Information for Parents

COWBELLS Cheer on your young racer with a League cowbell.

Welcome new and returning parent to the league parents page – the league would not exist without the support of our parents. The league is committed to making the sport of mountain biking mesh will with school life and easy for families to get involved.

Below are a few popular questions answered, please let us know any other questions you have and we will get back to you.

SOME BASICS

Our February riding camps are designed for new riders. We highly recommend new riders attend these skill oriented camps. It's easier, more fun, and more safe to begin with a camp than a race.

The league season is series of six races, starting in February and ending in May. The series is a point competition for both individuals and teams. Riders must register in the series to compete.

The six races are organized by separate organizations that work closely with the league. Racers must register for each race separately. See our schedule for more information.

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FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Does my kid have to belong to a mountain bike club or team to participate in league events?

No, the sport is relatively new and many schools do not yet have clubs. Individuals are encouraged to attend league camps, and compete at league races. The point competition between individuals is open to all registered league participants. The league has had success in the past helping individuals find local coaches and form clubs at new schools. Let us know if we can help. MF

Do a lot of kids get hurt mountain biking? How does it compare to other high school sports?

There are inherent risks associated with mountain biking, and with cycling in general, both when riding on off-road trails and on the street. NorCal League coaches do their best to proactively manage these risks, but due to the inherent nature of many of these risks it is impossible to eliminate them altogether. Some of risks associated with mountain biking are: minor or major injuries and illnesses that occur while riding, riding on challenging terrain and in traffic, improper nutrition and hydration, mechanical malfunction, collision or interference between riders, riders becoming lost on rides, and the dangers posed by inclement weather.

On the positive side, cycling tends to be good for the body. It is more gentle on joints than most contact sports (football, soccer, basketball) and therefore tends to see fewer injuries to the knees and other joints. However crashes do occur. Most often this results in some minor scrapes and/or bruises. In four years, and hundreds of kids racing, I know of one broken bone (shoulder) and two head injuries that occurred at a League event. Wearing a properly fitted helmet at all times is one of the very best things riders can do to reduce the risk of serious injury. According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (2000) wearing a properly fitted helmet reduces the risk of serious head and brain injury by 80%. The League is taking a very pro-active role in teaching sound riding techniques, training coaches in first aid, and addressing riders who are taking unnecessary risks. MF

How can I get a club started in my kid's school?

It differs from school to school, but with many schools finding a sponsoring teacher is the key to success. Check out our manual for more information. MF

What if my kid wants to road race or do cyclocross? Is there a place for him/her in your league?

In comparison to cyclocross and road racing, it's much easier to be successful and have fun early on with mountain biking. It's also safer because the speeds are slower and we get away from cars. Mountain biking gives riders a very strong foundation of fitness, plus excellent bike handling skills that will pay off in road racing and/or cyclocross. Many mountain bikers go on to being top road racers, including several that have made it on to pro teams and race in the Tour de France.

The league is committed to bringing cycling to our schools and find that mountain biking is the best way to do that. We hope ambitious young road racers will find the league is a fun place to compete and find peers with similar goals (Many league racers also race on the road, and some are find great success with that later on). MF

Are there many girls who participate in mountain biking? Are their races separate from the boys?

There are separate classes for the girls and those are the fastest growing classes in the league. MF

Who are the coaches in your league? What is their training and background?

Nearly all the coaches in the league are experienced racers who love the sport and wanted to stay involved after they stopped racing. Many coaches are also teachers but some are just members of the community that wanted to get involved. The league conducts conferences every year and trains coaches on subjects such as team management, training for youths, first aid, and skills instruction. Coaches are not required to attend, but most coaches do. Most coaches are unpaid volunteers. MF

Do the races really have to start that early?

Probably not always, but many organizers are trying to squeeze a lot of work/events into one day. We are working on later starts for some events, meanwhile we recommend carpooling and sometimes camping is available on site or nearby. We'll try to make camping info available for each event. MF

Why are the races all so far from the Bay Area?

This is mostly a question of land access. Most parks close to the Bay Area have numerous users that would object to the closing of trails for a mountain bike event. MF

Contact with other questions.