout Central Pennsylvania. As part of the PICL and NICA leagues, we provide a fun, supportive environment where student-athletes can develop mountain biking skills, build confidence, form lasting friendships, and enjoy the outdoors.
Riders of all experience levels are welcome- from beginners trying mountain biking for the first time to experienced riders looking to grow their skills and compete.
Homeschool students grades 6–12
Central Pennsylvania
Inclusive team culture
PICL & NICA affiliated
Our Coaches
A note from the coaches
Our mountain bike team exists to get more homeschool kids on bikes and create a community where they can learn, explore, and grow together. Serving students in grades 6–12 throughout North Central Pennsylvania, we welcome riders of all experience levels, from beginners to experienced riders. Through practices, trail riding, trail work and stewardship, and friendly competition, students develop technical skills, confidence, perseverance, teamwork, and a love and respect for the outdoors. We believe being a mountain biker means more than riding trails, it means helping care for and give back to the places we love to ride.
Chelsi Manwill (Team Director)
Chelsi is a homeschooling mom of three girls and one of the founding leaders of Valley Learning Cycling. Inspired by her oldest daughter’s love of mountain biking and a desire to create opportunities for her younger daughters in the years ahead, Chelsi is passionate about building a team where homeschool students can find adventure, friendship, confidence, and belonging.
As Team Director, she is excited to help create a welcoming environment where riders of all abilities can grow in their skills, challenge themselves, and discover just how capable they are, both on and off the bike. Chelsi believes some of the best lessons are learned outside, and she is thrilled to help establish a lasting mountain biking community for homeschool families throughout North Central Pennsylvania.Contact Director Manwill at chelsimanwill@gmail.com
Brandon is a devoted husband, father of three girls, and an enthusiastic mountain biker who is excited to share his love of the sport with the next generation of riders. As a founding leader of Valley Learning Cycling, he and his wife, Chelsi, are building the team not only for their oldest daughter, who is a member of the inaugural team, but also with hopes that their younger daughters—and many other homeschool students—will enjoy the same opportunities for years to come.
As Head Coach, Brandon is committed to fostering a team culture centered on encouragement, perseverance, sportsmanship, safety, and fun. He believes mountain biking is about much more than competition—it’s about developing confidence, embracing challenges, building friendships, and cultivating a lifelong love of adventure and the outdoors.
Brandon Manwill (Head Coach)
Jesse Shipe (Assistant Coach)
Meet Jesse Shipe. Homeschool dad, graphic designer, and now an assistant coach to the homeschool mountain bike group formed just this year. Mountain biking is a new adventure for him as well, but he has spent many hours learning all he can. He has completed NICA level 1 coach training and is working towards improving his own skills to train for levels 2 and 3. What started as an effort to support our kids has become an activity our whole family enjoys. We have found this sport offers a way to get physical activity, learn self discipline, and how to push yourself in a fun, and supportive environment. This is a hobby that is good for you and can carry on into adulthood to maintain a healthy lifestyle. Jesse is really enjoying the opportunity to help lead the group on this journey!
Our Team
Joshua 12th Grade
Allen 7th Grade
Arietta 6th Grade
Jack 6th Grade
Emmitt 6th Grade