Youth Mountain Biking Programs Grow Across Wisconsin, Minnesota and Michigan

Twenty-six eighth-grade girls stare down the trail, hands locked on handlebars, poised at the starting line. The countdown begins- 10. 9. 8. 7. 6. 5. Then—silence. Evelyn tightens her grip. Her heart pounds as she waits for the signal. “I do the silent count inside my head, trying to time my start. I’m always nervous at the beginning, even though I’ve been racing for three years,” Evelyn told Silent Sports following the race. Then the megaphone cracks through the silence: “GO!”

Evelyn slams down on the pedals. Twenty bikers surge forward, tires clawing for traction as the racers fight for position before the trail funnels into singletrack. “My friend Mel and I worked for the front before the trail narrows,” Evelyn explained. “We got out nicely. It’s easier to be out front.” Now the nerves are gone. Only speed remains, with the burn building in her legs. And one thought-push harder!

This is youth mountain biking in the Wisconsin Cycling League, fast, demanding, and intensely personal. It tests courage and endurance, rewards determination and builds friendships that stretch far beyond the trail. Evelyn and Mel had the kind of start they wanted. They moved to the front, settled into their rhythm and never looked back. When the race was over, they had the results to prove it: second and third place in the 8th grade girl’s division. About 300 grade-school students and 400 high school students competed in the Englewood Epic Southern Conference Festival Race held on Sept. 27.

Building Friendships

“It takes a lot of commitment and practice, but it’s also a lot of fun. I’ve made new friends and met riders from other teams. I especially like GRiT—Girls Riding Together. Before each race, all the girls pre-ride the course and take part in activities. We had an ’80s-themed race, so we made shirts to wear. Every team followed the theme, but we looked the coolest because everyone on our team wore matching pink,” she said with a laugh. “We camp at almost every race, which gives me more time to hang out with friends. At NICA events, everyone supports one another, even riders from other teams cheer you on. My favorite parts are the friendships and the feeling after a race, knowing I finished and accomplished something.” Evelyn also likes the post-race Culver's ice cream stop! 

NICA 

The National Interscholastic Cycling Association (NICA) provides the framework for many youth mountain biking programs nationwide. NICA began in California in 2009 as a high school mountain bike racing league. Since then, it has expanded into a national organization that supports regional leagues, coaches, teams, and student-athletes.

While programs differ from state to state, they share many goals. Participants are encouraged to improve their riding skills, challenge themselves and become part of a team. Racing is available, but it is not the only focus. For many families, the appeal is simply getting young people outdoors and giving them a positive activity they can share with friends.

The organization's approach goes beyond preparing students for races. According to the NICA website, NICA promotes mountain biking to help young people develop confidence, leadership, resilience, and relationships.   Teams are intended to be welcoming to riders of different abilities and backgrounds. There are no traditional tryouts where students compete for a limited number of roster spots, and riders are encouraged to challenge themselves at an appropriate level. This can make mountain biking an appealing option for students who haven't found a place in conventional team sports.

NICA Programs

Competitive events are only one part of the youth mountain biking experience. NICA also supports programs that introduce students to trail stewardship. 

Teen Trail Corps gives young riders opportunities to learn trail maintenance, care for public lands, and advocate for greater access to riding areas.  Riders learn that trails require work and that responsible use is important to keeping them available for future generations.

Girls Riding Together, or GRiT, encourages more girls and women to participate in mountain biking. The program includes rides, camps, clinics, events, and social activities. Most Midwest leagues have GRiT or similar programming. 

The Learn to Camp Program helps students and coaches get comfortable camping during cycling events. Learn to Camp kits can include tents, sleeping bags, cooking equipment, and basic tools. Coaches teach how to use the equipment, making it easier for families to take part in overnight events.

Wisconsin

The nonprofit Wisconsin Interscholastic Cycling League (WI-NICA) trains volunteer coaches to use mountain biking as a youth-development tool, serving over 2,000 student-athletes on more than 100 teams statewide while building strong minds, bodies, character, and communities, according to the WI-NICA website. The league teaches bike-handling skills and trail etiquette in a positive, welcoming outdoor environment. Every student-athlete participates at an appropriate level, with no sitting on the bench, which can happen in some team sports.

Because of explosive growth, WI-NICA expanded to two conferences: North and South. Each conference has its own festival weekends during the season before the two groups come together for the Red Barn State Championship held at the Trek Trails near Waterloo, WI, on October 23-25. The change helped make race weekends easier to manage as participation continues to grow. Separating the conferences has reduced course crowding while giving families more manageable travel schedules. 

Minnesota and Michigan

Minnesota and Michigan offer broad, community-based paths into youth mountain biking for riders of varying ages and experience levels. Open to students in grades six through 12, the Minnesota Cycling Association supports more than 2,600 student-athletes with about 1,300 coaches, allowing beginners and experienced racers alike to join local teams for recreation or competition without competing for a starting position. The Michigan Scholastic Cycling Association follows similar youth-development principles through programs for students from kindergarten through 12th grade. Although both programs operate independently of NICA, they work through schools to provide coaching, organized rides, and competition while promoting active lifestyles, healthy competition, outdoor stewardship, and friendships.

Keeping The Sport Accessible

As in many sports, one of the biggest obstacles can be equipment costs. A suitable mountain bike and other gear can add up quickly, especially for a student just beginning the sport. Local teams and leagues may offer different forms of assistance, including loaner bikes, shared equipment, or other arrangements that help families get started. Availability varies by program, so families should contact their local team or league to ask what assistance is offered in their area.

As programs expand, organizers are also finding new ways to make participation accessible to more families. Whether a student dreams of competing at a state championship or wants to ride trails with friends, youth cycling programs create opportunities for both. The result is a sport that combines physical activity, outdoor recreation, and community. For many young riders, the experience may begin with a bicycle and a trail, but the lessons learned along the way can extend well beyond either one.

Inside a Local Youth Mountain Biking Team

Catherine Kuester is a Level 2 GRiT coach and co-team director for Northshore MKE, a composite team serving students from several high schools and four elementary schools. She is also the mother of two young mountain bikers: Evelyn, the eighth grader mentioned above, and Nora, a sixth grader. Kuester reviews training requirements, helps organize practices, and leads some team workouts. The team practices three times a week, combining riding with bike-maintenance lessons and age-appropriate activities such as fixing a flat, bike washing, and even making bracelets. Fox Point Wheel & Sprocket sponsors several of these events for any WI-NICA teams.

Kuester likes to make race weekends interesting and fun.  “We always have a theme for each race.” When interviewed, she was gathering neon clothing and decorations for a 1980s-themed race; the following race would have an Adam Sandler theme.

Kuester’s husband, Jesse, was already a mountain biker when they met, though she preferred road cycling. After having children, the family discovered NICA, and Kuester began mountain biking as well. Their first NICA event was in Cable, Wisconsin. “There was an incredible vibe,” she said. “It was about getting more kids on bikes, and everyone cheered for every rider—even those who were struggling.” The program has also helped build friendships with other girls. 

Nora, a sixth grader, is in her first year of riding, while Evelyn, an eighth grader, is in her third.

Entry to many sports can be expensive. “Mountain biking isn’t cheap, but there are ways to reduce the cost,” Kuester said. 

The goal is to create a positive team atmosphere.  “It seems like the girls are fearless, and the team atmosphere is so positive,” Kuester said. “It supports every kid, even someone who is just starting. We want to encourage kids to ride their bikes, spend time outside, and stay active.”

Kuester asks her kids to commit to the sport for two years, though she expects they will continue longer. Nora is in her first year of mountain biking. During a recent race, another competitor dropped a water bottle, and Nora stopped to retrieve it. Kuester was proud of her daughter’s kindness, although she later advised her not to stop during a race.

“The kids will do 4 races this year, training starting early July, with 3 practices per week. But this isn’t really about racing; it’s about what the sport teaches kids. Our older daughter Evelyn may get nervous before a race, and we remind her, ‘You can do this.’ It takes commitment. Evelyn is a natural athlete, while Nora has to work harder, but both are learning that they can do hard things, stay focused and push through self-doubt. That confidence carries over into other parts of their lives.”

From the tense countdown at the starting line to the encouragement shared along the trail, youth mountain biking is measured by much more than finishing place. For riders like Evelyn and Nora, every practice and race builds confidence, resilience, and friendships—proof that the strongest results often reach far beyond biking.

For more information visit https://wisconsinmtb.org.