Singletrack Times

August 2021 Arkansas NICA Newsletter

Hello Arkansas NICA!!!

We are less than 3 weeks away from our first race, and our team couldn’t be more excited! It’s been so long since we’ve all been together. Our practices are in full swing and we have over 740 Student Athletes participating in NICA across the entire state. Our fall is full of events – and our website it the hub for where to get the information you need to know what’s going on with those events. Check out the Race Flyers and the Newsletter Archive for the most important information. Last minute information will be sent out via social media – both Instagram and Facebook @arkansasmtb

We know that COVID is still a concern, and we expect to put on 5 safe race events this fall. As a league at our race venues, we will do everything we can to maintain social distance, and we wear masks when we cannot. Student Athletes will wear masks in staging, but we plan on having mass starts at all the September and October events this fall. Also, please make sure you are reporting any symptoms or exposures to your head coach.

We can’t wait to see you!

Terry, Kyla, and the Arkansas NICA Team

GRIT Race Party – Sign Up in the Pit Zone by TONIGHT!

Our 1st Annual GRiT Race Party is set for Saturday, August 21. We are super pumped to have almost 100 girls coming in from all parts of Arkansas and Oklahoma to be a part of this awesome day! The race will be beginner friendly, to help new racers feel comfortable with race starts but will also be a fun and challenging race for our advanced racers. We will be hosting a Learn To Race Clinic and a Girls in NICA panel from our GRiT Ambassadors. But the GRiT Race Party is much more than just racing – the rest of the day will be spent playing non bike related water games and having a ton of fun! Snow Cone trucks, prizes, swag and surprises are in store for the day!

Girls are responsible for their own lunch so please bring snacks, water and lunch for yourself. We will also be getting wet so bring a swimsuit or clothes you don’t mind getting wet in (as well as a towel and dry clothes so you don’t get your mom’s car all wet going home :)).

Welcome Meeting is at 8:00 AM at Spring Hill Park Pavilion. Look for the GRiT Tent! Racing starts at 9:00 AM. The day wraps up at 3:00 PM. Camping is available at Spring Hill Park if you want to make the early morning a bit easier! We will be there setting things up Friday night so feel free to come out and join us!

Volunteers are still neededso parents and coaches that are coming with the girls, please email Haley at haley@arkansasmtb.org if you can help with the race as well as set up and tear down.

All the information you need is on the Race Flyer.

Race Series Coming Up!

Race Flyer Links

All the information for our upcoming races can be found on our website at arkansasmtb.org. If you have any questions regarding a race or event you can contact us or email terry@arkansasmtb.org

Races are governed by the NICA Handbook

With our race season comingup quickly, it is each student athlete’s responsibility to know the rule book. You can learn more by clicking NICA Handbook.

We thought we would like to highlight a few important rules.

Helmets 2.1.A Student-athletes must wear approved helmets at all times, with the exception that helmet rules are not applicable to riders warming up on bikes that are securely mounted to stationary trainers. Under no other circumstances may a student-athlete be on a bicycle without a properly worn and securely fastened helmet, even when riding a very short distance. Helmets must also be worn when walking or running on the course with a bike due to a mechanical problem

Controlled Riding 2.2.A Student-athletes must practice safe riding techniques and be in control of their bicycles at all times. Riding out of control or with excessive speed is not tolerated. Having a reckless attitude or taking dangerous risks is not tolerated. A dangerous risk is defined as willingly attempting anything that is beyond one’s ability tocontrol the bike or puts someone else in danger.

2.2.B All racers must walk their bikes in crowded areas such as the pit zone, spectator areas, or any other area designated as a “walk area.” Student-athletes who demonstrate reckless behavior or create a risk of harm to other students or spectators will be penalized.

Volunteers are needed to make our races run smoothly and on time.

Without our volunteers and coaches none of the “magic” that you see happen on a race weekend would be possible. To make it easier to find volunteers on race weekends we have identified teams that will be the “home team” for each race weekend. The home teams will be responsible for providing the volunteers for that particular race weekend. The number of volunteers required will vary from team to team based on their size. You can review the races to see which weekend your team is the “home” team and then click HERE to sign up or use the sign up link directly from the race flyer on the website by clicking the “volunteer” button on the race flyer.