Tag Archives: NICA

Highlights to the MN HS Cycling League championship race in Mankato

by Libby Hurley, MN HS Cycling League /Photo Credit: tmbimages.com

For the fourth consecutive year, the MN High School Cycling League headed back to Mt. Kato, for Race #7. This State championship race was held in Mankato, MN on Saturday, October 27 and Sunday, October 28, 2018. A favorite course for many young racers, the location, and venue easily accommodated the 3,500+ racers and spectators that attended the event.

Freshman Boys D1 | Wyatt Peterson, Burnsville | Mt. Kato 2018 | Photo Credit: tmbimages.com

MN HS Cycling League highlights

For two days, over 1,200 racers from 64 teams across the state of Minnesota, Iowa, North Dakota. South Dakota and Western Wisconsin came together to compete in the final MN HS Cycling League race of the 2018 season.

Since there was a bye-week schedule in place for the season, each of the six previous races had a reduced number of teams competing, resulting in less impact to the event venues and students were able to compete against different racers. But, at this race event, all of the MN League teams were able to compete in one race; resulting in the largest MN League race to date.

Freshman Girls | Victoria Voss, Rochester | Mt. Kato 2018 | Photo Credit: tmbimages.com

As the team tents went up on Friday evening, the race course and community came together. People were laughing, dogs were barking, cheers of encouragement were heard along with excited voices shouting out greetings – the MN League race venue had arrived in Mankato for two days of action-packed mountain bike racing and not a speck of snow in the forecast.

This year, the weather cooperated, two days of brisk, bright days made for an amazing race weekend. Against a backdrop of brilliant fall colors, racers wound their way up the mountain, and then into the wooded singletrack, to complete a lap in the just under 4-mile course. Based on a rider’s skill level, the number of laps increases, with varsity riders completing four laps or 16-miles.

As the last race of the season, and for many seniors, the last race of their high school careers, the finish line was filled with cheering spectators and close finishes, but there were also tears and hugs, as competitors shook hands one last time.

Thank you to the folks at Mt. Kato for their support before and during the race. And, thanks to the team members and volunteers from the Mankato Composite team for their gracious hosting of our core staff dinner on Friday night and their volunteer efforts before and during the race.

Get ready Minnesota – racing will be back soon. Watch for news regarding the 2019 racing schedule, later this month.

JV2 Girls | Izzy Rasmusen #551, Alexandria Area | Mt. Kato 2018

MN HS Cycling League race #7 – Results and more photos

FULL RACE RESULTS
View Full Results

RACE DAY PHOTOS
View Race Photos. Photo Credit: Todd Bauer and David Markman – MN League Official Photographers.

LOCAL NEWS COVERAGE
Kristine Goodrich, covered the event for Mankato Free Press. View News Story

KEYC, a local Mankato television station covered the event. View News Story

HALLOWEEN FUN

Since it was Halloween weekend; amidst the cheering fans, there were a few interesting characters: a life-size banana, an elephant, Yeti, a giraffe and even a zebra! Tutus were out, tiaras were on helmets and there was even a racer that went by in a full bear costume.

RACE RESULTS

Freshman Boys D2 | Owen Skroch, St. Croix Composite | Mt. Kato 2018 | Photo Credit: tmbimages.com

In the Middle School D1 race, Stillwater and Prior Lake almost tied for first place, with a difference of three points. Stillwater secured the first place over Prior Lake and Washburn took home the third place trophy.

In the D2 Middle School Team competition, Rochester decisively took the first place trophy over Alexandria Area with Mankato taking third place.

Varsity Riders from SW Mpls, Hopkins and Stillwater at the finish line | Mt. Kato 2018 | Photo Credit: tmbimages.com

In the High School Team Competition, Division 1: Stillwater with podium wins in over 5 categories, took home the first place trophy, with Edina High School securing second place. Southwest Mpls was close behind to take third place. Division 2: Crosby-Ironton High School beat out Highland Park for the first place trophy. Chaska took the 3rd place trophy.

Season overall winners will be announced at the Year End Ceremony on Fri. Nov. 9 at Northrup Auditorium in Minneapolis, MN. Details

About the Minnesota High School Cycling League

The Minnesota High School Cycling League is a state-wide independent activity provider for student-athletes in 7th to 12th grade. Our mission is to build strong bodies, strong minds, and strong character through cycling, regardless of ability level. Each MN League season includes summer programs, a seven-race series, wilderness first aid certification courses and a Spring Leaders’ Summit for training and certification of coaches. The MN League exists by virtue of a range of fundraising activities, as well as generous donors, and MN League and NICA national sponsors. For more information on the MN League, visit minnesotamtb.org.

MTN Bike Race will draw over 1,500 student racers to the Mankato

From the MN High School Cycling League Race Report

The Minnesota High School Cycling League is heading into its State Championship Race, in Mankato MN, this coming next weekend. The final race of the season will draw over 1,500 racers from 63 teams to the picturesque Minnesota River Valley Area for the final race of a seven-race series. This will be the largest race of the MN HS Cycling League since its inception in 2012.

The MN High School Championship Race is this coming weekend

They are all ready for challenge in Mankato at Mt. Kato.

They are all ready for the challenge at Mt. Kato, in Mankato. Photo Credit: tmbimages.com

The final event will be held over two days, Oct 27 – 28, at Mt. Kato Ski area, in Mankato. This Minnesota League State Championship Race is the culmination of a seven-race series for over 1,500 mountain bike racers across MN, Western WI and parts of ND and SD.

With a bye-week schedule in place through the season. Each race previously held this year had a reduced number of teams competing. This resulted in less impact to the event venues and students were able to compete against different racers. View Bye-Week Schedule.

But, at the last race of the season, all of the MN League teams will be competing together. It will truly be a state championship race!

“This is the one time per year that we have an opportunity for all student-athletes to race together. Very few venues will accommodate over 1,500 student-athletes for two days of racing and the subsequent coaches, spectators and parents cheering everyone on,” said Josh Kleve, MN League Director. “This is undoubtedly my favorite event of the year to watch!”

Championship Race Details

Get ready for two days of racing action! That’s right. We need two full days of racing since we have 63 teams competing at the Season Championship race. Review the Race Flyer for the full race schedule and details.

Learn more

If you would like to participate or volunteer check out the Leagues web site: www.minnesotamtb.org/

Minnesota High School Cycling League, Race #5 highlights from Whitetail Ridge

From the MN High School Cycling League Race Report

The MN HS League headed over the border into Wisconsin for race #5 at Whitetail Ridge on October 7th. With temps hovering between 40 and 50 degrees, over 700 mountain bike racers from MN, Western WI, SD, and ND converged at Whitetail Ridge, for the fifth of the seven-race series. A fan-favorite race venue for the league; racers were thrilled to be back at Whitetail Ridge to take on the 4-mile course of endless climbs and rolling hills.

Throughout the day, horns, bells, and cheering could be heard coming deep from within the forest. As a wave of racers would head to the finish line, spectators would spill out of the forest and rush to the finish line and watch the racers cross the line. With racing taking place from 8 am until 4 pm, it was a thrilling day of racing at Whitetail Ridge.

Thank you again to the St. Croix Composite Team and their volunteers who worked tirelessly weeks before the race to ensure the course and the infield were ready for the race.

RACE #5 – RACE RESULTS AND PHOTOS

With the bye week schedule in place, the number of racers on the course is reduced from 1,500 to 700. In addition, with a different mix of teams at each race, students get to compete against different racers, and a variety of racers are on on the podiums.

RACE RESULTS
View Full Results

PHOTOS
View Race Photos. Photo Credit: Todd Bauer and David Markman – MN League Official Photographers.

LOCAL NEWS COVERAGE
Bob Burrows, covered the event for River Falls Journal. View News Story

RACE HIGHLIGHTS

In the Middle School D1 competition, Stillwater and Prior Lake were once again battling for the first place finish. Prior Lake pulled ahead with top finishes from Jack Tocko and Alex Krawza to secure the first place trophy. Stillwater took second and Washburn held on for third place.

Get ready to see which teams take the Middle School D1 podium in Race #6 on Sun. Oct. 14. Stillwater, Prior Lake and Washburn, who have taken the top honors the last few races, will all be on a bye week.

In the D2 Middle School Team competition, New Prague Composite pulled ahead to take the first place trophy over St. Croix Composite by just six points; with Elk River Composite taking third place.

In the High School Team Competition, Division 1: It was a close race for the top three spots, with Stillwater securing the first place trophy over Hopkins. Edina was close behind to take the third place trophy. Division 2: St. Croix Composite, on their home turf, beat out Mpls. South for first place in the team competition. Chaska took the 3rd place trophy.

Learn more

If you would like to participate or volunteer check out the Leagues web site: www.minnesotamtb.org/

Minnesota High School Cycling League, Race #4 highlights from Detroit Lakes

From the MN High School Cycling League Race Report

The MN HS League headed to northwestern Minnesota for Race #4 of the season on September 30th. A new race venue for the league racers were thrilled with the new course. Detroit Mountain was a flowing and challenging mountain bike trail system with a healthy dose of climbing. Spectators enjoyed the hospitality at the chalet and took advantage of the gorgeous winding trails surrounding the course to cheer on the racers. It was an epic day of racing.

With the bye week schedule in place, the number of racers on the course was reduced from 1,500 to 700. In addition, with a different mix of teams at each race, students get to compete against different racers, and a variety of racers are on on the podiums.

RACE #4 – RACE RESULTS AND PHOTOS

RACE RESULTS
View Full Results

PHOTOS
View Race Photos. Photo Credit: Todd Bauer – MN League Official Photographer.

LOCAL TV COVERAGE
Andreas Farrell, covered the event for WDAY News. View News Story

VIDEO HIGHLIGHT REEL
Detroit Mountain put together a sweet video to highlight the racing excitement of the day. View Video

RACE HIGHLIGHTS

Weather again was a factor at the race, instead of blistering heat, racers were met with temperatures hovering around 40 degrees. As the day progressed, the clouds parted to offer a brisk and beautiful day of racing.

In the Middle School competition, Alexandria Area decisively took the D2 first place trophy; with Mankato securing second place and Northwest Composite taking third place based on a strong finish from their 7th and 8th-grade girl racers.

Stillwater and Prior Lake were once again battling for the D1 first place trophy. Washburn and Burnsville were close behind and almost nudged them out with big wins in the 7th and 8th-grade girls races. However, with Stillwater taking the top 4 spots in the 8th-grade boys race, Stillwater secured the first place trophy at Detroit Mountain. Prior Lake earned the 2nd place trophy and Washburn took third.

In High School competition, the finish line offered a number of photo finishes. In the Varsity Boys race, five riders charged to the finish in a tight pack. Braeden Anderson, Crosby-Ironton pulled ahead at the last second to just beat out Calvin Sandberg, Prior Lake. Freshman Boys D1 race held a similar finish with Nico Alexander, Washburn beating out Cooper Camp, Southwest Mpls by 1 second!

In the High School Team Competition, Division 1: Southwest Mpls. nudged Stillwater to take the first place trophy with Hopkins and Duluth East, not far behind in points. Division 2: Highland Park beat out Crosby-Ironton for first place in the team competition. Chaska and Cuyuna-Lakes were tied for the 3rd place trophy.

Minnesota High School Cycling League, Race #3 highlights from Rochester

From the MN High School Cycling League Race Report

The MN HS League headed to Southern MN for Race #3 of the season. Battling high temps and dusty wind gusts, September 16, mountain bike racers from across the state arrived in Gamehaven to test their skills in the third race of a seven-race series. Here in the photo are Freshman Boys in their D2 Race at Gamehaven | Photo Credit: tmbimages.com

The Gamehaven Trail on the Boy Scout Reservation just south of Rochester, MN is normally open to the public. The trail offers a mix of singletrack and rolling hills; with a bit more elevation, increasing the level of trail difficulty as the season progresses.

RACE #3 – RACE RESULTS AND PHOTOS

With the bye week schedule in place, the number of racers on the course drops from 1,500 to 700. In addition, with a different mix of teams at each race, students get to compete against different racers and the league is seeing a variety of racers on the podiums.

With temperatures over 90 degrees at the height of the day, many of the racers were not only challenged by the trail, but by the heat. Each racer gave it everything to cross the line.

In the Middle School competition in Race #3

Here there are two teams which dominated the podium. Stillwater and Prior Lake. 8th Grade Boys D1, Stillwater had the top 6 spots and in 7th Grade Boys D1, Prior Lake took 4 of the top slots. However, with strong finishes in other MS categories, Prior Lake edged out Stillwater to take home the first place team trophy.

In High School competition in Race #3

Division 1: Stillwater took the first place trophy with Duluth East and Prior Lake, not far behind in points. Division 2: Highland Park, St. Paul beat out Crosby-Ironton for first place in the team competition. Alexandria Area took home the 3rd place trophy.

RACE RESULTS
View Full Results

PHOTOS

View Race Photos. Photo Credit: Todd Bauer and David Markman – MN League Official Photographers.

RACE #4 – Scheduled for next weekend

The next race in the fall Minnesota High School Cycling schedule is Detroit Lakes, September 30th. See more here http://minnesotamtb.org/events/2018-race-4-detroitmtn-2!

Learn more

If you would like to participate or volunteer check out the Leagues web site: www.minnesotamtb.org/

Help the MN High School Cycling League with their fall events as a volunteer

Help our youth grow with cycling a part of their childhood, volunteer at one of the Minnesota High School Cycling League events this fall. The Minnesota League is a volunteer-based organization and can always use more help!

Why volunteer? The MN High School Cycling League is a volunteer-based organization and can always use more help!

Without volunteers the League cannot hold the races for the kids. For each of the following races, they need about 130-160 people for each. They value all those who give of their time and energy to help the participating student-athletes succeed.

2018 Minnesota High School Race schedule needs your help:

Race 1 – Aug 25 Austin Spam Trail
Race 2 – Sep 9 – Lake Rebecca
Race 3 – Sep 16 – Game Haven
Race 4 – Sep 30 – Detroit Mountain
Race 5 – Oct 7 – Welch Village
Race 6 – Oct 14 – Spirit Mountain
Race 7 – Oct 27/28 – Mt Kato (State Championship)

Get Ready for Season 5! | 2015 Mt Kato, MS Boys Photo Credit: Todd Bauer, tmbimages.com

Get Ready for Season 2018! | 2015 Mt Kato, MS Boys Photo Credit: Todd Bauer, tmbimages.com

What you can do as a volunteer to help!

As part of the Race Day Crew, help out with scoring, hand out water, course marshal on the race course, be a crossing guard or choose the popular “sweep” position. All of these positions are important!

Meet the racers parents, members of the H.S League staff, and have fun at the same time.

If you have a family member racing, volunteer to help when they are not racing. Be a part of the excitement and still be able to watch someone you know race!

Tip: As a course marshal or a crossing guard, you are able to get right on the race course where there is exceptional viewing of the course!

SIGN UP TODAY!

Learn about the needed race day volunteer positions and how to register on the Leagues online registration site called Sign Up!

Eleanor Dolan (7005), Mpls Southside MS G7 | Mt Kato 2015, Photo Credit: Todd Bauer, tmbimages.com

Eleanor Dolan, Mpls Southside MS G7 | Photo Credit: Todd Bauer, tmbimages.com

About the Minnesota High School Cycling League

The Minnesota High School Cycling League was organized in 2012 to provide competitive mountain biking programs for students in grades 9 to 12. With the cooperation of local race organizers, their partners, and their sponsors they are able to provide a high quality mountain racing experience. They believe that mountain biking is the ‘T-Ball’ of cycling and several League alumni athletes are now racing on professional teams at events like the Tour of California and the Sea Otter Classic. Due to the rapid growth and participation, the MN League has expanded to now allow middle school aged students to race. Minnesota High School Cycling League

Do your part giving back to the cycling community you enjoy

by John Brown, HaveFunBiking.com

Giving back to the trails, paths, roads and events you enjoy is a great way to stockpile some good karma and it’s fun! There are countless ways to give back to your cycling community. For example, you can volunteer to support rides, clean up a trail system, build a trail, support a high school cycling program, or help repair bikes for new riders. Read on for some more details.

Giving back to your cycling community by trail building

There are thousands of trails throughout the U.S. and they all need help to stay ride-able. Specifically, repairing places where rain water creates ruts and removes soil. As a result, water damages trails even if riders, hikers, and horses aren’t using them. As a result of this damage, user groups meet to do regular trail work to combat the deterioration of local trails and paths. IMBA (The International Mountain Biking Association) has training programs that teach groups how to keep trails in pristine shape. However, If you are looking for something more immediate, track down a local group, pick up a shovel or rake, and help with the next trail day.

If you are looking for a few other great ways of giving back, IMBA has a concise list.

Volunteer to support others

There is always a need for volunteers at bicycle events. Because of that need, many events offer exceptional perks to anyone donating their time. Examples are; being able to earn free entrance into the Bike New York ride, getting preferential registration position to enter into Ironman races that quickly fill up and meeting professional cyclists at Gran Fondo events. Moreover, the largest perk in giving back is helping your fellow riders have a great time.

Volunteer to lead others

Join a local club and host a ride! Use your love of cycling to teach others a great new route, new trail, or where to stop for the world’s best doughnut. If you haven’t ever lead a group ride, learn the basics here.

Get kids into riding

There are amazing people out there who have dedicated limitless hours to getting new riders on bikes. Two groups that come to mind are Free Bikes 4 Kidz and Trips for Kids. Both have placed thousands of bicycles into the hands of underprivileged kids. Additionally, Trips for Kids also offers rides and training for young cyclists. Check out the overview of each below.

Free Bikes 4 Kidz is a non-profit organization geared toward helping all kids ride into a happier, healthier childhood by providing bikes to those most in need. The public donates gently used bikes and thousands of volunteers clean them, refurbish them, and then then give them away to kids in need. To date, over 32,000 bikes have been given away.

Trips for Kids Started out as a California dream with a handful of volunteers. Trips for Kids has grown into a national movement with over 75 independent chapters running the Trail Rides program.

Keep kids riding

The fastest growing sport in high school athletics is mountain biking. The organization spearheading this movement is The National Interscholastic Cycling Association (NICA for short). The NICA Volunteer Program is your opportunity to be a part of the high school cycling movement! NICA is always looking for enthusiastic and dedicated people to help with a variety of tasks necessary to promote its programs. Tasks can include calling or mailing campaigns, research, data upkeep, event preparation and execution, and much more. Some volunteer opportunities can even be completed from home.

Bike Pic Dec 21, fond summer memories at a Jail Trail competition

Fond memories for this young mountain biker on the Jail Trail in St. Cloud last summer, competing on the St, Cloud High School Composites team of the Minnesota High School Cycling League.

What better way to reflect on your 2017 riding season and plan your 2018 #NextBikeAdventure. View all the great ideas and bike destinations in the latest Minnesota Bike/Hike Guide. Then plan your next outing with family and friends in one of the HaveFunBiking Destinations.

Thanks for Viewing Our ‘Jail Trail’ Pic of the Day

We are now rolling into our 10th year as a bike tourism media. As we pedal forward our goal is to continue to encourage more people to bike and have fun while we highlight all the unforgettable places for you to ride. As we continue to showcase more places to have fun, we hope the photos we shoot are worth a grin. Enjoy the information and stories we have posted as you scroll through.

Do you have a fun bicycle related photo of yourself or someone you may know that we should post? If so, please send your picture(s) to: [email protected]. Include a brief caption (for each) of who is in the photo (if you know) and where the picture was taken. Photo(s) should be a minimum of 1,000 pixels wide or larger to be considered. If we use your photo, you will receive photo credit and acknowledgment on Facebook and Instagram.

As we continue to encourage more people to bike, please view our Destination section at HaveFunBiking.com for your #NextBikeAdventure – Also, check out the MN Bike Guide, now mobile friendly, as we enter into our 8th year of producing this hand information booklet full of maps.

Remember, bookmark HaveFunBiking.com on your cell phone and find your next adventure at your fingertips! Please share our pics with your friends and don’t forget to smile. We may be around the corner with one of our cameras ready to document your next cameo apperance while you are riding and having fun. You could be in one of our next Pic’s of the Day.

Bike Pic Dec 14, fond summer memories at a Jail Trail competition

Fond memories for this young mountain biker on the Jail Trail in St. Cloud last summer, competing on the Mankato High School team of the Minnesota High School Cycling League.

Thanks for Viewing Our ‘Jail Trail’ Pic of the Day

The Frog 62 shows off a new approach in kid’s bike design

by John Brown, HaveFunbiking.com

It almost feels like Christmas here at HaveFunBiking.com. Why such a great day?…..Because we have a new bike to review! The Frog 62, our review bike, is special because for the first time this writer won’t be the one reviewing it (more about that in a bit). Frog Bicycles is at the spear tip of a new movement in children’s bikes. They develop bicycles exclusively for children that fit better and weigh less than anything else. Considering I am not a child, I won’t be riding this bike. Instead, that duty of reviewing the Frog 62 is being passed along to my nine year old son.

The Frog 62 Bike

The Frog 62 uses an aluminum frame and fork designed to accept 24” wheels, and is very light weight for a kid’s bike (sub 20lbs). On paper, the Frog 62 could look like almost any other kids bike, but looks can be deceiving as Frog has hidden a few amazing fit-features in plain sight. To start, the handlebar and stem combination on this bike is custom for Frog. It is shorter, lighter and perfectly sized for small riders. On that subject, Frog also produces a custom crank that has arms that are both shorter and narrower to accommodate children’s shorter legs and narrower stance. To accept a narrower crank, Frog needs to build their frames specifically to accept those custom cranks. Out of the box, the Frog 62 comes standard with two sets of tires (knobby and smooth) as well as a complete fender set.

Frog 62 in all its green splendor.

Durability

I know what you are going to say. “My little Billy destroys every bike we get him, why do I want to buy a bike with custom parts I can’t replace when Billy does what Billy does?” I knew what you were going to say and so did Frog, that’s why Frog designed their bike around that very issue. In my experience, kids find new ways to destroy bikes every year, but almost never break the crank or stem. So with the Frog 62, that is where they stop with proprietary parts. The rest of the bike is put together with readily available components. While most are readily available, Frog did use the best combination of parts to fit children better than ever before.

Frog’s custom crank in action.

The Fit

The biggest selling feature of a Frog bicycle is the fit. Many mid-sized children’s bikes are just scaled up, tiny, kid’s bikes. By this I mean there is little allotment for size, the bars are typically too high, top tubes are short and they are designed as if the child doesn’t know how to ride a bike. Frog bikes on the other hand uses ongoing scientific testing at Brunel University to drive their bicycle fit dimensions. Due to the results of their testing, the bikes are built to fit children better, handle more accurately, and weigh substantially less than the competition.

Next steps

With Minnesota locked in winter, my son and I won’t be heading out onto the bike paths any time soon. Instead, I plan to use this bike first as a teaching opportunity while the ground is covered with snow. Meaning, that my son and I will build the bike together. Then, I plan to complete a full bicycle fit for him. Paying careful attention to see just how well the engineers at Frog designed this bike for children’s proportions. Also. the knobby tires and fenders will be great for when the weather finally breaks. Stay tuned to learn how the bike fit and build go.

MN HS Cycling League highlights

MN HS Cycling League race #7 – Results and more photos

KEYC, a local Mankato television station covered the event. View News Story

HALLOWEEN FUN

RACE RESULTS

About the Minnesota High School Cycling League

The MN High School Championship Race is this coming weekend

Championship Race Details

Learn more

RACE #5 – RACE RESULTS AND PHOTOS

RACE HIGHLIGHTS

Learn more

RACE #4 – RACE RESULTS AND PHOTOS

RACE HIGHLIGHTS

RACE #3 – RACE RESULTS AND PHOTOS

In the Middle School competition in Race #3

In High School competition in Race #3

RACE RESULTS View Full Results

RACE #4 – Scheduled for next weekend

Learn more

2018 Minnesota High School Race schedule needs your help:

What you can do as a volunteer to help!

SIGN UP TODAY!

About the Minnesota High School Cycling League

Volunteer to support others

Volunteer to lead others

Get kids into riding

Keep kids riding

Thanks for Viewing Our ‘Jail Trail’ Pic of the Day

Thanks for Viewing Our ‘Jail Trail’ Pic of the Day

The Frog 62 Bike

Durability

The Fit

Next steps

RACE RESULTS
View Full Results