News

Did you know that Trek Bicycle Corporation has its own trails, right next door to its headquarters in Waterloo, Wisconsin, for employees to ride? Yep, and they’re SPECTACULAR. Every year, Trek generously invites NICA student athletes from around Wisconsin to celebrate the conclusion of the mountain bike season with a final race–the state champtionship. It’s always an awesome weekend, and this year was made even more fun with cool events Saturday night like a dance party, and a hidden juice bar with a DJ on the race course Sunday morning. Thanks so much to Trek!

We’re having a great season so far, with so many fun practices, adventure rides at Camrock and Kettle Moraine, and races in Cable, Englewood Farms, Minooka Park, and Nordic Mountain. Check out some of our great photos!

Join us for a Women’s Clinic June 11!

This female coach recruitment clinic is aimed at moms who might want to start riding with their kids and/or women who might be interested in helping coach. It’s targeted at inexperienced adult riders–we’ll teach basic skills and introduce participants to GRiT and the role of female coaches in getting more girls on bikes.

Join the East Madison Mountain Bike Team for their GRiT Try It Out event on June 7. Register here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/girls-riding-together-grit-mtb-try-it-out-tickets-334683014907

Our team was featured on Channel 3000 on May 17! Check out this page for three segments featuring interviews with coaches and athletes + some fun footage of us riding at Quarry Park!

NICA’s GRiT initiative aims to recruit and retain more female-identifying riders and coaches in co-ed NICA programs.  Please invite any female-identifying friends who are interested in trying out a mountain bike to join us at Blackhawk for some instruction, games, beginner rides, and prizes!

We asked and the City of Madison responded. The City of Madison Parks Division is considering the construction of a one-mile single track trail around the perimeter of Walnut Grove Park, near Memorial HS, with construction beginning late 2022 or 2023. For more info, see the Project Webpage. Our team requested more trails in Madison, so let’s show up for the meetings!  Please save the date and attend this May 5  New Trail Virtual Public Meeting to comment and show your support. 

Blackhawk is looking for youth mountain bike instructor volunteers for their weeknight summer and fall sessions. Previous instructor experience isn’t required; training is included. Email Kelley Linnan for more information and to volunteer. 

Sunday, June 6 was our second annual Try-it-Out Event for our GRiT/NICA program. It was an AMAZING day! We had over 50 girls participating. We ran 2 sessions that included learning basic skills, riding Roller Coaster and Twist and Shout, and a fun raffle. Thank you to Blackhawk for all their support and for opening their trails to us! Shout out to Erik’s, Machinery Row, Budget, West Madison MTB Team, and Coach Mindy for providing raffle prizes! And shout out to Dreambikes and Matt Martinez for bringing his fleet of rental bikes for us to loan out to girls who needed a bike! HUGE power clap to Coach Kristin for her awesome organizational skills, her outreach, and most of all her energy for making this event happen! Thank you, Kristin!! Tons of coach help made this day successful: Thanks to Coach Stella, Coach Nikki, Coach Nancy, Coach Michelle, Coach Melissa, Coach Grace, Coach Brooke, Coach Mindy, Coach BJ, Coach Heidi, and Coach Patty. Thanks also to our inspiring riders who make all the difference: Opal, Sarah, Maddie W, Maddie S, Emily, Lily, Anja, and Tess.  YOU GIRLS ROCK!! Here’s a link to the coverage from Channel 3 News: ‘GRiT’ event gives Dane County girls a chance to learn mountain biking skills.

You may be ready to ride, but is your bike?  NICA coaches and Dreambikes staff will be at the Quarry Ridge Shelter to do quick bike checks and small repairs.  Sign up here for a time slot to get your athlete’s bike looked over before the season begins.  Suggested donation per bike is $5-10.  All proceeds will go to Dreambikes.  New riders to the team are highly encouraged to get their bikes checked either at this event or at a local bike shop prior to practice starting.