YOUTH MOUNTAIN BIKING
Adventure and Racing

EVERYBODY RIDES
NO ONE SITS ON THE BENCH
NO EXPERIENCE NEEDED
BUILDING STRONG MINDS, STRONG BODIES, AND STRONG CHARACTER THROUGH CYCLING
GIRLS AND BOYS, 5-12TH GRADE
NORTH-EASTERN BERGEN COUNTY

Contact Cyclones

Team Kickoff Party and Information Session

When:
Tuesday, November 19th, 2024. 6:30 PM until 9 PM

Where:
Giovanni's Bicycle Club
487 Sylvan Ave, Englewood Cliffs, NJ 07632

Who:
All returning Student-Athletes and any new or potential Student-Athletes

FAQs

Is the team a part of a league?
Yes, we are a part of the New Jersey Interscholastic Cycling League (NJICL). The NJICL is part of the National Interscholastic Cycling League (NICA)
When is the Cyclones season?
The season is officially December - June but we will start practices as early as November 1st.
My child rides their bike around town but has never mountain biked before. Is this something they can learn?
Yes! Our coaches work with every level of rider from first-time mountain bikers to advanced-level riders.
When are practices usually held?
Practice times vary based on coach availability but usually are held on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Sundays. We usually hold practices at 5 PM but due to low light and colder temps in the fall and winter months, we move the practices to the gym indoors for fitness training once per week. We will schedule weekend practices up to 3 times monthly based on coach availability and weather permitting. They usually last 1.5 hours.
What type of training do the coaches receive?
All NICA coaches are trained in safety and risk management. Your child’s safety is their number 1 priority. The minimum coach requirements include:
- CDC Heads Up Concussion Training (Required Annually)
- NICA Philosophy, Safety, and Risk Management (Required Annually)
- Athlete Abuse Awareness Training
- License Level 1 Coach Course
My child doesn’t have a bike or needs a better mountain bike. Can you help?
Yes, BICYCLE WORKSHOP is our primary sponsor and has many options at many price points. NICA discounts are available for participating student-athletes and coaches.
My child does not want to race, can they still participate?
Absolutely. The team focuses on fitness and adventure first while providing the necessary skills to anyone who wants to compete in NJICL races. Going to races is highly encouraged since it brings together hundreds of kids with similar interests while enjoying a fun atmosphere at the race venue.
For more team details, click see below.

Contact cyclones

More team details:

Parent Involvement

Parent involvement is critical to the success of our team.
Variety of roles including Parent Coaches, Team Director, Food Coordination

Costs

NJ NICA Dues $300
Cyclones Team Dues $150
Equipment and Attire

Equipment Needed:

Proper fitting Mountain Bike
Helmet
Team Jersey
Bike Shorts
Bike Gloves
Water Bottle or Hydration Pack

Financial Assistance Available?

NJ NICA league offers need-based dues scholarships and loaner bikes for student-athletes

Schedule

Races - Five Races held from April - June (typically every other Sunday excluding holidays)
Training / Practices - Beginning in December and running through the NICA season. 1-2 team practices per week based on parent coach availability and weather/trail conditions. Winter training will be supplemented with indoor gym training sessions

Type of Trails

We train on a variety of trails tailored to the mix of student-athletes participating
Races are held on cross country (XC) mountain bike trails primarily comprised of single-track with some wider areas to facilitate safe passing

Length of Races

Race length is specific to each Grade Level - beginning at 3 miles for younger student-athletes and increasing up to 15 miles for our most advanced High School athletes