NRVYCA Mountain Bike Team

---

1. Sign up for NRVYCA team news and updates; see above or details or follow this link: https://nrvyca.substack.com/about
2. Attend an information session for prospective athletes and families. Dates for information meetings proceeding the start of the season will be posted on the news and updates site. Sign up to receive newly posted information and/or look through the archives for information that has already been posted, https://nrvyca.substack.com/ 

All that is needed to join the team is to fill out the season registration form, once it is release, and to pay the team participation fee. Included in the registration form will be a liability waiver that must be signed. Information about registering for the upcoming season (including opening and closing dates for registration) and links to the registration form will be posted on the News and Updates site: https://nrvyca.substack.com/.

While not mandatory, we do strongly encourage all interested families to attend an information session for prospective athletes and families. Dates for information meetings proceeding the start of the season will be posted on the news and updates site. Sign up to receive newly posted information and/or look through the archives for information that has already been posted, https://nrvyca.substack.com/ 

You will need a working mountain bike, a helmet, and a willingness to work hard and encourage your teammates. We also recommend that athletes bringing a water bottle or hydration pack and a spare inner tube and/or tire plugs. 

Practice is held on the Poverty Creek and Brush Mountain trail systems with practice meetups at the Upper Lot. During the fall and spring seasons, practices are usually held from 5:30-7:30 p.m. on Tuesdays and from 3:30-5:30 p.m. on Sundays. Practice days, times, and locations are subject to change from season to season. 

No! You do not need to race as part of NICA or VAHS to be part of the team. We are happy to have many non-racer riders on the team.

However, consider that racing can be extremely fun and rewarding regardless of an athlete's current fitness or skill level. The NICA and VAHS race leagues are supportive and encouraging environments, and they serve as excellent entry points to bike racing. Additionally, non-racing riders and parents should be aware that racing is a central part of the team's DNA. As such, much of the fall and spring schedule will revolve around the NICA and VAHS race calendars. 

Yes and No. We do not allow parents to join athletes for practice unless they are a certified coach. The one exception to this is that we do allow parents who are curious about becoming a coach to participate in a team practice on a trial basis. Joining on a trial basis is allowed for only one practice. After that, parents must complete the Level 1 coach training with NICA to continue to  participate as a coach. Information on coach education and certification requirements can be found here: https://nationalmtb.org/coach-education-requirements. The NRVYCA MTB team includes coaches with Level 1, 2, and 3 certification. Please contact nrvyca@gmail.com if you are interested in learning more about becoming a coach. 

Adults (those no longer in high school) who are interested in coaching should reach out to nrvyca@gmail.com to express interest. You will be invited to join the team on a one-time trial basis to get a feel for what being a coach on the team is like. If interest remains, then you will be set up with a coach account through the NICA PitZone. Once you have completed your level 1 training, you can re-join the team as a coach. Those wishing to grow in their coaching education and skill are encouraged to pursue level 2 and 3 certification, but you can remain with the team as a level 1 indefinitely (some components of the certification must be renewed annually). Additional information on coach education and certification requirements can be found here: https://nationalmtb.org/coach-education-requirements. The NRVYCA MTB team includes coaches with Level 1, 2, and 3 certification.