Gear up for the latest NICA podcast episode! We're diving deep into event recaps, exciting previews of upcoming races (Season Showdown & Whitewater Windup), key end-of-season dates, and a glimpse into what's in store for 2024.

Tune in for the details on:

* **Event Recaps:** Danville Dash, Mayhem at Mayodan, TTC workdays, and the 5 String Stampede cancellation.
* **Season Showdown Preview:** Get the lowdown on the theme, course inspection, Strider Bike Rodeo, fundraising updates, Senior Night format changes, new features, and important dates.
* **Whitewater Windup Preview:** Discover the theme, dates, activities, and awards for this exciting event.
* **Upcoming:** Stay informed about the end-of-season survey, crucial dates, coach training, pre-season events, and NICA Eastern Regionals.

Don't miss this episode packed with the latest NICA news and updates!

#NICA #mountainbiking #youthcycling #SeasonShowdown #WhitewaterWindup #podcast

Introduction (Shawn) - almost halfway through the season of adventure!

Topic: Event Reviews (Brian and Shawn)

-Salisbury Scramble

-TTC work

-reversed start/finish

-live results

-event recap on YouTube

-Danville Dash - brand new

-Adventure course

-race course - positive reviews

-KOM/QOM segment

-event recap coming

Topic: Mayhem at Mayodan Preview (Brian and Shawn)

-Theme: Out of This World

-Saturday

-Trail work opportunity: (3) sessions PZ registration required

-course inspection - group riding reminder

-Staff Pie Smash - fundraiser reminder (ends 28 May)

-Sunday

-course preview is available on YouTube channel

-warm up “area” - in the field

-Dates: 12 April (category petitions), 14 April registration deadline, 17 Apr Town Hall

Topic: Rules (Shawn and Brian)

-Handbook reminder: we all agree to abide by the rules when we sign up and in essence serve as a NICA ambassador - wherever we are

-Two recent issues: course crossing and ear buds. This is all safety based - situational awareness.

-Swiss Cheese model of human error

-we need your help: dogs

Topic: 5 String Stampede (Fletcher) 4-5 May Preview (Brian and Shawn)

-Theme: Wild West

-Context and background story: western venue - yay! Western venue - challenges!

-Course preview released this weekend

-Senior night and celebration

Topic: Upcoming (Shawn and Brian)

1. Season Showdown (Mayodan) 18-19 May
   1. Qualifying: top 30 in each category OR top 20 placement in at least 2 races
   2. Still working schedule and guidance for non-racers
2. Whitewater Windup (Whitewater Center) 1-2 June
   1. Venue survey this Saturday 13 April to finalize plan
   2. Basic format: riding/games on Saturday (orienteering), some activity Sunday morning, season awards and fundraiser prizes early afternoon to let folks get on the road

Closing (All)

Dad joke

Introduction (Shawn)

Topic: Crankin at the Creek Review (Brian and Shawn)

-Theme: Beach Bash

-Saturday

-Adventure Course

-TTC tent (rock crawler)

-pre-ride new race course (thanks Cape Fear SORBA)

-Sunday

-Adventure course stayed open (warm up lap)

-live results

-Podium socks (thanks to Ridge Supply)

Topic: Spring Giveaway campaign teaser (Brian)

-Campaign launch date: Friday, March 1st

Hybrid: online and paper tickets, multiple prizes from league sponsors

Campaign end date: midnight Tuesday, May 28th

Giveaway date: Sunday, June 2nd

Topic: Salisbury Scramble Preview (Brian and Shawn)

-Theme: Adventure is Out There

-Context: venue is tight (parking, infield, race course crossings)

-Saturday

-Trail work opportunity: (2) sessions 1:15pm and 3:45 pm. PZ registration required

-Rock crawler: passport activity 22 (2 hours work) and 25 (pick up trash)

-course inspection - stick to groups (1 lap and multi lap)

-Tire clinics - passport opportunity! Skinny Wheels bike shop and Black Ox (prize pack in the spring fundraiser) for tubeless set up clinic

-Movie Night (Up) - 7-9pm PZ registration required. Special VIP section for the team that earns the most fundraising by midnight on 10 March

-Sunday

-schedule changes published by Wed

-course preview is available on YouTube channel

-course crossing guidance

-pick up your trash!

Topic: Date Reminders (Shawn and Brian)

Highlights

1. Salisbury Scramble
   1. Category petitions: 8 Mar
   2. Event registration: 10 Mar
   3. Town Hall: 13 Mar
2. Trail Week coming! 18-24 March. Contact Leonard for info

Closing (All)

Dad joke

Introduction (Shawn)

Topic: Season Overview (Brian, Shawn and Chelle)

-Event names and themes

-First Event: Crankin at the Creek

-Theme: Beach Bash

-New race course - video preview

-Podium socks - Ridge Supply

-Live results

-Adventure Ride

-Adventure and TTC at every venue: passport activity and TTC tent

-Salisbury Scramble: TTC

-Danville Dash: Adventure Ride

-Mayhem at Mayodan: TTC

-5 String Stampede: Meet and Ride with the Trail Builder (Senior Night)

-Camping and Volunteer registrations go to Home Teams first, then the league

Topic: Team and Wave Management (Shawn and Brian)

-Composite team sub scoring

-Seeding

-Earned Lap Cutoff time

Topic: Spring Giveaway campaign teaser (Chelle)

-Campaign launch date: Friday, March 1st

Paper ticket distribution: Browns Creek event weekend

Campaign end date: midnight Tuesday, May 28th

Giveaway date: Sunday, June 2nd

Topic: Date Reminders (Shawn and Brian)

Highlights

1. Crankin at the Creek
   1. Category petitions: 23 Feb
   2. Trail Work Day: 24 Feb (contact Dave Droke)
   3. Event registration: 25 Feb - last day for season discount package
   4. Registering for the entire weekend! Wristbands
   5. Caution: no refunds
2. Trail Week coming! 18-24 March. Contact Leonard for info

Closing (All)

Dad joke

Introduction (Shawn)

Topic: Chapter League (Brian and Shawn)

-1 Jan 2024 became a Chapter league under NICA

-3 points: 1. Sign of maturity and increased strategic direction (board) 2. A NC non-profit entity 3. Still a member of NICA

Topic: 2024 Awards (Brian)

-Posted on website

-competition: 5 regular season races. [Podium socks - Ridge Supply!] Championship criteria: top 30 in each category and (2) top 20 finishes

-TTC: sticker (3 hrs), t-shirt (5 hrs), gloves (10 hrs - Cognitive!); Trail Week (sticker and pizza party)

-Adventure: passport completion (custom water bottle - Right Gear); mention passport distribution after 23 Jan

Topic: Faces of the League (Shawn)

-Introduce new feature on our YouTube channel

-come join: we’re looking for an announcer

Topic: Sponsor Announcement (Brian)

-Industry Nine - returning sponsor

-mention coach discount

Topic: Event Reminders (Shawn and Brian)

Athletes: 771 (344 HS, 427 MS)(281 new) - as of 13 Jan

Highlights

1. Season registration ends 21 Jan (late registration through 23 Feb $250)
   1. Refunds through 21 Jan (minus admin fee)
   2. Category petitions - if you want name on the plate
   3. Coaches - start prioritizing your SAs by category
2. Events registration is open (minus championship)
   1. A la carte ($35 each) and discount package ($140 = 4 of 6) options; discount package will close when registration for our first event closes 25 Feb
   2. Introducing theme for the weekend
   3. Registering for the entire weekend
   4. Caution: no refunds
3. GRiT Mentor applications close 22 Jan as well as GRiT hoodie ordering
4. Trail Week coming! 18-24 March. Contact Leonard for info
5. Working to get volunteer sign ups and camping registration out to home teams end of the month

Closing (All)

Dad joke

A special podcast on location at the Brown's Creek Adventure Event held on Dec. 2nd, 2023.

Special Guest: Dave Droke, Onslow County Composite team coach and Teen Trail Corps Committee member.

Overview of the preseason Adventure Events.

Important upcoming dates.

Dad jokes.

*Special note - The video edition of this podcast includes footage from the Adventure Event at Brown's Creek and captures the true spirit of these events, so check out the full version on our YouTube channel!

Introduction (Shawn)

Topic: GRiT Preseason Event Review (Brian)

28 Oct: Warrior Creek

4 Nov: Medoc Mountain

Talking points (more detail included in the event reports):

• TTC Clinic
• Ambassador projects (leadership)
• Mentor Program

Topic: New Team Shout out (Shawn)

1. Asheville School (OTBS101 clinic 4 Nov)
2. Cabarrus County: Hope Academy and Concord High
3. Durham County: Riverside High
4. Wake County: Broughton Magnet

Topic: Season 8 Event Registration (Brian)

Athletes: 453 (340 HS, 113 MS)(129 new)

Highlights

1. Events registration opens 13 November (minus championship)
2. A la carte ($35 each) and discount package ($140 = 4 of 6) options
3. Caution: no refunds

Topic: Sponsor Announcement (Brian)

Fidlock is a returning sponsor

Support to our Adventure program: Adventure passport (logo with QR code on cover), they’ll be joining us at the Whitewater Center on 18 Nov)

Topic: Pre-season Date Reminders (Brian and Shawn)

1. Regional Event 10-12 Nov in FairHill MD
   1. Racing registration closed but general admission remains open

20 NC athletes registered (16 race, 4 non-race)

1. Adventure - open to returning student athletes. (mention form in coaches conversation about new athletes) Must attend with their team. Clarify does not count as a pre-season event and teams may attend both. Each event is capped at 200 participants.

- 18 November at Whitewater Center in Charlotte, NC

- 2 December at Browns Creek, Elizabethtown

Closing (All)

Dad joke

Introduction (Shawn)

Topic: League Summit Review (Brian and Shawn)

Give a review of the lessons and some feedback received from coaches

Sat: 2023 review, TTC, Friday Fails, EAP

Sun: 2024 preview, Adventure, Dynamic Agility, Team Culture

Clinics: OTBS101 refresh, 201, course evaluation

Give thanks to WWC for being a great host

Topic: Sponsor Announcement (Brian)

Constellation Cycling - James Lee (course setter) is a member.

CC is hosting their big event of the season (Lions Roar) on 22 October

Lion's Roar. NCCX, Race #3. Sunday, October 22, 2022 - Lions Park - 516 Dennis Ave. Raleigh, NC 27604

Topic: Season 8 Dates and Locations (Brian)

Posted on website and announced via Iterable and social media

Highlights

1. Walk through the events by date
2. Two new venues
3. One western venue - private!
4. Qualifying championship (race committee to help determine criteria)
5. Season finale = Adventure Festival
6. Hybrid fee scheme - discount package

Topic: Sponsor Announcement (Brian)

CognativeMTB a returning sponsor

Support to our TTC program: big 3000 hour goal in 2024 and Trail Week 24’, March 18-24

TTC staff is coordinating events with SORBA chapters and various conservancy

groups across the state to help provide opportunities for teams during that week (goal

of 1,000 hours that week)

Topic: Pre-season Date Reminders (Brian and Shawn)

GRiT - open to all registered female student athletes and coaches

- 28 October at Keowee Park, Wilkesboro (Warrior Creek and Headwaters Hub trails)

- 4 November at Medoc Mountain State Park, Hollister, NC

Adventure - open to returning student athletes. (mention form in coaches conversation about new athletes) Must attend with their team. Head Coaches may choose one event for their team to attend. Each event is capped at 200 participants. If we have extra space at either event, we will open it to teams wishing to attend both, as space is available. Clarify does not count as a pre-season event

- 18 November at Whitewater Center in Charlotte, NC

- 2 December at Browns Creek, Elizabethtown

Regional Event 10-12 Nov in FairHill MD
Registration closes Tuesday 17 October extended to 1 Nov

Closing (All)

Dad joke