Please reach us at ginotorio@msn.com if you cannot find an answer to your question.
Practice begins in June, league races begin in August and run through mid-October. Some of our riders also participate in the Iceman Cometh Challenge, which is the first weekend in November. Dates can be found on the team calendar page.
We can take new kids throughout June and July, we will do our best to get the kids integrated into the team based on their skills. The kids are pretty welcoming to each other, so late additions have not posed an issue. The league races begin in August and run through mid-October, we want to make sure the kids are ready to put the best possible foot forward. Taking kids into August will not allow that.
NO. We do encourage attending as much as possible because they will make friends and become better riders. However we understand that families can have a lot of commitments. We are happy to have the kids participate as much as they are able.
NO. Our team includes kids who do not race for various reasons. However we do encourage race participation because it is a great experience and MiSCA does a great job in hosting events.
It is required for k-5th grade riders. For 6th grade and above it is optional.
Only MiSCA certified coaches are allowed to accompany practice rides. We encourage parents to consider getting certified because it is fun.
Basic coach (level 1) certification training can be completed online and includes; Coaching on The Trail, Concussion Protocol, Code of Conduct and a Background Check. Level 2 & 3 coaches are required to receive additional training in First Aid/CPR and mountain bike skills. Check out https://www.miscabike.org/coaching/ for more details.
Detailed fee schedule on the "Team Members Look Here" page.
Team Fee: $30 (required)
League Fee: $75 (required)
Race Fees: Depend on how many races and if you register early
Jersey: $55-$65 (not mandatory), + any comfortable black shorts
+ Bike and maintenance
+ Travel and accommodations, depending on how many races one enters
For races more than two hours away the team designated a nearby campground. Some families opt for hotels or AirBNB instead of camping. We encourage everyone to join the team dinners at the campground on Saturday evenings of race weekends. They have been a great way to get to know each other.
We try to find a way to remove financial barriers, there are some programs that can help. If your child is interested but finances are a barrier to participation please reach out to Team Manager Gino Torio ginotorio@msn.com
Kids must have a helmet, water bottle or hydration pack, gloves (simple work gloves will do) and a means of carrying a snack. You only get one brain, don't skimp on protecting it. The helmet should meet ANSI standard at a minimum, MIPS (or similar rotational impact system) is recommended. Beware of online sellers, many of these are fraudulently labeled as meeting the standards when they do not. Counterfeit products are also common on eBay and Amazon.
The MiSCA rules require that the bike be designated a "mountain bike" from the manufacturer. Additionally, the bike needs to be in safe operating condition, with hand brakes and working gears. In general, we recommend buying the best bike you can responsibly afford because a well built bike is more enjoyable, durable and serviceable. You will get better quality if you are able to spend a little more. We are fortunate to have a number of good local bike shops, all of which can offer good guidance in this regard.
Many of our coaches are capable of implementing basic trailside repairs. However, coaches cannot be counted on to maintain the bikes. We recommend having a relationship with your local shop in case significant repairs are needed. Learning basic maintenance is also a good idea as it can save a lot of money in the long run.