Youth Mountain Biking Programs Grow Across Wisconsin, Minnesota and Michigan

Twenty-six eighth girls grade-school racers 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. There is only speed 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 Culvers ice cream stop! 

NICA 

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

While the programs differ from state to state, they share many of the same 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 is broader than simply preparing students for races. NICA promotes mountain biking as a way to help young people develop confidence, leadership, resilience and relationships, according to the NICA website.   Teams are intended to be welcoming to riders of different abilities and backgrounds. There are no traditional tryouts in which students compete for a limited number of roster spots, and riders are encouraged to challenge themselves at a level that is appropriate for them. That can make mountain biking an appealing option for students who have not 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. Most Midwest leagues encourage  girls to participate and women to coach or learn coaching skills.

Teen Trail Corps, gives young riders opportunities to learn about maintaining trails, caring for public lands and advocating 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 is an initiative aimed at encouraging 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. 

Learn to Camp Program is designed to help students and parents become comfortable with camping during cycling events. Learn to Camp kits can include items such as 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) trained volunteer coaches 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 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, no sitting on the bench which can happen in some team sports.

 Due to the 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 crowding on courses while also 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 serves more than 2,600 student-athletes with support from approximately 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, it works 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 the cost of equipment. A suitable mountain bike and other gear can add up quickly, particularly when a student is 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 simply 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 cordinator and co-team director for Northshore MKE, a composite team serving students from several high schools and four middle schools. She is also the mother of two young mountain bikers: Evelyn, the eighth grader mentioned above, and Norah, a sixth grader. Kuester confirms registration for both athletes and coaches, participates in team rides, coordinates the team GRiT meetings  

 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 the local 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. The family discovered NICA after having children, 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.” 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 rider, even someone who is just starting out. We want to encourage kids to ride their bikes, spend time outside and stay active.” One of the NICA slogans is #MoreKidsOnBikes

 Kuester asks her kids to make a two-year commitment to the sport, although she expects they will continue longer. Norah is in her first year of mtn biking. During a recent race, another competitor dropped a water bottle, and Norah 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 took to the sport naturally and Norah seems to be doing the same.  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 Norah, 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.