Spring is Here!

Our primary emphasis as a league in the spring is preparing for coach training. We have seven coach supporters in the league and they have completed two Instructor Certification Program (ICP) courses this spring to give them additional qualifications to teach skills to coaches at Leader’s Summit and support our coaches all year.

Our seven Coach Supporters:
Bob Black Ocken (Little Rock Composite)
Anya Bruhin (Pea Ridge)
Ellen Brune (Bentonville HS)
Stuart Brune (Bentonville HS)
Cory Johnson (Little Rock Composite)
Kelsey Miller (NICA Girls)
Kim Seay (Haas Hall Academy)

The race production team is hard at work preparing and planning for the 2018 season. Special circumstances (a brand new trail!) prevent us from announcing the exciting new location of the last race and it will be worth the wait!

Tentative 2018 Schedule:
April 13-15 Coach Training / Leader’s Summit
April 28 Spring Team Adventure
April – June – NICA Pre-season
July 1 – NICA Practices Start
September 9 – Race 1, Siloam Springs
September 23 – Race 2, Bentonville
October 14 – Race 3, Hot Springs
November 4 – Race 4, State Championship, TBA
November 11 – Rain out race date

Can’t wait to see you in April!
Your Arkansas NICA Team

Leader’s Summit Information

Arkansas NICA 2018 Leader’s Summit

When: April 13-15
Where: Camp War Eagle, Rogers, AR
Cost: $60, which includes all meals, overnight stay Friday and Saturday, and NICA On-the-Bike Skills Field Guide

The Arkansas Leaders’ Summit provides new and experienced coaches the opportunity to learn about the Arkansas League structure and processes. How to start a mountain bike team and run student mountain biking practices. How to work with their schools, issues related to liability and the unique intricacies of working with high school and middle school cyclists. The primary goal for the Leaders’ Summit is to teach and license adults as competent NICA coaches. The summit is an ideal opportunity for coaches and team organizers to share thoughts and opinions and get charged up for the 2018 season!

If you can’t come for both days register and come for one day.

More information available here!

Spring Team Adventure April 28

Arkansas NICA’s Spring Team Adventure day will be filled with fun, learning, and good times with your friends! Though the competitive aspect of NICA is important we know there is more to experience when it comes to being on a student mountain bike team. Our main goal for this event is to have fun and hang out with your team!

Below are a few things you can expect at the Spring Team Adventure day:
* Group rides
* Workshops
* Scavenger hunt
* Frisbee golf
* Team building exercises
* And more surprises

We want every NICA student-athlete, coach and parent to understand that no matter what your skill level is you you are all welcome and accepted. So join us for this awesome day and let’s start the 2018 season together!

Student-Athletes need to register in the Pit Zone for the Spring Team Adventure – but check with your coach first to make sure your team plans to attend.

Where: Camp War Eagle
When: April 28, 2018, 9 am – 7 pm
Cost: Free, lunch and dinner provided

Deadline to register is April 22!

NICA Girls Rides

Most Saturdays this spring and early summer we are having NICA Girls rides!

Come join us for a NICA Girls Ride for student-athletes 12-18 years old and their moms and sisters 12 years old or older! Bring a bicycle, helmet, close-toed shoes, and water. Moms and sisters over 11 are welcome!

4/7 – Devil’s Den Festival
4/14 – No Ride, Coaches at Leaders Summit
4/21 – Lake Atalanta
4/28 – Camp War Eagle Adventure Day
5/5 – Mount Kessler
5/12 – Old Post, Russellville
5/19 – Blowing Springs
5/26 – Mount Sequoyah
6/9 – Eureka Springs
6/16 – Slaughter Pen, NICA National Conference

For information on where to meet and weather cancellations, check:
facebook.com/arkansasmtb/events
Instagram – arnicagirls
Kelsey 479.685.8084
kelsey@arkansasmtb.org

***
Pit Zone Opens April 1!

Use your login and password from last year, or wait for an invitation from your coach!

The Pit Zone is opening this year with registration only for the Spring Team Adventure (which is free). Races 1-4 ($25 each) will be added to the Pit Zone as soon as the registration for Spring Team Adventure closes on April 22.