Frequently Asked Questions

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 composite mountain bike team based in Bowling Green, KY.  We have riders from homeschool, private and public schools in Warren County and surrounding counties.

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.

• Full suspension bikes are nice but the trails we practice and race on do not require them.  A hardtail mountain bike is appropriate for XC racing
• We recommend disc brakes for their increased stopping power and simplicity
• We recommend a bike with 29" wheels but if you have a smaller rider a 26-27.5" wheel might be required
• Clipless pedals are recommended only for riders who have practiced with them
• Tubeless/tubeless ready tires/wheels are superior to tubed-tires.  We ride on rooty and rocky areas and if tubes aren't kept to an appropriate pressure they'll will constantly be needing repair and replacement
• 1x Drivetrain - many new bikes have a single chainring in the front.  This greatly reduces complexity in shifting and allows new riders to learn shifting much more easily.  We recommend 1x10 or 1x11 drivetrains.

Average Bike Cost

Walmart makes the Ozark Trail Ridge Mountain Bike.  We consider it trail worthy with many of the features listed above and it's upgradeable.  It is currently listed for $398 on Walmart's website.  Bikes from reputable manufacturers cost on average $600-$1200 for a trail-rated hardtail but can extend in the $2000-$5000 range.  Your rider does receive discounts on several bikes via their NICA registration.  You can ride and race without the weight saving features and technology of higher priced bikes on the singletrack our team rides on.  Don't let companies or riders convince you otherwise.

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.

• Level 1 coaches - support the head coaches riding plans, supports level 2 and 3 coaches, may ride with students on trail and provide support
• Level 2 coaches - in addition to level 1 requirements our level 2 coaches have First Aid/CPR training and can lead trail rides, level 2 coaches lead rides and directly coach riders
• Level 3 coaches - in addition to level 2 requirements our level 3 coaches have additional administrative training and are wilderness first-aid approved (NICA-specific).  Team Directors and Head Coaches must be level 3 coaches.  Level 3 coaches have a vested stake in the team, it's development and succession plans.

• A serviceable bike - if you have any questions regarding your bike we recommend taking it to Howards Cycling and Fitness or NAT's and having their repair technicians look at it.
• Closed-toed shoes need to be worn to practice (no flip flops, crocs, etc.).  We do not require clipless shoes/pedals or MTB flat riding shoes but if your rider is ready to wear them those are fine. 
• Helmets must be worn anytime their leg goes over their bike.  (We recommend MIPS approved, MTB style helmets) 
• Biking Lights will be required as the days get shorter (handle bar mounted or helmet mounted).  
• Water is required on hot days.  Water bottles in bottle cages on-the-bike or hydration packs are appropriate.  We bring extra water to practice usually but that may not be available and it's certainly not available when your rider will be 2-7 miles away from the trailhead.

League Fees (Due at Registration) - $155 (required for your rider to participate in our league as a registered rider.

Race Fees (Due one week before race or at registration (Season Pass) - There are 5 races and they are $45/each.  We have an annual adventure ride that is $25.  KICL has a season pass where if you pay up-front for all races and the adventure event it's $220.

Hollow Riders Team Fee (Due by July 30th) - The team fee for 2025 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).  

Potential Riders may practice one practice with the team but they must be registered in Pitzone by their 2nd practice.  

The full price with a season pass per rider for 2025 is $520

Regarding Costs... per ChatGPT

Traditional sports in local leagues may range from $200 to $600. For more competitive players, especially those involved in travel teams, costs can easily exceed $1,000 per year and may reach several thousand dollars when accounting for travel and tournaments.  

What am I getting with my fees?

• The KICL League experience!
• Team support and development
• NICA registration
• NICA insurance coverage
• KICL league registration
• GRiT, Teen Trail Corps, and Adventure programming
• Team rides and events with certified NICA coaches
• Professionally led coaching education and advancement and a top quality youth sports coaching curriculum and philosophy
• Long-term youth development programming through sport
• A professional, secure, and appropriate environment and experience for our participants
• Special offers from national and the league sponsors, including discounts on product and event registration

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!

Coach Fees

$30 League Fee

$11-$38 Background Check fee (variable depending on what year you're coaching)

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.

KICL is the Kentucky Interscholastic Cycling League, a registered member of NICA (the National Interscholastic Cycling League).  Formed in 2019, KICL has experienced explosive growth and facilitates coach development, coach education and hosts our state race series.

https://www.kentuckymtb.org