1. Bike Rodeo 🤠

The Driftless team in WI hosts an annual team “bike rodeo” to open the season. Their version of the bike rodeo includes several stations that student-athletes and parents visit, and get a stamp or sticker for each one. The stations covered many topics, including….

• A station about the code of conduct (make it a game, scavenger hunt, or sorting exercise)
• A bike-check zone where a local shop went over athlete bikes to make sure they were season-ready
• Basic get-to-know you style games
• Helmet fitting, inspection, and education
• A station for parents/caregivers to get more information about gear
• A volunteer info station to share opportunities for families to help out with team tasks

2. Try-It/Bring a friend event

If you search Try It in coach resources, a detailed, customizable plan can be found to host a Try-It event for your team, or even your region. Encouraging returning student-athletes to bring a friend is a fun way to recruit new student-athletes, and maybe even coaches!

3. Maintenance clinic  🛠️

Bike maintenance is an important topic any time during the season, but it is perfect for a preseason event. Invite student-athletes to a space where you can teach them some important basics, like patching tubes or using “bacon strips” to plug a hole in a tire, how to fix a broken chain, how to adjust the cockpit and/or bike seat for ultimate comfort, and so much more. This is a great event to partner with your local bike shop!

4. Trailwork/picnic

The Morgantown Trailhawks in West Virginia have started off their season with a fun get-together that involves some trail work at one of their high use practice spots, and ends with a potluck. The coaches ask for bikes to be left at home, but that doesn’t stop the fun. Student-athletes get to learn about trail stewardship, reconnect with friends, take ownership over spaces that provide them with a great time on their bikes, and end it all with a delicious dinner.

5. GRiT specific event

There are many options for holding a GRiT specific event. Do a quick search of “grit” in coach resources, and you’ll find plans for clinics, try-it events, and more! Consider holding a GRiT preseason event to welcome new and returning girls and female coaches.

6. Coach only practice

Hosting a practice for coaches only is a great opportunity to manage risk by acquainting your coaches with trails you’ll ride at practice. It’s also an excellent event to help get your coaches stoked for the season and comfortable with the flow of your practice design.

7. Parents on bikes  🚴

Host an event for parents only, so they have the chance to feel comfortable on the bike before committing to being a coach. This is a great way to ease in new or reluctant parents, and show them that not all great coaches are great riders. Many great coaches learn to ride alongside the team, and helping them feel prepared ahead of time is a huge step to activating more volunteers. Don’t forget to have all adults complete a one-time waiver to participate in team events!

This content was authored by NICA’s coach education team. NICA’s comprehensive coach education program provides new and existing coaches with the high-quality training and resources they need to be confident, competent, and empowered leaders on their youth mountain bike teams. NICA coaches not only create amazing experiences for student-athletes, they create a foundation for building healthy mountain bike communities. NICA coaches change lives! 

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