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Indiana League Race Staff and NICA National Staff at an Indiana League Event this Fall.
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Dear Team NICA –
Thanks to you – we did it! This fall season we were able to come together as a nationwide community of student-athletes, coaches, parents and volunteers and continue our mission to get #morekidsonbikes and build strong minds, bodies, character and communities through cycling. Our seasons may have looked different, but most importantly we have continued to be able to get out and ride safely.
As a community, we have much to be thankful for this season. We are thankful for all the ways that our mountain bike programs enrich our community. We are thankful for our 25,000 student-athletes who bring enthusiasm, positivity and energy to our mountain biking programs. We are thankful for our over 13,000 coaches who dedicate countless hours to ensure their student-athletes can safely participate in mountain biking activities. We are thankful for our 31 leagues across the country who are constantly adapting and creating new and innovative ways to continue to bring mountain biking activities safely to their communities.
November is a month for gratitude and I know that I am grateful for our NICA community, its strength and resiliency. I am grateful that I was able to still safely connect with many of you at various events across the country this fall. I encourage you to take some time this week to not only get out and ride, but also to take a moment and reflect on all that you are thankful for this year.
I wish you, your families and friends a happy fall and look forward with all of you to a wonderful new year!
With Gratitude,
Steve
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What’s New Across America
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Thank You and Congratulations to our Fall Leagues on a great 2020 season!
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Indiana League student-athletes celebrate at an event. Photo: Margaret Barawskas
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Fall League Essay Contests a Big Hit
This fall the Maryland and Wisconsin Leagues hosted essay contests to engage their student-athletes. Student-athletes were asked to describe how mountain biking has impacted their lives during the pandemic. We’d like to feature Oliver Slade from the Maryland League and Kylie Krayer from the Wisconsin League on their winning essays! You can find Oliver’s essay HERE and Kylie’s essay HERE. Thank you and CONGRATULATIONS to all the student-athletes who participated! Your stories are inspiring!
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Oliver Slade racing in 2019 in the Maryland League
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Kylie Kramer from the Wisconsin League
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Tune in to NICA’s next Campfire Chat!
Join NICA on December 8th for another fun Campfire Chat! This month we’ll have industry experts from Trek Bikes, Podiumwear, Western Spirit and more to discuss careers in the mountain biking industry! Register today HERE.
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Fall League Survey
FALL LEAGUES!!!! We would LOVE to get your thoughts looking back on your recent NICA season so we can work to continually improve your NICA experience. Please consider giving us a few minutes of your time to complete our End of Season Survey HERE. PLUS – if you provide your contact information at the end of the survey – you’ll be entered to win one of 10 RoadID gift cards!
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Shred Girls Book Series
Looking for a great gift idea for your younger riders? Shred Girls, by Molly Hurford, is an empowering new book series that is guaranteed to give readers an adrenaline rush. Make sure to check out Book 1: Lindsay’s Joyride and Book 2: Ali’s Rock Ride.
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About the Author
Molly Hurford is an author, coach, cyclist, runner, as well as a sports and nutrition writer. She runs the online publication The Outdoor Edit and, with her partner, hosts a podcast called The Consummate Athlete. Learn more about Molly HERE. She is a big fan of the outdoors and loves to share her passions with younger riders. Recently, Molly appeared as a guest speaker on a NICA New York GRiT Ambassador Zoom Meeting to talk about all things relating to cycling and nutrition. Huge shout out to Molly for supporting and mentoring our NICA GRiT riders!
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Share the Ride and Change Lives with NICA this holiday season! Join us for our annual end of the year campaign, as we celebrate all that makes NICA awesome and brings joy to our community. Make a tax-deductible donation today to NICA or your favorite local league HERE.
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The West Virginia League Staff held their raffle drawing via Facebook Live at Cacapon Resort State Park. Photo: West Virginia League
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Trek Raffle a Success!
Thank you Trek for providing stoke to our leagues and teams around the country! Seven NICA leagues recently raised more than $140,000, split between leagues and teams, through their raffles of bikes and other equipment generously donated by Trek. Kathy Mock, Wisconsin Co-League Director shared, “With all of the challenges 2020 has brought us, we are really proud of bringing in around $40,000 that was split between the league and our teams.” Cassie Smith, West Virginia League Director said, “Our league is so grateful to Trek and their generous donation of the Fuel EX! The raffle was a great success, and the proceeds will be a huge contribution to our 2021 season. Thank you, Trek!”
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Molly-Mae Sims Races with the Utah League this Fall.
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Not Just for the Boys!
As NICA works towards closing the gender gap in cycling, Utah League student-athlete, Molly-Mae Sims, shares her perspective on how she and her teammates are making their mark and helping show that mountain biking is a girls sport too! Read Molly’s full account HERE.
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Montana student-athletes riding. Photo: Holly Alastra
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Go By Bike with Trek!
Whether you’re heading into off-season or gearing up for spring-season, it’s ALWAYS a great time to #GoByBike – When you #GoByBike you gain the freedom to roam, to explore, to be human. Our friends at Trek Bikes want to encourage you to take more of your trips by bike – not just for you, but for the health of our world. Join them and choose your bike for one or more trips each week and tag a photo of your ride with #GoByBike for the health of our people and our planet!
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Worldwide Cyclery wants to get #morekidsonbike!
This Friday, November 27 to Monday November 30, Worldwide Cyclery is on a mission to raise over $10,000 for NICA and to bring awareness to the cycling community about NICA. To start, they will be discounting gift cards 10% and donating $5 from every gift card sold to NICA! They are also going to increase prices on every product (except gift cards) by $5 and donating $5 from every product sold to NICA.
Learn more HERE.
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SRAMnation Holiday Discount!
Looking for some new cycling gear or comfy fun casual wear SRAMnation is here to help! Now through 12/31/20 get 30% off SRAM family gear with the code: NICAHOLIDAY. Happy Holidays to the NICA Community from SRAM!
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Stay Safe and Stylish with Podiumwear’s Mask 5-Packs
Looking for the perfect mask to show your style, match your outfit or match your kit this winter? Look no further than our good friends at Podiumwear – each month they release a new 5-pack of designs of their ultra-comfortable, soft, breathable masks. Made with pride in Minnesota, masks are available in one-layer or two-layer versions as well as multiple sizes and ship in 24-hours. Click HERE to order yours today!
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NICA exists by virtue of our generous sponsors, boosters, foundation partners and individual donors.
We are extremely grateful for your continued support of our mission to build strong minds, bodies, character and communities through cycling. Consider supporting NICA or your favorite league today and help us impact the future of cycling!
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