RACES*
Racing is NOT a requirement to be part of a team.
The North Carolina League hosts community focused race weekends that are designed to provide an inclusive and fun race experience for all student-athletes regardless of previous race experience. In fact, MOST of our student-athletes have never raced prior to toeing the line at one of our events. What makes our events unique is that beyond the opportunity for student-athletes to challenge themselves out on the course, we focus on creating a positive and supportive environment that enables our student-athletes to celebrate each other regardless of their team affiliation. It’s downright the most professional, fun, and supportive race environment you will ever experience!
EXPLORE NC
Explore NC is a league initiative that encourages our teams and student-athletes to explore the amazing trails of North Carolina, and find themselves in the process!
Explore NC is executed at both the league and team level, and is designed to provide a progression of experiences to prepare our student-athletes with the knowledge, skills, and confidence to plan, prepare for, and enjoy Destination Rides as they explore trails across the state of North Carolina.
GIRLS RIDING TOGETHER (GRIT)
The GRiT (Girls Riding Together) program is a NICA national initiative aimed at increasing the overall participation rate of more female student-athletes and female coaches in NICA.
TEEN TRAIL CORPS
Teen Trail Corps is NICA national program designed to provide stewardship opportunities for our student-athlete and their families including, but not limited to, trail workdays, writing to elected officials about cycling concerns, speaking to peers about their MTB experiences, and advocating for MTB access on their local trails. Learn more about Teen Trail Corps here.
COACH TRAINING
The North Carolina League offers various opportunities for coaches to gain the confidence and skills needed to guide our student-athletes out on the trails.
Leaders’ Summits: NICA National hosts virtual trainings that provide coaches the opportunity to learn the fundamentals of what it means to be a NICA Coach while being able to interact with coaches from across the country!
Coach Retreats: Coach Retreats are ideal for returning Level 2 and Level 3 Coaches and pairs discussion-based training with experiential learning that progresses beyond the trainings that are part of the licensure requirements. These events are hosted over a weekend that allows for camping, riding, and camaraderie with fellow coaches from across NC.
On-the-Bike Skills: North Carolina Coach Supporters are experienced and trained coaches who teach coaches HOW to teach mountain bike skills to our student-athletes. On-the-Bike Skills 101 (a Level 2 requirement) teaches coaches how to teach fundamental mountain bike skills while On-the-Bike Skills 201 is designed for those coaches who actively teach skills for their team the opportunity to learn how to teach more progressive and advances skills to their student-athletes.
GRiT Retreats: Our GRiT Retreat is an all-female space for experienced/returning female coaches to connect, learn and develop as NICA coaches in support of the overall GRiT goal of reaching at least 33% female student-athletes participation within the league by 2023.