From turning pedals to turning pages: How NICA inspired Aria Koberg to write a cycling-themed children’s book
From first ride to author and founder, Aria Koberg’s NICA journey shows how mountain biking builds confidence, community, and opportunity.
Unlocking the art of sports photography for NICA athletes: A collaboration with Fujifilm
As a visual creative, I am a people watcher at heart. I am always looking around for the “moment” that defines the time and space that I am in. When I turn away from the bikes, I frequently see student-athletes running around with cameras to capture their friends out on course. I frequently am giving some tips and guidance on how to use the various DSLRs that they have and what to look for when shooting.
Frame the Ride: see NICA’s 2025 Regional event through athletes’ eyes
At the heart of NICA is a commitment to support not just athletes, but well-rounded individuals. At NICA’s latest Eastern Regional event, the organization partnered with FujiFilm to offer a unique opportunity for student-athletes to explore their passion for photography and visual storytelling.
Exponential Impact: A Delaware Team Story
A thriving cycling community requires three things; a community of peers and friends, organized programming to provide opportunities for riding, and equipment that keeps up with progression. Bringing together all three is often easier said than done, but in NICA’s Delaware League, League Director Charles Barillo has cracked the code.
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.
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.
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?
Seasons of GRiT! A Conversation with Coordinators Across Leagues
When GRiT (Girls Riding Together) was launched in 2018, its purpose was to invite more girls and women to the cycling community. Five years later, over 8,000 female student-athletes and coaches are riding dirt with NICA teams, reflecting a 4% increase in the percentage of female riders across the organization. The heroes responsible for leading this growth are the league GRiT Coordinators. These women organize league-level GRiT programming, while also training and empowering team-level GRiT coaches to recruit more girls and women to their teams. Last year, GRiT Coordinators collectively hosted over 110 events to get more girls involved in cycling!