Interviews with NICA Student-Athletes and pieces written by student-athletes
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.
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.
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.
For the North Carolina Interscholastic Cycling League, trail stewardship is more than just a service activity. It is a core part of what it means to be a mountain biker. Through the Teen Trail Corps program, student-athletes across the state are discovering that taking care of trails is meaningful, empowering, and fun.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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?