NorCal League Junior Development Program

6th-8th grade mountain bike riding and racing

Mission: The NorCal Interscholastic Cycling League’s Junior Development Program is structured to introduce young people to the fun and inclusive sport of interscholastic mountain biking. NorCal League coaches offer 6th-8th graders opportunities to be active outdoors as they develop their cycling skills in a supportive environment, which empowers them to be successful lifelong mountain bikers! NorCal produces junior development clinics, camps, and races to give youth the chance to build strong body, mind, character, and community with a whole lot of stoke along the way.

Please contact admin@norcalmtb.org for more information about our Junior Development Program.

Team Composition Options:

NorCal Junior Development teams can either be integrated into an existing (or new) high school team or can be stand-alone, independent teams.

Independent Junior Devo team:

This type of team has its own Team Director and Head Coach and is single school-based.

Example: Petaluma Junior High MTB Team

High School Junior Devo team:

This type of team is integrated into a high school team but has dedicated coaches who work with middle schoolers only.

Example: Piner High School Mtb Team, Junior Devo team

Junior Devo Composite team:

This type of team is composed of student-athletes from multiple schools in one county. Composite teams must get annual approval for their geographic scope.

Want to sign up for our 2023 middle school races, but not yet on a team? 

For 2023, middle school mountain bikers can race as independent riders. Before signing up for our races, you will need to register your rider through the NICA Pit Zone website. Please email terry@norcalmtb.org and he can invite you to register your rider.
Please note that independent riders generally are covered under NICA insurance, while racing or riding with a NICA team which is following all NICA rules and guidelines. Independent riders are not covered by NICA insurance outside of those two scenarios.

Middle school outline of race days

8th grade race

$
  • Girls category
  • Boys category

7th grade race

$
  • Girls category
  • Boys category

6th grade race

$
  • Girls category
  • Boys category

Middle school ride category

$
  • 6th-8th grade
  • Boys and girls mixed category
  • No timing/same course

Categories and Timing:

Race Category:

After Race #1, student-athletes MAY be moved into A and B categories. This will have to be based on what our registration numbers are like in 2023.

A category (intermediate/advance): Student-athletes who have experience riding and racing bikes, and have the appropriate fitness and skills.

B category (beginner): Student-athletes who are beginners who do not have experience with racing bikes, prior to joining the NorCal Interscholastic Cycling League.

 

Ride Category:

(All abilities): Student-athletes in 6th, 7th, or 8th grade who want to experience riding a NorCal race course, but are not interested in competing for places.

  • Medals will be given to the top five finishers in 6-8 grades, in the Race Category.
  • No overall medals will be given to individuals
  • No team scoring or team trophies
  • No medals for ride category 

Resources, specific to junior development