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GRiT

Girls Riding Together

  • What Is GRiT?

    Girls Riding Together is NICA’s initiative to increase female participation within NICA. GRiT's mission is to provide fair treatment, equal access, opportunity, advancement and elimination of barriers to encourage participation for all.

    Arkansas’ GRiT initiative is supported at both the league and team levels. 

    League events and activations:

    Spring GRiT Day Clinics 

    Cedar Glades, Hot Springs  April 22nd,  Register HERE

    Women's Mountain Bike Day Events    Bentonville with Women of Oz HERE 

    GRiT mini grants 

    • In Arkansas, of the 832 registered riders in the 2022 season just 228 were female (27%). There were 347 coaches in 2022, 96 of which were female (28%).  NICA GRiT has a national goal to increase the number of girls on bikes by 10% in the next five years. Our 2023 goal is to increase participation in the Arkansas league to 30% for both coaches and student athletes. 

    • To accomplish this goal the Arkansas League wants to encourage teams to provide strong, supportive programming.  Empowering girls to grow in confidence, social skills, and leadership, both on and off the bike is a crucial piece in creating gender parity in our cycling community.  Creating programming and providing scaffolding for girls will amplify their influence on a larger scale in life and encourage others to participate in NICA. For more information regarding strong programming for GRiT on your team please go to the coaches courses in PITZONE to register for GRiT training modules (coming in late spring)

    Apply for a grant here
     
    GRiT Race Weekend Activities
     
    GRiT Pre-ride: one full hour before regular pre-ride at each race.  Coach led and all riders must be registered for the league and have a number plate.  Riders do NOT need to be registered to race toa participate.
     
    GRiT Tent activities: Open to all NICA student athletes.  Swing by Saturdays after pre-ride to share a fun activity.  On deck this year are the ever-popular helmet glittering and new for 2023, race tape costume contest!
     
    GRiT Hype Zone: Teams can apply to adopt the Hype Zone.  At each of the 4 races teams will plan, decorate and activate the GRiT Hype Zone to create the craziest NOISIEST Hype Zone.  Wildest Team Hype Zone wins a special prize at the end of the season. Stay tuned for information on how to adopt a zone for one of the 4 races.