Frequently Asked Questions

The team is open to students in grades 5-12. We welcome riders of all skill levels, from complete beginners to experienced racers.

Our first practice is Tuesday, August 4th at Ketchum Park (meet by the skate park), and the season runs through Regionals on November 7th. Practices are held Tuesdays and Thursdays from 6:30 to 8:00 PM. As the season goes on and the sun sets earlier, we'll shift practices slightly earlier as needed for daylight. Riders are encouraged to attend both practices each week when possible, but it's okay if schedule conflicts like soccer occasionally prevent attendance.

Yes. We've had riders join after the season was underway and it worked out great. That said, the earlier the better — our first three weeks are Shred School, where we build the fundamentals together, and that's the smoothest way to get up to speed. If you're interested, reach out and we'll figure out the best way to get you started.

Absolutely! Prospective riders are welcome to come out to a practice and see what it's like before committing. Reach out and we'll let you know where and when to meet us.

Shred School is how we kick off the season — our first three weeks of practice, held at Ketchum Park (meet by the skate park). We work through the fundamental skills every mountain biker uses. Absolute beginners are welcome and will learn the basics from scratch, and experienced riders get to sharpen technique they'll use all season. Everybody starts on solid footing before we branch out to other trails.

We require a functioning mountain bike. That means knobby tires, working hand brakes (not coaster brakes), and gears. It doesn't have to be fancy or new, but it does need to be safe and reliable. If you need help finding an affordable bike, reach out and we'll point you in the right direction.

That's perfectly fine! We welcome beginners and will teach you everything you need to know. Our coaches provide instruction on bike handling, trail etiquette, and safety.

No. While most team members participate in NICA races, racing is optional. Some riders join just for the practice sessions and community.

The season fee is $325, which includes team registration, NICA membership, and all four races. We don't want cost to be a barrier — if that's a concern, please reach out and we'll work with you to find a way to make it happen.

Registration is by invitation, and there's no fixed window — you can start anytime. Reach out through our contact form with parent and rider names and an email. We'll connect with you, and once everything's set we'll send you an official registration invite to complete signup and NICA membership.

At minimum, you need a working mountain bike and a properly fitting helmet.

A hardtail or full-suspension mountain bike works well. The bike should fit properly and have knobby tires, working hand brakes (not coaster brakes), and gears. Our coaches can help assess if a bike is appropriate.

A bike and a helmet will get you to your first practice — everything else is about comfort and confidence as you ride more. NICA publishes a Rider & Family Gear Guide covering bikes, helmets, shoes and pedals, clothing and accessories, and hydration and nutrition, with tips from NICA experts and partners on what to look for. It's a great place to start, and our coaches are always happy to weigh in on gear questions too.

Safety is our top priority. All riders must wear helmets. Coaches are trained in first aid, and we maintain proper coach-to-rider ratios. We also teach trail safety and proper riding techniques.

We rotate between a few local trails — Ketchum Park and The Dump in Marshall, and Grever's Nature Center in Battle Creek. The specific location for each practice is shared with riders ahead of time. See the Ride With Us page for full addresses.

Practices include warm-ups, skill development exercises, group rides, and cool-downs. Coaches work with riders based on their skill level to ensure everyone progresses safely.

We compete in the Indiana NICA League, with races held at various locations throughout Indiana. While we're based in Marshall, Michigan, and hold all practices locally, we're part of the Indiana league as Michigan doesn't yet have its own NICA league. Race weekends typically include travel to Indiana on Saturday for pre-riding and a team dinner, followed by racing on Sunday. For the full race schedule and venue details, visit the Indiana NICA race series page.

NICA races are weekend events at trails throughout Indiana. Riders compete in categories based on grade and experience level. Races emphasize participation and improvement over winning. Learn more about the format, venues, and dates on the Indiana NICA race series page.

Regionals is held November 7th in Fayetteville, Arkansas, and it's open to everyone — no qualifying required. It's a huge event with hundreds of riders, plus an expo where kids can check out gear and meet representatives from colleges. High schoolers can race at Regionals; middle schoolers are welcome to attend and experience it all, though they won't race until high school. It's a really cool opportunity to be part of something big.

Parents are not required to attend practices. However, parents are required to attend races, as volunteers are typically needed for races. We encourage family involvement and have opportunities for parents to help the team.

Start by contacting us through our website. We'll invite you to an informational meeting and provide registration details. You can also attend a practice session to see if the team is a good fit.

Absolutely! We encourage prospective riders to attend a practice session before registering. Contact us to arrange a visit.