High School Mountain Bike Racing

Cycling Development is a non-profit organization focused on growing high school and youth based mountain bike teams near Folsom Lake. The team helps each rider achieve his or her athletic goals while instilling a life-time passion for mountain biking. We are a “no cut” sport, meaning if you try, and keep trying, you’re on the team.

Overview
We compete in the NorCal High School Cycling League League rules allow six practices between October 15 and December 1. Regular practice schedules commence on December 1. During October and November, our six practices will be held on weekends to maximize the time we can train.

It’s a big week, take a look at this weeks schedule!

4/1/13 Monday – Tonight is Rider Packet pick up for
the Prairie City Races. If you forgot to signup already
you can do it there 4 pm to 8 pm at Whole Foods in Folsom.

4/2/13 Tuesday – 5:30 pm – 7:15 pm – Meet at Bicycle Plus

4/3/13 Wednesday – Prairie City Training Races – get there
around 5 pm and pre-ride. Races start at 6 pm.

4/5/13 Friday – 4:15 pm – 6:15 pm – Cavitt Jr. HS

4/6/13 Saturday – leave home by 9 am and head to
Monterey for pre-ride.
Team dinner somewhere at 6pm.

Sunday – RACE DAY!

Season Schedule
Tuesday night ride
Wednesday Prairie City Races
Friday after school ride
Saturday long 3-4 hour ride
THANK YOU for supporting Cycling Development.

Take a look at our Sponsors Page.

Racing

Our focus is racing in NorCal High School races sponsored by the National Interscholastic Cycling Association (NICA). NICA is the governing body for high school mountain biking in the United States. Our league includes approximately 40 teams and 700 riders. Girl’s participation is the fastest growing demographic. The League and our own team culture is truly co-ed, and we will work hard to provide an experience that encourages and celebrates girl’s different needs and tastes.

In cross-country bike races, the average speed is usually around ten to twelve miles per hour. Each year the league collects data on injuries from every team. Statistically we suffer fewer serious injuries than most other mainstream sports, especially contact sports. We do our best to minimize the risks to your athlete. Risky behaviors are discouraged or forbidden. The League helmet rule is strictly enforced at all times. We teach each athlete bike-control skills early in the season to minimize the risk of crashing. After all, if you crash you not only risk injury but also lose valuable time during races.

Nutrition
Proper nutrition will have a significant impact on your athlete’s performance. Athletes are expected to be informed and responsible with their eating habits. While this is not a weight-loss program, fat loss and increased lean muscle-mass are typical results of training. Your athlete should eat a high quality diet. An inadequate or junk food diet will put your athlete at a disadvantage against those who are eating to win. Do not use any of the popular fad diets. Nutrition will be discussed more as the season progresses.

Commitment
Parents are encouraged to join their athletes in training and even racing. Some of the races have adult divisions and your help is critical in getting the team to each venue. The coaches and parent ride leaders will train alongside the student-athletes. For those of us on the brink of sending our kids away to college and adult life, this is a special time to share. We hope that our families who are introduced to the sport in this way describe the experience as incredible, eyeopening, and life style changing.

We promise to treat your athlete like a responsible young adult. Accordingly, we will interpret a habit of missed practices and a pattern of disinterest as a signal to be dropped from the team and email communication. If your athlete is unable to attend any of the agreed upon practice rides because of school homework, job schedules, family commitments or other concerns, it is important to consult with us and we will create an alternate plan to keep the season on track.

We recognize that our long training time frame may create an unavoidable overlap with other sports. This is ok. We believe however, that once the season really gets going that trying to do two sports at once is a recipe for frustration and failure at both, may lead to exhaustion and sickness, and can impact academic performance. We discourage this idea.

This is a race team and as such each participant is required to try at least one race. If, after this experience, this rider determines that he/she is not into racing, then they are not forced to continue racing. This is strongly discouraged and students who join the team must be open to experience racing.

Community Service
Team members are required to undertake four hours of community service during the season. This can be completed with charity rides or by assisting with team and NorCal League activities.

Equipment
Your athlete will need appropriate bike cycling clothing, helmet, bike, and night lights. Please consult with me prior to making any purchases. Bicycles and helmets must be inspected and approved for function and safety, then re-inspected at regular intervals. Our textbook is Mountain Bike Magazine’s Mountain Biking Skills available at Amazon. Obtaining all the equipment can be challenging. Prices vary widely and much is available both new and used on the internet at discount prices. We also have free gear people have given the team, and other things available to loan. Our team is sponsored by Bicycles Plus in Folsom.
They offer our team a generous discount. We will also have a onetime team order on Specialized bikes. Let me help you find what you need.

Cost
League registration – $50
Team Jersey and shorts – $140
Race entry fees – $45 x (5 NorCal races)
Team dues – $200

The team dues cover the cost of insurance, food at the NorCal races, support equipment, team registrations, travel costs to get team support trailer to race events and incidental costs. The team does fundraising to help offset expenses. The more money we bring in as a team the lower our dues. No student will be denied participation due to a lack of resources.
Talk to me if you have concerns.

Assistant Coaches and Team Officers
We need lots of help from team parents and volunteers. Some are able to help with transportation and other things, some act in the capacity of helper coaches. Experienced high school riders may consider taking on some of the important responsibilities that make the team function. They may be mentors to the beginner riders, helping with bike mechanics, advice on training and racing and lots of encouragement and reassurance. If your experienced rider would like to be formally designated as a mentor in a specific area, let me know. If parents would like to be trained as ride leaders, please talk to me. You do not have to be a talented rider or racer to function effectively in this role. Please let me know if you have questions.

Goals

To give beginner riders an understanding of our sport and to give them a fun and challenging cycling experience.

To have the intermediate riders advance in racing categories (i.e., beginner, sport and expert).

To have the advanced riders increase proficiency and develop and earn top honors at races.

Rules and Regulations of our Club

Never take risks. This is the number one rule, athletes that have a risk taking attitude or are witnessed to take risks will not be tolerated. A risk is defined as willingly attempting anything which is beyond one’s ability to control in a safe manner.

Always Yield. Even if at times it seems inconvenient. Being sensitive to how others perceive you will assure a positive image for your sport and minimize the restrictions that follow confrontations and negative encounters. Remember that bicycles in the backcountry are a new experience for horses and hikers.

Pass with Care. Let others know of your presence well in advance. Use a chime or audible greeting to avoid startling others. Be especially careful when passing a horse, as each will react differently; stop and ask the rider for instructions. By asking if the horse is easily spooked, you show an awareness of the rider’s needs. Sometimes it may be necessary to dismount and remove your bike from the trail to allow others to pass.

Stay on Trails. Riding off-trail damages meadows and other fragile ecosystems. Never cut switchbacks as this accelerates erosion. Beware the types of soil you are riding on. Never ride on muddy trails and carry your bicycle around muddy spots.

Control your speed. Safe speed is relative to terrain and your experience as a rider. Be able to stop safely without skidding in the distance that you can see ahead. Approach switchbacks and turns in anticipation of someone coming around the bend.

Respect Wildlife and livestock. Do not frighten animals. Close gates as you pass through, unless it appears obvious that they have been intentionally left open.

Do Not Litter. Pack out what you pack in, and if possible, carry out more than your share.

Ride Only on Authorized Trails. Check with local authorities regarding open trails and conditions, and with landowners regarding private land access. Stay off trails that are closed to bicycles.

Plan Ahead. The off-road bicycle will open new horizons to you. Some of these should be approached with respect. If distances are involved, do not travel solo. Expect weather changes. Leave word where you plan to go and when you plan to return.

Minimize Impacts. The practice of minimum impact wilderness use is the philosophy of responsible off-road cyclists. Take only pictures.

Practice

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High School Mountain Bike Racing

Race Schedules