cascade challenge
Mt. Bachelor
South Conference - 9/26/26
North Conference - 9/27/26
Cascade Challenge
Location: Mt. Bachelor Ski Resort, 13000 SW Century Drive, Bend
Parking: Our Oregon League staff will help you park in the designated parking areas. Handicapped parking is available. Please allow ample time to get to the venue.
We acknowledge that these events occur on the traditional homelands of the Cayuse, Umatilla, Walla Walla, Molalla, and Klamath.
Weekend Schedule
Saturday
7:00-8:00 Course preview
7:30 Volunteer shifts begin. See positions here.
7:30 Coach meeting
8:30 - 1:30 Students on course! Races are on, meaning no other cyclists or pedestrians are allowed on course.
2:00-4:30 and 5:15-6:00 Course preview for incoming conference
4:30-5:15 GRiT (Girls Riding Together) Ride
Note: Podium awards will take place throughout the day.
Sunday
7:00-8:00 Course preview
7:30 Volunteer shifts begin. See positions here.
7:30 Coach meeting
8:30 - 1:30 Students on course! Races are on, meaning no other cyclists or pedestrians are allowed on course.
1:30 Course teardown
Note: Podium awards will take place throughout the day.
The Course
Oh, the air at 5,700 feet! This course will make you appreciate how hard your lungs work! The Cascade Challenge at Mt. Bachelor ups the ante in complexity, introducing THE WALL, lava rock, and many twists and turns amidst some altitude. Overall, the course is approximately 3 miles with 451 feet of climbing. As with all our courses, it will be finalized during the week leading up to the race (and is subject to change depending on weather and our creative bug).
Course Preview Schedule
The course preview enables student-athletes time to explore the course prior to their RACE. The goal is not to race during the preview, but to take in the terrain, consider any features, and strategize individual approaches for the actual event.
There are three preview windows available, plus a bonus Last Call window at the end of the day. All windows are coach-led. Access the Course Preview Schedule here.
Please note the ride windows for HS3/Varsity, all student-athletes, and GRiT riders.
Students must ride with a level 2 or 3 coach during the course preview.
Students and coaches must have race plates attached to their bikes while doing the course preview.
Only registered student-athletes and NICA coaches are allowed to be on course during the course preview.
Start Table
Call ups will be released as we get closer to RACE season. The below is a representative sample of the schedule and is subject to change. Please arrive 15 minutes before your start time.
Registration & Race Plates
The Oregon League season fee includes registration for this event! No need to do anything else once you’ve signed up for the season.
Race plates can be picked up at the merch tent on Friday or Saturday by your team director or head coach. Each rider is assigned a number plate for the season. You will be using the same race plate for your bike for the whole season. If you lose it, you can replace it for $10 at the merch tent.
GRiT - Girls Riding Together
Calling all female riders, coaches, moms, and mentors…gather up! It’s time to ride!
Meet at the GRiT tent Saturday at 4:00pm for introductions and to get your ride on. This ride is open to all female riders, women coaches, moms, girls currently in 5th - 12th grade, and their mentors. Male coaches interested in supporting girls and women in mountain biking are welcome to ride with us. Anyone who is not currently a registered NICA rider or coach should fill out the NICA Waiver form prior to the ride. Please take a screenshot of the waiver to show at check in. All NICA girls are welcome and invited to participate. You do not need a coach from your team to accompany you. Come join the fun and make some new friends!
Ride Options for Saturday and Sunday:
Racer Course Preview - Pre-ride the course at steady pace with minimal stops for regrouping. This group will not session any parts of the course. Racers only please. This ride group is oriented towards returning riders who feel confident riding the course.
General Course Preview - Open to all riders who would like to pre-ride at a more relaxed pace with a few anticipated stops to regroup and the option to session/reride any parts of the course that feel tricky. This is a great option for riders new to NICA or riders who already did a pre-ride earlier in the day with their team. This is also a great choice for confident riders who are not NICA racers or coaches.
Social Ride - Let's hear it for moms, sisters, and racers looking to ride at a conversational pace and connect with friends from other teams! This ride group is all about celebrating our love of the sport and sharing our passion with women and girls in our NICA community. Everyone is welcome in this group. We will stop as needed to regroup and there will be coach support to assist riders new to the sport.
GRiT Tent Activities: Saturday and Sunday from 3:00 - 5:00pm
We generally have something fun going on in the GRiT Tent at each venue. Come stop by, hang out with other NICA girls and women coaches.
Open to all NICA girls and women coaches.
We kindly request that girls younger than 5th grade be accompanied by a parent who will remain and supervise them.
Volunteer
Our races wouldn't be what they are without our incredible volunteers! If you have a couple hours to spare and want to help make this race happen, sign up online or on-site at the volunteer tent (next to registration). From course marshaling to finish line support to helping stage our riders, we can use your help!
Coach Meeting | Race Day 7:30
Coaches, this is where you’ll get info about the race day, such as risk management, race conditions, and anything else of importance to mention. Sometimes we have to make changes due to weather or other circumstances, so it’s important you’re at the meeting to keep your team and riders informed! Meet near the registration tent.
Camping & Lodging
Onsite at Mt. Bachelor (by reservation): RVs allowed at venue. NO TENT CAMPING.
Sno-Parks (Kapka, Meissner, Swampy Lakes), which allow tent camping, are available.
Airbnb options - Various within and outside of town
Hotels - We have hotel information to share with you! More coming by June 30.
Mechanical Support
Zach (from Zach’s Bikes in Klamath Falls) will be assisting with minor bike repairs this weekend. Remember this is for minor repairs only for student-athletes.
Important Notes
There’s another mountain bike event called the Ring of Fire happening on Saturday at Wanoga, so keep in mind that traffic and camping options in that area will be busier than usual.
No smoking in the team pit or infield areas.
No inappropriate language is allowed in team pit or infield areas.
Any conflicts and/or disputes with any race official or volunteer shall not be dealt with in the team pit area. Violation of this will result in team penalty and/or expulsion from team pit and infield area.
No gasoline generators and no open fires on property.
Keep dogs on leashes and clean up after your dogs.
Pack out all trash. There is no on-site dumpster for refuse.