It’s a small action with far-reaching impact— that’s the NICA Effect. It’s that magical thing that happens when one kid or parent gets on a bike for the first time, and suddenly their entire lives and community are changed forever. The bike is just the beginning.
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.
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.
NICA teams are spread across the country, forming even in urban areas not well known for their access to trails. Urban teams face different challenges than those with ready access to trail systems, but the students who live there deserve the same opportunity to get outside and experience the joys of cycling. For Coach Marc and Coach Carolyn, launching the UrbanPromise Wilmington Trailblazers team was a way to welcome inner-city students into the outdoors, teach them valuable life skills, and provide a safe space for learning and development.
“I’ll be the best sweep you’ve ever had.” Two years ago, that was Ambra Baldwin Hart’s motto. She’d just signed up as a Level 1 coach for the Mount Horeb Mountain Biking team to support her 6th grade son who’d joined. She didn’t have much confidence as a coach or a rider, but was encouraged to try anyway by the team’s female coaches.
When Gabby Huffman’s parents started the San Domenico Mountain Bike Team, she knew she wanted to spend her high school years racing with the NorCal NICA league. And, after being named the Team Captain her senior year and graduating, she knew she wasn’t ready to leave NICA behind.
To help raise awareness and celebrate the many ways that people with ADHD are thriving, we’re sharing the story of Tessa, a young entrepreneur who credits mountain biking with helping her manage her ADHD and achieve her goals.
Nikki Peterson, Nevada North League Director, co-led a GRiT Ride with NorCal Coaches and NICA Alum Kate Courtney. It was a day dedicated to inspiring girls, making connections, and just having fun! Check out her story below.
With May bringing a focus on mental health awareness, we want to feature one of our coaches who recognizes and teaches the interdependence of physical and mental health. This coach’s message of “shred for your head” is a powerful one that emphasizes the importance of mental health in the context of sports and physical activity. By promoting balance in training, the coach is setting student-athletes up for success, both on and off the bike.
On Tuesday nights, somewhere beyond the flashing neon signs of Las Vegas, you can find the bright lights of the Wheel d’Beast Mountain Bike Team weaving through the trails of the Southern Nevada desert.