We hope you are getting to enjoy warmer weather very soon! The season may not have officially started, but things are beginning to get under way in Arkansas NICA. We have a ton of great momentum from 2021 and are looking forward to the preseason starting soon! Coaches will be able to register in the pitzone effective March 1st. The pitzone will open for student athletes on April 1st, 2022. With warm weather on the horizon we are excited to start seeing teams doing “pre-season” activities soon.
Not sure about joining NICA? Did you know that you can attend a practice or preseason event as a coach or athlete and sign a one-day waiver to try it out? So, feel free to invite your friends!
Our league continues to grow each year across the entire state of Arkansas and we are excited to be able to reach new teams and #getmorekidsonbikes. We cannot get more kids without having #morecoachesonbikes. If you are interested in working with youth, and love riding bikes then please visit our Coaching Page to learn more or contact btufford@arkansasmtb.org. We have the best coaches in the business and none of what we do is possible. Last year some of our teams had to cut off registration of student athletes due to lack of coaches. This spring we have a significant number of coach training events leading up to our Leader Summit on June 11-12 in Bentonville. Mark your calendars!
Arkansas-NICA Coach Retreats in March
Feedback from our 2021 Coach Retreats was very positive so we are bringing them back this year. Two Coach Retreats with varied options are scheduled for Bentonville and Little Rock in March. Click on the links below for more info and registration. These Retreats are more geared towards returning Coaches who are wishing to level up and improve their skills. New Coaches are recommended to attend the Leader Summit in June
June 11-12 – Leader Summit, Bentonville AR
June 24-26 – GRiT Camp, Mt Nebo State Park GRiT Camp info here
August 13 – GRiT Race Siloam Springs (All female identifying event)
August 27 – Time Trial Season Prelude Old Post Russellvile
September 10-11 – Race 1, Spring Hill, Barling
September 24-25 – Race 2, Cedar Glades Park Hot Springs
October 15-16 – Race 3, Clysta Willet Park, Mt Home
November 5-6 – Race 4, Centennial Park, Fayetteville
Teen Trail Corps
Congrats to those accepted into our Teen Trail Corps Leadership Program (TTC). This is a pilot program in its first year that we plan to learn from and expand to the entire state. The TTC will teach student athletes to be advocates and community leaders through focusing on Speaking, Serving, Riding and Respect. The selected applicants will be working with Leaders/Mentors from around the cycling community as they learn to develop skills and tools that will help them become future leaders and advocates. We are very excited about this program that is being led by former League Director Kyla Templeton and hope to expand it in the future. For more information on Teen Trail Corp, Click Here.
Teen Trail Corp Serve hours can start to be obtained for the 2022 season. Please look for volunteer opportunities in your communities or visit our website
Loaner Bike Repair Weekend coming soon on April 2nd! Volunteer TTC opportunities
Did you know that AR NICA has 55 loaner bikes? We need to have a workday to clean, inspect, and make repairs in preparation for our 2022 Season. Teen Trail Corp hours will be available for helping……. and fun will be had!!!
What do you need to bring? Be ready to have fun with friends, learn a little about bike repairs and be willing to get a little dirty. Here is the Facebook event link for more info.
Girls Riding Together! GRiT
Join us the weekend of June 24-26 for the first annual NICA GRiT Camp at Mt. Nebo! We will be having a ton of fun on and off the bike and we want YOU to join us! his camp is open for all girls in AR NICA that will be entering the 6th -12th grades for the 2022-2023 school year. Fore more information please visit GRIT CAMP info.
Diversity, Equity and Inclusion
Our NICA Core values include fun, inclusivity, equity, Respect and Community. We want everyone that wishes to ride a mountain bike to be able to participate. Our NICA league offers scholarships, along with a bike loaner program to help lower the barriers of entry for those that need assistance with opportunity and access. More information on how to apply will be shared on those programs as the season gets closer.
The Arkansas NICA League is actively looking for someone to join our Leadership team in the DEI capacity to help our league connect us to more communities. We want our league to grow and emulate the communities we live and reach any underserved community that wants an opportunity to ride mountain bikes. For more information, please reach out to terry@arkansasmtb.org.
Vist our website for info arkansasmtb.org for more information or contact us directly
