Inaugural SMMHS Mountain Bike Team
Beginning August 2022, SMMHS will have a club mountain bike team. This team is open to all motivated and hard-working SMMHS students (Grades 6 -12). SMMHS already has a strong cohort of mountain bikers, boasting multiple state championships, regional victories, and strong finishes in multiple events at the 2021 USA Cycling National Championships in Winter Park, CO.
The team will race in the Tennessee NICA (National Interscholastic Cycling Association) league this fall. NICA is a national nonprofit league that promotes youth mountain biking. We are officially registered and insured through NICA.
Many of the athletes will be active in other sports. We view this team as a chance for athletes to cross-train and gain endurance. We will work with the riders and their varsity coaches to do what is best for their performance.
Beginning August 1st, practices will be held from 6-8 pm weekdays, depending on the best available nights for the riders.
Races are held on Sunday. There are a total of 5 races, including a state championship. Athletes will compete against riders of their own grade, or they can compete in a varsity or junior varsity division (9th grade and older).
Race dates:
8/28/2022, Columbia, TN
9/11/2022, Oakfield, TN
9/25/2022, Morristown, TN
10/9/2022, Gallatin, TN
10/23/2022, Chattanooga, TN (STATE CHAMPIONSHIP).
Racers must be mentally and physically committed. Everyone will not win; everyone needs to be mentally prepared to practice hard and compete hard in every race.
Racers accumulate points for individual and team championships. A minimum of three races is required for team membership.
For the inaugural year, there are no fees to join the team; however, all racers much purchase a team uniform (aka, kit ~$150)
Racers must pay their own race fee (~25.00 per race) and secure their own transportation.
Racers often travel to the race venue the night before, but it is not mandatory.
We must maintain a minimum 1 Coach: 6 racers.
Priority will be given to racers with parent involvement.
Parental needs:
Coaches
Background check and NICA training is mandatory
Secretary
Treasurer
Social Media
Soft goods
Mechanic
Minimal equipment requirements:
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Mountain bike with 26” wheels, 27.5” or 29” wheels are ideal with disk brakes/front suspension.
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Appropriate helmets are required
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Bikes must be mechanically sound for practice and races.
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Riders must carry spare tube, pump, and multi-tool for each practice
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Owen Cycle and Trek support NICA