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Programs & Initiatives
As a NICA league, our goal is to make sure all kids find their place in the mountain bike community and as lifelong athletes. Our programs ensure that everyone is included, no matter what your goals are. Whether you’re a beginner or expert rider, whether you love to race, or prefer to find your own adventure on the trails, you have a place to thrive in GoSo NICA.
GRiT (Girls Riding Together)
GRIT – Girls Riding Together – is NICA’s focused effort to bring more girls and women into the cycling community to close the opportunity gap for current and future generations. The GRiT initiative is the first nationwide program of its kind, creating an inclusive and welcoming atmosphere for women and girls, who are underrepresented in the sport. Girls who participate in sports like mountain biking report increased self-confidence and improved mental health. By intentionally inviting and welcoming girls and women into mountain biking as athletes, coaches through GRiT, we’re building a movement and getting #MoreGirlsOnBikes.
Racing
NICA started in 2009 with a race series for high school athletes in California. NICA leagues across the country host hundreds of race events each year, creating a place for healthy and supportive competition where athletes grow and challenge themselves physically and mentally. NICA mountain bike races are some of the best sporting events you’ll ever attend: fun, raucous, and full of positive energy and inspiring efforts. Races are inclusive of all athletes: there’s no bench, and everyone can participate.
Teen Trail Corps
NICA teams foster personal responsibility and advocacy for the use of trails and wild spaces where we ride our bikes. NICA’s national Teen Trail Corps program provides athletes the opportunity to get involved in trail maintenance efforts and to use their voices to advocate for increased trail access. As users of shared trails, our goal is for GoSo teams to showcase their commitment as stewards of our trails!
Adventure
Adventure is in everything we do on our teams, from practice experiences to trail riding to racing. Adventure is the physical, social, and emotional development of riders that’s made possible by intentional experiences on bikes. Adventure includes team building and creating a culture that promotes individual growth by providing all youth space to opt into challenges. It’s reflection-driven, and creates a pathway for youth to carry the lessons learned on two wheels into all aspects of their life. NICA coaching is guided by this philosophy. Our goal? Help kids find the right experience, at the right time to help them realize their goals and build character.