Please reach us at wchollowriders@gmail.com if you cannot find an answer to your question.
New riders can participate with the team once before registering by filling out our ride participation waiver here:
https://app.hellosign.com/s/GUoBgIVw
We are a 6th-12th grade boys and girls mountain bike team based in Bowling Green, KY.
We belong to KICL (the Kentucky Interscholastic Cycling League) and NICA (the National Interscholastic Cycling Association)
Our team started racing in mountain bike races in 2017, joined the Tennessee NICA league in 2018 and was a charter member of the KY NICA league in 2021 and we've been racing in it since then. (2024 will be our 4th season)
Our team meets our riders in their goals. Whether it's fun, friends or competition. We have 6th-12th grade boys and girls on our team with varying goals and we attempt to facilitate all of them. Our team has achieved 3 top 5 finishes since being a part of KICL. We have had several top riders in the state in different categories. Our largest achievement is when our riders learn the value of progressing in their goals and learn to love the work and learning that goes into achieving their goals. To answer the question; our team is very competitive but we don't believe in winning at all costs and our definition of winning isn't just putting a foot on the podium. We believe our riders become competitive through constant support and teaching them to set goals and realize them. Guilt, yelling, shame and unfair comparisons are not valid coaching methods for WCHR.
Everyone can ride what you bring as long as the bike has no outstanding repair issues. We will not make recommendations unless you ask if changes need to be made. Bikes should be brought to practice without outstanding repair issues. It does your rider and our coaches no good to waste time in practice attempting to fix repair issues. We do have recommendations if you are thinking of buying a bike for your rider and they don't currently have one.
Our coaches are background checked, volunteer youth supporters. There are three coach levels in KICL/NICA teams. Coaches do not have to be amateur/pro cyclists but must have a love of working with children and a progress focused mentality.
2023 Season Coaching Staff
Philipp Schmidt - Head Coach since 2021 (joined 2021)
Scott Duvall - Team Director since 2021 (joined 2019)
Kelsey Richey - G.Ri.T liason (joined 2022)
Steve Hutsell - (joined 2021)
Steve Knapp - (foundation team 2017)
Jason Massey - (joined 2023)
Ben Kroutil - (joined 2022)
Potential Riders may practice one practice with the team but they must be registered in Pitzone by their 2nd practice. Registration requires the following fees to be paid.
League Fees - National League fee $50, State League Fee $100
Race Fees - There are 5 races and they are $40/each. There will be an adventure ride which is $25. If you rider has never raced an adventure ride is a great way for them to experience all the teams together. Racing is optional. If you signup for all races at the beginning of season there is a $30 discount.
Team Fee - The team fee for 2024 is $150. This covers a jersey, shirt and other expenses the team incurs throughout the year (snacks at races and practices, practice and race supplies). There will be a fundraiser in 2024 to give your rider an opportunity to recoup the team fee cost. More details will be available after July 2024.
Our practices are held at area trails and venues in Bowling Green, Warren County and surrounding areas.
Regular Practice Venues
Low Hollow Trail - Riverfront Park/Weldon Peete Park (Bowling Green, KY)
Gravel Trails - Ephraim White Park (Bowling Green, KY)
Indian Hill Short Course - Phil Moore Park (Bowling Green, KY)
Twisted Oliver Trail - Port Oliver Rec Area (Barren River Lake)
Highlander Trail - Barren River Lake (Austin, KY)
Gravel Rail Trail - Mammoth Cave NP
Big Hollow Trail - Mammoth Cave NP
Travel Venues (not an exhaustive list)
Buffalo Lake Trail - Elizabethtown, KY
Lock 4 Trail - Gallatin, TN
Cedar Hill Trail - Madison, TN
Grapevine Trail - Madisonville, KY
Rudy Mines Trail - Owensboro, KY
Most practices are held on trails in Bowling Green, KY to provide easy access to practice for rider supporters. We will occasionally add in trail systems up to 25 miles away during weekly practice and we will travel up to 1 1/2 hours away to visit trails for Saturday group rides.
The practice schedule is put together by our Head Coach and communicated to supporters before season begins. The schedule will be shared weekly and published on this website during the season. Weather and other factors may necessitate changing the practice venue.
What does practice look like?
Practices can be a mixture of the following:
- trail riding on singletrack
- endurance riding on gravel
- HIIT training on hills or skills training on rocks grass or trail features
- sessioning trail features to overcome skill gaps
- time-trails to gauge performance improvement on trail
The intent of practice is to teach your rider OTB (on the bike) skills that will help them with their fitness and in racing. Having fun, growing relationships and progressing in personal goals are always an intent of practice. We encourage our riders to continually identify and progress their goals throughout the season.
Coaches are the lifeblood of our team and we're always looking for more people who wish to fill this role. Coaches do not have to be pro riders. Honestly you don't even have to ride to be a coach (though it helps for some activities!). What we need first and foremost is people who love supporting kids. All your other experiences on the bike and off the bike are icing on the cake. Coaches have some required online training and a background check (fees are reimbursed by the team). To lead rides you must be a level 2 coach and have OTB skills training and you must be First Aid/CPR approved (class fees will be reimbursed). The Team Director or Head Coach will communicate a role you can fill in the team and you can share your schedule and how much time you can share. You can then be available during those communicated times to execute the head coach's training plan, have fun, bring excitement and support the team!
No matter what their age, riders do not need previous trail riding experience to join the team. Riders do need to know the basics of riding a bike however. We will review on-the-bike trail riding skills at the beginning of every season and have a quick review mid-season for late joiners. Our coaches teach your rider all they need to confidently ride singletrack mountain bike trails.
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