Skyridge Jr.

Devo
Mountain Bike Team
2021 Team Rules

1. Sportsmanship – You represent our Junior High schools, our team, and cycling in general. Display sportsmanship during all
events. Treat teammates, coaches, spectators, and officials with fair play and respect. Being considerate of others will assure
a unified team. Student-athletes on the trail can be imposing to other users. Say “hi” and slow down to pass oncoming trail
users. Bullying and cliques are not our standard.

2. Helmets – Helmets are required. Under no circumstances will a rider (parent or student) be on their bike without a fastened
helmet. Team members will set the example for following this rule always. (see NICA 2021 Rules & Guidelines)

3. Safety – Jr. High School Mountain Biking is not an extreme sport. Practices and racing are fun and fast, but must be within
the limits of the athlete. Coaches will focus on teaching safety and skills. Taking risks beyond your ability is not acceptable
behavior. Safe speeds are relative to terrain and experience level. You must be able to stop safely within the distance that
you can see ahead. Approach switchbacks and turns in anticipation that someone is coming the other way.

4. Respect - Ride only on authorized trails. Never ride on muddy trails. Pass with care and let others know of your presence
well in advance. Pedestrians with pets on leashes have the right of way. If a horse is on the trail, stop and let it pass.
Sometimes it may be necessary to dismount and get off the trail to allow others to pass. Headphones are not allowed during
team rides or races.

5. Attendance & Participation – Each member is expected to fully participate in practices, training, and at least one trail or
service projects. Failure to meet these expectations may result in removal from the team. Please communicate your
availability to the team within TeamSnap. Team members are expected to arrive on time for practice and are responsible for
checking in with their assigned coach. Riders should not leave practice without checking out with their coach.

6. Service & Volunteering – Each member is expected to fully participate in service projects and to enroll family and friends as
volunteers for the team needs and for one race day. Our teams are dependent on volunteers.

7. Practice Groups – Coaches will structure practice into several groups to accommodate and help riders of all levels to
develop, and to alleviate the burden of large groups on the trail. We welcome feedback from students and ride leaders
about grouping assignments. However, ride groups are assigned by the coaches. It is critical to ride in your assigned group
and give your best effort within your assigned ride group at each practice. Failure to stay in your assigned group can cause
safety issues for the team and is unacceptable behavior. If a rider leaves practice without checking out with their assigned
coach, the rider will need to be accompanied one-on-one by a registered ride leader or parent for one full practice in order
to resume participation with the team. Repeated abandonment of practice groups is grounds for removal from the team.

8. Bicycles & Maintenance – Team members will be expected to come to practice and races with a functioning and properly
maintained bicycle. Bike problems on the trail such as flats are a normal part of riding and coaches will be teaching basic
bike maintenance skills throughout the season. Riders will be expected to learn and perform basic on-trail repairs. Riders are
responsible for the condition and safety of their own bicycles.

9. Injuries – Any injuries or medical conditions that would affect your ability to safely ride a bicycle must be reported to your
coach. It will be the coaches’ decision to clear riders again after an injury and may require medical release as determined by
the coach. Any reported possible concussions will require medical release before returning to practice.

10. Medical – Any student-athlete with a medical condition will carry with them at practices and races any needed medications
and supplies. Coaches need to be notified of such conditions at the beginning of the season.

11. NICA Rules – Read and follow all NICA Rules as outlined in the 2021 NICA League Rules & Guidelines. NICA policies
supersede team rules. https://www.nationalmtb.org/blog/wp-content/uploads/NICA-Handbook.pdf