Our team includes middle and high school students who live within the Madison West High School boundary, and we aim to create a positive environment for young riders to discover the lifelong joy of being able to ride a bike safely and well on trails. Some athletes set goals that are performance- or skill-related, while others focus on making new friends and having fun out on the trails.

We practice at a variety of awesome mountain bike trails on the South and West sides of Madison, including Quarry Ridge, Seminole Trails, Blackhawk, Pleasant View, and Quarry Park. Many athletes bike in groups with their coaches to/from practice, using local bike paths. All trails are maintained by our friends at CORP (and we encourage athletes to join trail maintenance days with CORP). We are a member of the Wisconsin Cycling League, which is part of the National Interscholastic Cycling Association (NICA). All rides are led by coaches who are background-checked, trained, and certified by NICA and have wilderness first aid or higher training. Meet our head coaches and team managers.

Why Ride With Us?

We have fun! Riding bikes is great; riding bikes on trails through the woods is even better; and riding through the woods with people who cheer you on, help you develop confidence and skills, and try new things is the best.

We welcome riders of all abilities and skill levels. We especially welcome those who have never ridden trails before. We believe that everyone should have the opportunity to participate. We do our best to remove barriers to participation by offering bikeable practice locations, scholarships, and bike loans if needed.

Mountain biking provides a great alternative team environment and an opportunity to build skills and confidence in a unique way. We ride in small groups of riders of similar skills led by a group of coaches. Riders learn basic through advanced skills including braking, shifting, body position, cornering, ascending, descending, and obstacles. Riders will also learn good bike path and trail etiquette, pre-race nutrition, and race strategies.

We aim to create fun and welcoming experiences, whether riders choose to race, attend fun “adventure rides”, help build trails, or simply participate in practices. We welcome all levels of involvement. Parents and other adult volunteers ride, too! Contact us for more details.

About NICA

NICA Mission and Vision

We build strong minds, bodies, character, and communities through cycling. We believe that every youth should have the opportunity to be part of a thriving and engaging cycling community.

NICA Values

  • Fun: NICA inspires friendship, joy, and adventure.
  • Inclusivity: NICA believes everyone should be able to participate in our programs and feel welcomed, respected and supported.
  • Equity: NICA is committed to fair treatment, equal access, opportunity, advancement and elimination of barriers to encourage participation for all.
  • Respect: NICA expects consideration for all others, oneself, and the outdoors.
  • Community: NICA unites diverse people, families and communities through cycling by creating fun and welcoming experiences.

Girls Riding Together (GRiT)

The Girls Riding Together (GRiT) initiative is an effort by the National Interscholastic Cycling Association (NICA) to recruit and retain more girls and female coaches in NICA programs.

We welcome and encourage female and female-identifying riders (student athletes and potential coaches) to check us out, whether you are a complete novice or an experienced rider! We welcome riders of all abilities and do everything we can to create a team and practice environment that is supportive of our female riders.

We Welcome LGBTQIA+, BIPOC, and Neurodiverse Riders

We value diversity, equity, and inclusion on our team, and we welcome LGBTQIA+, BIPOC, and neurodiverse student athletes and coaches! We strive to create a welcoming, supportive culture of respect and positivity. We hope you’ll join us.

Land Acknowledgement

We acknowledge that we are privileged to ride on trails built on the ancestral homelands of the Ho-Chunk Nation. We are grateful for this opportunity and committed to maintaining the quality of the trails and preserving the beauty of the land.