Frequently Asked questions
Are there any restrictions on which school kids need to attend?
No. We are open to all middle school and high school aged student, covering North Austin, Cedar Park, Round Rock, Georgetown and Liberty Hill areas.
When is the mountain biking season in Austin?
The NICA season starts practices in December and the racing season runs from late January through late April. The Texas League events page can be found here: Races (texasmtb.org)
Our team will officially begin practices on December 1st but we will be holding a small number of pre-season meetup events before then. Whether you're a new or returning athlete, we strongly encourage you to attend these one or more of these events to meet the coaching staff and ask questions!
Can I still join if I'm not interested in racing?
Yes! While the season is built around a schedule of race events, our goal is to provide a safe, challenging and enjoyable way for kids to ride bikes on dirt with others their same age.
Some more information on the NICA Texas mission and values can be found here: About (texasmtb.org)
What time commitments are involved in being a member?
While we strongly encourage student athletes to participate in at least one practice weekly in order to develop the skills and fitness that will make biking more fun, it's not enforced. You may attend as many races and practices as you can.
We will schedule practice rides on both weeknights and weekends from December through the end April. These times and places will be finalized as the season gets closer to starting and will keep team members informed through the team "Slack" pages.
The team mainly practice at Walnut Creek Metro Park in Austin and Brushy Creek Park in Cedar Park. We will sometimes hold rides at other locations in and around the Austin area during the season?
What steps and costs are necessary to join?
While we strive to keep costs low, there are certain expenses involved in running the team and the wider National Organization.
The costs involved for student athletes are:
- Join the National Interscholastic Cycling Association: In 2021 this is $40 annually
- Join the Texas NICA League: In 2021 this is also $40 annually
- Join North Austin Mountain Biking team: Fees TBD: We expect in the range of $100-$150 for the season which will include a team jersey
- Each race has an entry fee of $25 for middle school students and $45 for High School students
Are student athletes covered by insurance?
Yes, please see details here: http://www.nationalmtb.org/wp-content/uploads/NICAInsuranceOverview.pdf
What equipment is needed?
You will need a mountain bike in good condition to ride with our team. The wheel size must be 26", 27.5" or 29". If you are new to the sport and would like help in selecting the right mountain bike, please email us or come to one of our pre-season meet-ups and we will assist you in the process!
You will need a properly fitted mountain bike helmet made in the last three years that is free from defects and cracks. Coaches will inspect your helmet to ensure it is safe for you to use. You will need a tire tool, spare tube and CO2 or pump. We strongly recommend eye protection (i.e. sunglasses or clear-glasses when we ride in the dark) and long-fingered gloves. Mountain-bike specific night riding lights (white light on the helmet, red light facing towards the rear) - this is optional, but highly recommended because night riding is super fun!
We recommend The Peddler Bike Shop . Tell them you are a student-athlete on our team they will help you with everything you need.
What is a THawk ?
A Tarantula Hawk is a type of wasp that is found locally around Austin and preys on Tarantulas. We love the image but I'm happy to say none of our riders have ever been stung by one!
Any other questions?
Reach out to david.k.johnson@gmx.com or timothy.neal.lawerence@gmail.com