Race Plate Pick-up

Coaches will pick up all race plates at the first race. Riders will receive one plate to be used for all races and event weekend activities. Plates have chips on the back and require care to avoid damage. Each athlete will also receive a back number that must be adhered to their jersey during races. There is a $10 fee to replace lost, stolen, or forgotten plates. If you need a replacement, go to the registration tent.

No unregistered parents or siblings allowed on course

To be on the course or in the adventure zone at any time during event weekends, riders (Students and Coaches) must be fully practice ready in Pit Zone and have their number plates on their bike.
GRiT ride participants should sign a waiver at the GRiT tent

NICA’s race production, safety, and scoring standards are intended as guidance to facilitate and promote fair, safe, and challenging competition.

See Chapter 5 of the TX NICA Handbook for information on:

• NICA Courses
• NICA Course Length
• Designated Pit Zone
• Start line and first race call-ups
• Concussion recovery call-up
• Air quality sensitivity call-up
• Student-athletes may be pulled
• Time limits may be imposed
• Race course blockages
• Race Finishes
• Series championships
• League structure and categories
• Petitioning for placement
• Individual scoring
  • Individual scoring series
  • Points system
  • Overall individual series scoring
  • Point bonus for completing all races
• Team scoring
  • Scoring matrix
  • Overall team scoring
  • Awards at each race
  • Awards for overall series
  • Race results and protest process
  • Race finishes – championships
  • Individual points scale

The number of laps raced in each category is determined according to riders’ ability to complete the race within a specific time.

Event times will be:

• Not to exceed 45 minutes for 5th-8th Grade categories
• Not to exceed 75 minutes for JV2, JV3, and JV4 MS Advanced categories
• Not to exceed 90 minutes for JV1 categories
• Not to exceed 105 minutes for Varsity

Student athletes are expected to be able to safely complete the course within the designated time limit. Athletes may be asked to withdraw and exit the course after cut-off time limits have been reached. Racers who do not make the time limit cut-off will still be scored and ranked. 

League and race officials reserve the right to determine these time limits and alter them at any time. Time limits may be imposed or altered for reasons that include, but are not limited to, safety, heat, cold, rain, and muddy conditions. 

Race categories will be evaluated and assigned in Pit Zone. Petitions should be submitted to the Texas League Rules Committee using the petition form by Friday at 11:59 PM, one week before the race weekend.

No race day petitions will be accepted

See page 27 in the TX NICA Handbook for category placement criteria.

Weather Policy

The League’s primary considerations in assessing inclement weather plans are the safety of riders, staff and spectators, as well as the potential for damage to the venue and trails. Decisions regarding canceling, postponing or altering race start times, lap lengths, number of laps, etc. will be made jointly by league staff and the land manager. If inclement weather is predicted, we will make a decision about weather related cancellations by Thursday at 5:00 p.m. For more details about our inclement weather thresholds and cancellations, see the Weather Policy. 

Refund Policy

We realize that mountain biking is a new sport for many, and parents may be concerned that their child may not stick with it. The Texas Interscholastic Cycling League strives to put on world-class events and provide all of our student-athletes, coaches, and volunteers with the best resources possible at practices throughout the season. With this goal in mind, we make a financial investment to cover insurance, training, and planning activities. Those expenses are continuously incurred. In order to maintain the sustainability of the League, it is necessary we implement a NO REFUND policy with limited exceptions only for illness, injury, or family emergencies. 

Refunds for injured athletes

The Texas League fee may be partially refundable for season-ending illnesses, injuries, or family emergencies that prohibit athletes from participating in practices and races. A doctor’s note must be provided for illness or injuey. There is a minimum $100 non-refundable fee to cover NICA fees, insurance, and registration. Refunds cannot be made after the second race. League leadership will review refund requests and make a determination. 

All participants are required to read, understand and abide by all league policies, rules and protocols while attending any league event.

The handbook details important rules that should be followed at all races as well as any associated penalties or disciplinary actions that can be assessed against riders or teams for violations of the rules.

As our league has grown, our guidelines around school teams, composite teams and independent athletes has evolved.

Review section 2.6 of the TX NICA Handbook for questions around team type and structure.

Safety Reporting

Incident reports are mandatory whenever a student-athlete or coach is injured during a NICA activity. These incident reports are submitted by each team’s Designated Reporter or an independent rider’s parent. For more information on safety reporting please see our brochure here. 

Insurance Coverage

NICA insurance coverage is for registered student-athletes and registered coaches injured while participating in the sanctioned pre-ride and race events. For more information on NICA Insurance Coverage, please see our FAQ here.