We believe that friendship, building character, and rising to challenges are lifetime pursuits---and we believe there is no better place for this than on a bike. Build a team around that bike and we become unstoppable (except for the braking…we do have to brake from time to time. It’s part of the cross-country mountain bike experience). 

Here’s the lowdown on how the Oregon League season rolls:

• Registration - opens up for coaches on March 1 and for student-athletes on April 1. Registration is by invite. To connect with a team in your area, please see the Find a Team page.

• Preseason - teams are allowed to organize preseason activities from April through June. This can include meet and greets, maintenance clinics, and/or skills clinics. 

• Practices - teams gather for practices and adventures from July through October. Each team sets their own calendar for the season so start dates may vary to accommodate for coach availability, vacations, camp schedules, and/or potential weather issues.

Rounding out our team programming, our season also includes the following learning, riding, and community building opportunities:

Races

NICA-sanctioned races provide student-athletes an arena in which to set and accomplish competitive goals and to achieve their personal best. The Oregon League’s season includes five races from August through October. Professional race promotion, timing, course preparation, and risk management guarantee every participating student-athlete is given a fun environment.

Rider Camps and Clinics

For many student-athletes, mountain biking is a new sport. Even the experienced riders can learn something new at a NICA rider camp and clinic, which emphasizes proper skill, technique and a healthy approach to riding and racing. Certified coaches and assistants provide spot-on training for students of all skill levels, and in several cases a girls-only camp is held to encourage our future women to let their natural abilities flow. We are currently working with youth cycling camp providers for options for summer ‘26.

Girls Riding Together (GRiT)

The GRiT (Girls Riding Together) program is a NICA national initiative aimed at increasing the overall participation rate of more female student-athletes and female coaches in NICA.

Teen Trail Corps

Teen Trail Corps is NICA national program designed to provide stewardship opportunities for our student-athlete and their families including, but not limited to, trail workdays, writing to elected officials about cycling concerns, speaking to peers about their MTB experiences, and advocating for MTB access on their local trails. Learn more about Teen Trail Corps here.

Student advisory crew

The Oregon League’s Student Advisory Crew is responsible for sharing the student-athlete’s perspective and creating super stoke around the student-athlete experience throughout the season. This is a collaborative, engaged group of students who are ready to take on a leadership role and provide insight to the league’s leadership. Advisory crew members will help shape the future of the Oregon League, advise on timely issues, and advocate for the best interests of all student-athletes. 

Leaders’ Summit

Where do coaches learn how to start and manage an interscholastic mountain bike team? What are the do's and don’ts of creating a healthy team or joining an existing one in our state? An Oregon Leader Summit brings together new and experienced coaches and leaders for a dynamic weekend of hands-on education about what it takes to be an exemplary NICA coach. The core Leaders’ Summit courses are taught online by the NICA Coach Licensing Team, and the Oregon League also provides additional virtual events to prepare our new and returning coaches for the season. Options for online Leaders’ Summits can be found here.