Your Feedback Matters

Every season, we ask our coaches and student athletes to tell us how we’re doing. Not just the highlight reel, the real stuff. What worked, what didn’t, and what you’d like to see change. Here’s what they said.

The big picture: you love TX NICA.

We won’t bury the lead. When asked to rate their overall season experience, 56% of participants and 67% of coaches gave the season a perfect 5 out of 5. Not a single respondent rated it below a 3. That means the world to our staff and volunteers who pour themselves into every race weekend.

What you told us is working: our staff’s ability to adapt when things go sideways (weather, we’re looking at you), the community and family feel that makes NICA different from any other youth sport, professional event production, and the campfire culture that turns race weekends into memories. Those things aren’t accidents. They’re the result of hundreds of volunteer coaches and staff who show up every week for your kids.

What you’d like to see:

You were honest with us, and we appreciate it. Here’s what came through clearly:

Race Format

On the race format, coaches and participants actually see it a little differently. Most participants want to protect the full Friday-Sunday weekend format — and we hear you, the campfire culture depends on it. Coaches were more open to a Saturday-only option for single-conference races. We’re taking both perspectives seriously as we plan 2027.

Race Weekend Quantity

Nearly half of both coaches and participants said six races per season is their sweet spot — and a significant portion want even more than that. Less than 10% of either group wanted fewer than five.

The message is clear: you’re not looking for a shorter season. You want a full one, with room to breathe between races. We’re taking that seriously as we build the 2027 schedule.

Race Season Timing

On the schedule, both groups agreed: start in February, end in May, and give us some breathing room between races. We’re working on it.

Race Weekend Travel

On conference structure, the data is fairly clear — most of you are up for the drives to great venues and want to keep the North/South division.

What comes next

The survey surfaced 15 areas our coaches and participants want us to look at, everything from event logistics to scheduling to outreach. We’re working through each one with our board and staff as we build out Season XVI.

• Improve event guide usability
• Continue to work on mid-day podiums
• Improve pre-ride window consistency
• Protect full weekend format
• Middle school advanced girls category traction
• Explore new venues
• More partnerships with bike shops and schools for outreach

We’ll keep sharing updates as decisions get made. Thank you for trusting us with your feedback — and for being part of what makes TX NICA worth improving.