Rules, Weather & Refund Policies
Season XV League Handbook
This handbook, which includes the student-athlete code of conduct, the adult code of conduct, and rules set forth by NICA, is the foundation for our culture and provides clear guidance for all decision makers and participants.
Adherence to these standards is crucial for maintaining NICA’s risk mitigation model, contributing to its low injury rates, and ensuring its insurability and financial stability. It reflects our commitment to our values, fostering a positive and inclusive NICA culture. By upholding our standards, we create an environment where all participants can thrive.
It has been shortened this year from 100+ pages to 31!
Pre-Season
Get your team ready with these handy links.
Category Placement Petition
Petitions to upgrade categories must be submitted by the Friday of the weekend prior to race weekend.
Season XV Category Placement Table
Category placements are determined based on previous performance and set criteria defined in the handbook.
Rule Exception Petition
Petitions should be filed during the pre-season.
Scholarship Form
We are committed to making our program accessible to everyone, regardless of their financial situation.
Weather Policy
Below are the guidelines for how Texas will conduct races in the event of challenging weather. Our primary considerations are the safety of racers, race support staff, race visitors, and potential damage to the race venue (trails and infield).
Any decisions regarding canceling, postponing, or altering race start times, lap length, number of laps, etc. will be made jointly by the Texas League director, the Associate League Director, and the land manager. Whenever possible, the League will make calls to cancel races by the end of the day on the Thursday before race weekend. Due to the unpredictable and emergent nature of Texas weather, this may not always be possible.
Texas will make every attempt to notify the racing population via email (addresses taken from rider, parent, and coach emails entered when registering in the Pit Zone online registration system), Facebook, and web site updates as soon as possible.
Texas Weather Guidelines:
- Races are held on their scheduled dates and times unless the race course or weather on the day of the race is deemed un-rideable and/or dangerous.
- Texas will have the option to delay the start of a race from the published times if the weather has created dangerous conditions.
- Courses and/or lap lengths may be altered or shortened because of weather conditions.
- Texas will advise of changes to race course or lap count at the pre-race coach meeting if changes are known at that time.
- Last minute changes will be broadcast to racers at the start of each field via the staging and starting staff.
- All racing will stop immediately in the presence of lightning and thunder. Course marshals will direct racers off course where they can seek shelter in vehicles, trailers/RVs, or buildings.
- Re-starting a race that has been stopped (and course cleared) due to lightning (or other emergency);
- Depending on schedule and number of laps completed, the race may be declared over. If time permits, racers will be directed to re-stage at the start line and an abbreviated race will be conducted.
- Race fees:
- If a race is cancelled due to weather conditions fees will not be re-funded.
- Race points:
- If a race is cancelled (not able to be moved or rescheduled):
- No team points will be awarded and the race will not be included in the season overall team point standings.
- No individual points will be awarded and the race will not be included in the season overall individual point standings. Riders will still have a “drop race” available from the remaining races and the 25 series bonus points will be awarded based on completion of all races in the shortened series.
- If a race is partially completed (some fields complete their race and others do not):
- No team points will be awarded and the race will not be included in the season overall team point standings.
- Individual points will be awarded in all of the fields that completed their race and those fields will proceed through the season as normal.
- No individual points will be awarded in the fields where races were not completed and the race will not be included in the season overall individual point standings. Riders will still have a “drop race” available from the remaining races and the 25 series bonus points will be awarded based on completion of all races in the shortened series.
- If a race is cancelled (not able to be moved or rescheduled):
Refund Policy
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.
Additional Race Details
Race Plates
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
Season Scoring
Race Series Rules
Texas offers a conference race series for each conference (North and South) followed by a joint conference State Championship race. Teams can only attend races offering categories for their conference. Some conference races may host both conferences, but each conference will have separate podiums for each category. The League will offer five regular season races for each conference and may have one or more predetermined rain dates in case of weather cancellations.
Please refer to Chapter 5 in the TX NICA League Handbook for details scoring, structure and categories..
Race Duration Guidelines
SECTION 5.2 — NICA course length
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 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.
Chip Timing
All riders will receive a permanent number plate with a chip timing transponder on the backside. Riders use the same plate for the entire race series. Please remove this number plate before transporting bikes to prevent loss.
Replacement number plates will be available at the registration tent for $10.00.
Category Placement
SECTION 5.12 — League structure and categories
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
Weather and Refund Policy
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.
NICA Handbook: Rules and Guidelines
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.
LEAGUE RULES COMMITTEE PETITION FORM COMING SOON (Form will be available soon – Do not use this form for category placement petitions)