Generations of Trail Stewards: Building Community, One Trail at a Time
WI NICA athletes join forces with CORP Trails to restore Blue Mound’s iconic trails—gaining skills, confidence, and a new sense of stewardship along the way.
From the Racecourse to Retail: NICA Student Athletes Launch RideLens Sunglasses
Motivated by their love of cycling and the outdoors, Texas NICA student-athletes Jack and Daniel launched RideLens, a sunglasses company that provides high-quality, stylish eyewear at an affordable price.
2024 Holiday Gift Guide
Deciding exactly what to give your coaches, student-athletes, family, and friends around the holidays can be tricky! That’s why we’ve worked with our trusted partners to collect a list of gift recommendations to please even the pickiest pedalers. We’ve even got some extra deep discounts so you can throw something in the cart for yourself, too.
The NICA Effect: How 2.9 Miles of Trail Transformed a Community
A butterfly flaps its wings across the globe. A pebble splashes into the center of a pond…or, a NICA coach sees an opportunity to improve their community, and in doing so inspires countless volunteers, advocates, and leaders to invest in the power of mountain biking.
Moms Just Wanna Have Fun(damentals)
One of a parent’s proudest NICA moments is cheering for their child when they pass by on the trail, cross the finish line, or master a new skill. Often, they’re supporting from the sidelines, but in Tennessee, NICA is doing more than inviting parents to watch their students succeed— we’re bringing them along with us on the trail!
Finley Scott + IICL mental health campaign: How NICA student-athletes are changing the narrative surrounding mental health
Youth sports and physical wellness are clearly connected. But what about mental health? The topic of mental wellness in youth sports is often overlooked, and when it does come up, it can be tough to talk about. Idaho Interscholastic Cycling League student-athlete Finley Scott spent her senior year in 2023 trying to change that narrative…and what started as Finley’s incredible passion project has now evolved into a full-blown, athlete-led initiative that raises awareness and tackles mental health stigma head-on.
A Community That Cares: Broden’s Story
7th grader Broden Ala has always loved mountain biking. He waited years to be old enough to participate in NICA events, training hard in preparation for his moment to line up in the start chute. All that practice paid off: last year, during his first season, he crossed the finish line as the Arizona state champion.
School of Singletrack: The Rise of On-Campus Trails in Charlottesville
Eight NICA teams dot the region. An unprecedented four have accessible, well-maintained, on-campus trails. Two of these are public high schools without tuition dollars to support the infrastructure necessary for building mountain bike trails. So how did Charlottesville become the gold standard for school-based trail systems?
Riding Beyond Limits: Cash Taylor’s Journey Racing A Hand-Cycle
Cash Taylor’s journey into the world of mountain biking began with an unforgettable invitation to an Idaho Interscholastic Cycling League race, thanks to the Challenged Athletes Foundation (CAF) and Valley Adaptive Sports. Born with Spina Bifida, Cash’s life revolves around sports, each one embraced with a unique zest despite the challenges posed by his paralysis.
Kimberly’s Story
Phinneus McKenna has been a shining light of positivity on the North Tahoe Mountain Bike Team. Despite his limitations, he has found friendship, fun, and connection through the sport of mountain biking.