National Interscholastic Cycling Association (NICA)

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Founded in 2009, NICA develops interscholastic mountain biking programs for 
student-athletes across the United States. 

 

Everything riders and parents need to know about how the league is structured, how scoring is done, what the guidelines are for team rides, and many other important topics can be found on the NICA website. 

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NICA Rules for students

 

These rules exist solely to help keep our right to ride as a team. You as an individual rider can hop on a bike and ride anytime and anywhere you choose, but that's not the same as riding with a team. You ride with a team so that you can regularly ride with a group of friends, improve your skills, learn from more experienced riders, ride new trails and routes, help less experienced riders get stronger, and enjoy the thrill and excitement of racing.

 

The coaches, ride leaders, and parents give you this privilege on the condition that you make a personal commitment to follow the rules below: 
 

1. Always wear a helmet
   Student-athletes must wear approved helmets at all times, with the exception that helmet rules are not applicable to riders warming up on bikes that are securely mounted to stationary trainers. Under no other circumstances may a student-athlete be on a bicycle without a properly worn and securely fastened helmet, even when riding a very short distance. Helmets must also be worn when walking or running on the course with a bike due to a mechanical problem. Riders at league races caught without helmets, except on trainers, will be docked 25 points and/or disqualified from a race. More information can be found in the NICA handbook. 

2. Stay on MTB appropriate trails; avoid illegal trails
   We ride the trails that are legal, no exceptions. Placer County is blessed with open space, fire roads, single track, and hiking trails in an abundance that most other places can only dream of… we are allowed access to the trails we ride only because of the hard work that others have already put into bike trail advocacy. If you want more single track trails to ride, work with the coaches and parents to get involved with a trails advocacy group. Riding illegal trails puts ALL local mountain biking at risk. Riders caught riding illegal trails will immediately lose team riding privileges. 

3. Ride safely and stay with your ride group when on team rides
   Student-athletes must practice safe riding techniques and be in control of their bicycles at all times. Riding out of control, riding with excessive speed, having a reckless attitude, or taking dangerous risks is not tolerated. A dangerous risk is defined as willingly attempting anything that is beyond one’s ability to control the bike or puts someone else in danger. All racers must walk their bikes in crowded areas such as the pit zone, spectator areas, or any other area designated as a “walk area.” Student-athletes who demonstrate reckless behavior or create a risk of harm to other students or spectators will be penalized. 
   Mountain biking can be a dangerous sport, and riders are exposed to situations and elements that are difficult to control. The best way to mitigate danger is to ride within your limits and stay with your ride group. In a group setting, assistance is readily available from ride leaders and teammates for first aid, mechanical breakdowns, and needing food and water. Some rides take us hours away from home, in the wilderness, and safety demands that we ride within our skills and as a group. Riders that purposefully leave their ride group without checking in with adult Ride Leaders or Coaches during the ride will lose their privilege to ride and race with the team. Leaving a ride early to make it to another activity/event is allowed as long as an adult Ride Leader or Coach is notified BEFORE you leave the group (preferably before the ride begins). 
   Riders who regularly ride beyond their skills and/or encourage others to do the same will lose the privilege to ride with the team.

4. Avoid trick riding on team rides
   Jumping off ramps, extended wheelies while riding in a crowd, curling berms and other free-ride dangerous maneuvers during team-sponsored rides is not acceptable. Riders demonstrating unsafe behaviors will lose the privilege to ride with the team.

5. Treat each other with respect on and off the bike
   We are a team and need to always demonstrate support between all riders regardless of skill level or gender. Negative comments about team members will not be tolerated. 

6. Show trail courtesy!
   When riding on Public Lands please keep the following in mind: 

   • Always yield right of way to other users 

   • Stop for horses and ask the rider how to proceed 

   • Respect other trail user groups (and teams) 

   • Control your speed 

   • Do not litter 

   • Smile and/or say hello to other riders, hikers, and trail users! 

7. Communicate with your parents, ride leaders, and coaches
   Communicate with your parents, ride leaders, and coaches when you are not feeling well physically or mentally. Let them know how they can help you, when you need it! 

8. Read your TEAMSNAP MTB email and texts
   TeamSnap Emails, Chat, and/or Alerts are the most effective way for us to reach all of you with up to date information concerning everything from events to race day logistics. Last-minute changes in schedules and team activities can occur, so please stay informed. 

9. Participate in team fundraisers
   Our team is fully self-supporting and it takes everyone participating to make it successful. We value participation in team fundraisers: tell your friends and family members how they can get involved also!  

10. Participate in trail maintenance at least once during the season
    The trails we ride only exist because of the efforts of people that built, sustained, and advocated for them. Roseville High School MTB respects the history of this sport and expects every rider to participate in at least one trail maintenance volunteer activity during the school year. Visit Teen Trail Corps for opportunites to get involved.

11. Volunteer for local groups and events
    Roseville High School MTB is an important part of the local community, and our voice and numbers carry weight in the communities where we live. Whether going to meetings on Placer County open-space usage, or getting information out to the team on which local politicians support the team’s trail access agenda, each rider and family member can have lasting impact. 

12. Familiarize yourself with the NICA rulebook
    The NICA rulebook contains a great deal of information, and reading it helps parents and riders understand the team rules above, how the races are run and scored, and a host of other rules and regulations that are helping high-school mountain biking grow into a mainstream sport.  NICA handbook