Founded in 1970 under the sanction of the ABL (the American Bicycle League, the predecessor to the USCF), the Nomad Sports Club is one of the oldest continuously active racing clubs in the United States. 

The club was born in New York City, when a number of cyclists from several teams in that early hotbed of American racing decided to form a squad of their own. Their goal was to foster a more relaxed, open and informal atmosphere than that existing in some of the older “European style” teams which had held sway for many years in the northeast. The club raced successfully throughout the early and mid ‘70s, and numbered several district and state champions among its members. The Nomads split into eastern and western branches in 1978, when club president John Weist moved to Portland, and began to attract local riders to the team.

A masters oriented club from the outset, the Nomads saw their racing activity wane from the mid 80s to the mid 90s (although never completely stopping), as members matured and became focused on careers and families. In the late 90s, Nomad racing underwent a renaissance, as new members took up the torch, and became a significant presence in the busy Oregon racing scene. At the same time, a number of the “senior” members of the team resumed racing, bringing the team’s racing membership total to over 30.  

Currently, the team has active racers in the northwest, midwest and northeast, is active in all cycling disciplines, and can count several district road and track champions among its members, along with a strong triathlon contingent. The club has maintained a master’s racing focus, with particularly strong participation from women and senior master’s racers.