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Meet Beth Ross

Beth is this month’s MEET THE COACH feature, and one of NICA’s 2023 Coach of the Year recipients! Beth is not only a coach with over 35 years of mountain biking experience, she leads one of the largest NICA teams in the country. Learn about Beth’s experience, advice, and favorite NICA moment from her tenure as the coach of Wisconsin’s Madison West team!
Our MEET THE COACH features include interviews from outstanding coaches from our NICA community. Know someone who should be highlighted? Share with us!

Name: Beth Ross
Pronouns: She/her
League: Wisconsin
Team: West Madison MTB 
Roles: Head coach, Level 3 coach, Wisconsin Coach Supporter
Number of years as a coach: 7 years 
Number of years riding: 47 years riding bikes, and 35 years on a mountain bike!

 

Why did you become a NICA coach?

I love riding and I love riding with other people. When I heard about the NICA team here in Madison, WI, I knew straight away that I wanted to be involved. We have 2 daughters who we started riding with when they were 6 or 7 so having them join the team (and my husband and I coach) seemed like a perfect fit for our family. I keep coaching because I love the culture of our team, the fun, the camaraderie and the joy I get from watching our riders gain confidence when they master skills, have a blast riding with their friends, making new friends and being part of the mountain bike community. The best part about coaching with NICA is the community!

What’s your favorite NICA game?

Rock, paper, scissors tournament – everyone wins!

What’s your favorite NICA moment?

So many! I love greeting riders at the finish line of a race, especially if it’s their first race and seeing how good they feel about finishing their first race. We like to then anoint them with the title of official “Mountain Bike Racers.” I also love when they are surprised at how fun racing is! I love seeing when a rider is struggling with something, but then digs deep down inside themselves to find the strength to keep pushing. It’s so inspiring.

What’s your best coaching pro-tip?

My first job as a coach and as head coach is to learn everyone’s name. I welcome each rider (student-athlete and coach) to practice as they arrive. Knowing someone’s name is the start of forming a connection and those connections are the foundation of making a difference in a person’s life.

 

What’s one piece of advice that you have for NICA student-athletes?

It’s OK to make mistakes and to not succeed at something the first time or even the second or third time. Strength comes from continuing to push through the hard parts, sometimes just by continuing to show up with the mindset that “I can do this!”

Anything else you’d like to share?

I lean on the saying “progress not perfection” often throughout the season! This adage was introduced to me by one of my most influential mentors and I use it when things do not go as planned. It helps take the pressure off trying to be perfect and allows us to just celebrate progress!

I lean on the saying “progress not perfection” often throughout the season. This adage was introduced to me by one of my most influential mentors and I use it when things do not go as planned! It helps take the pressure off trying to be perfect and allows us to just celebrate progress!
BETH ROSS

Thanks to Beth for sharing her story as our MEET THE COACH feature, and congratulations on her SRAM Coach of the Year award!

If you’re a Wisconsin coach and you see Beth around, be sure to say “hi” and connect.
Throughout the year, we’ll interview an outstanding coach from our NICA community. Know someone who should be highlighted? Share with us!
Special thanks to CHARGEL, a NICA partner.

NICA partners help kids gain access to a thriving and engaged cycling community.

Special thanks to CHARGEL, a NICA partner.

NICA partners help kids gain access to a thriving and engaged cycling community.