Happy off-season!
Whew. What a season!
Season XV is a wrap — and it was a good one. We got more kids on bikes this season than ever before in Texas NICA history. None of it happens without the coaches, families, volunteers, and communities who show up every single weekend. Thank you.
We hope the off-season is treating you well. Rest first, adventures second! We’ll see you out on the trails soon enough.
The league never really sleeps, of course. We’re scouting venues, building partnerships, and dreaming up ways to get even more kids on bikes next season. If you know a sponsor, a business, or a human who’d love to be part of what we’re building.. send them our way.
See you on the trails.
JJ & Kim
End-of-season Feedback
We strive to make every season a better experience for our student-athletes and their families, but we can’t do it alone. Your feedback provides valuable guidance in league scheduling, venue selection, rules and more.
We want to hear from you.
Note for coaches: this is different from the Coach survey sent out in the Coaches News.
Season XVI Student Leadership Opportunities
Student Cabinet Applications – Open through May 29, 2026 The Student Advisory Cabinet includes high school student-athletes who are ready to take on a leadership role and help shape the future of the league by engaging with league leaders and representing the student perspective.
GRiT Ambassador Applications – Open through May 29, 2026 GRiT Ambassadors are role models who organize, support, and encourage female student athletes to find joy and empowerment through cycling.
2026 Life Time Foundation NICA Ambassadors
Congratulations to TX NICA student-athlete, Madelyn Hill (Brazos Valley Bike Team) on being selected as a 2026 Life Time Foundation x NICA Ambassadors for Unbound Gravel!
NICA selected 5 riders from across the country who are heading to the start line of one of the most iconic gravel events in the world and we can’t wait to follow their journey as they take on the Unbound 50. Wishing them tailwinds all the way to Emporia!
Click here to learn more about the Generations in Motion campaign and the 2026 NICA Ambassadors.
Support Madelyn’s Fundraising for the Life Time Foundation
Save the Dates
- October 4-5 – Take a Kid Mountain Biking – Let’s join IMBA with a Texas-wide Try-it-Out weekend!
- November 7-8 – NICA Central Regionals – Fayetteville, Arkansas
Stay Inspired This Off-Season
Texas Coach Carter Smith on the FastTalk Podcast
Our very own Carter Smith, Heart of Texas, joined in on the FastTalk Podcast back in March – Setting the Example for Youth Development with NICA.
Thanks Carter for leading by example!
Check it out! https://overcast.fm/+AAd-2fXqet4
Project Play
The Aspen Institute’s Project Play initiative conducted a first-of-its kind national youth study to understand children’s experiences in sports. Almost 4,000 youth nationally participated in the survey, of which 15% were NICA student athletes. See the key findings and a link to the full results.
Follow the League
Photos and race results will always be posted to texasmtb.org. Follow along on YouTube, Instagram and Strava for additional race weekend content and post-race results and photos!
