Who can be on the Davis High Mountain Bike Team?

  • The team includes High School riders (incoming Davis High 9th -12th graders) and Jr. Devo riders (incoming 7th and 8th graders who are in the boundaries to attend Davis High School).

 

When are the races?

  • The races give the student athletes an opportunity to push themselves in a competitive and safe atmosphere. Everyone participates in a race category suited to their skill.

In 2024 the scheduled race dates are:

  • August 17th Soldier Hollow
  • August 31st Manti
  • September 14th Mantua
  • September 28th (9th – 12th graders only) Beaver City (Southern Utah)
  • October 18-19 State Championship (9th – 12th graders only) Three Peaks Cedar City
  • Some race venues are a few hours away. For those races, accommodations will need to be arranged for somewhere to stay the night before the race.

 

Does the entire team practice together?

  • The Davis High Mountain Bike Team is divided into a few categories (known as CATS) for practice groups. These CATS are based on individual riding experience, fitness, and skill level. Riders will complete a time trial or race and then CAT coaches will determine the placements and make changes as needed.

 

How often are practices and when do they occur?

  • The season runs from May to October. Practices typically occur three times a week with two weekday practices and a Saturday morning practice.
  • Weekday practices occur either early in the morning or in the evening.
  • Saturday morning practices usually involve meeting as early as 6:00 am.
  • Practice days/times are determined by CAT coaches. Each CAT could have different practice schedules.
  • Practice ride duration is 1 hour to 3 hours plus drive time.
  • Parents are responsible for driving their student athlete to the practices or arranging their own carpool.
  • Student athletes are also strongly encouraged to practice outside of the team.

 

How many practices do I need to attend?

  • Riders should plan to attend most practices to prepare for races. Developing fitness and riding skills dramatically improves safety and enjoyment at both the practices and races. Riders who miss practice should plan to ride on their own to maintain fitness. Riders who do not regularly attend practice with their category tend to fall behind their peers and may have to be moved to another category.

 

 

Where do practices take place?

  • The weekday practices tend to be closer to home with common trails including Fruit Loops, Kaysville East Wilderness Park, Shoreline, Farmington Canyon, Wild Rose, and Snowbasin. Saturday rides typically involve driving further to explore other trails such as Park City, Corner Canyon, North Fork, etc.

 

What kind of bike do I need?

  • There is a huge range of bikes that riders on the team have. We recommend working with our sponsor Bikers Edge to find proper fit and setup.
  • New entry level bikes start in the $1,000-$2000 range.

 

What does it cost to be on the team and when is registration?

  • Registration for students is in April.
  • The Davis High Mountain Bike Team has a TEAM FEE as well as a NICA LEAGUE FEE.
  • For each sponsor donation that a student gets for the Davis High Mountain Bike Team, half of that money will go toward the student’s team fee.
  • Additional team clothing can be purchased if desired including t-shirts for family members, sweatshirts, and jackets.

 

What else do I need to have in addition to a bike?

  • Helmet, water bottle or water hydration pack, closed toe shoes, sunglasses, and a bike repair kit.

 

How involved are parents of the team riders?

  • The team is successful because of parent volunteers. Parents NEED to be involved! Parents are required to get their child to and from practices and races, volunteer at races, check emails and TeamSnap for details about races, etc.
  • Parents can ride with the team if they become a NICA Registered Coach. This involves registering with NICA Pitzone, a background check, and completing training on things such as first-aid, abuse, risk management, student-athlete coaching, and on the bike training. No adults can ride with the team unless they have their NICA Coach License. Coach License details are: https://www.nationalmtb.org/coaches-license-program/
  • There are also many other volunteer opportunities including helping with uniforms and clothing, team parties or events, race day setup, race day cleanup, race day food, race day course volunteering, driving riders and bikes to and from practices, etc. Emails will be sent as needed to request volunteers.

 

 

The Davis High Mountain Bike Team has a website (dhsmtb.com) with more information (which should be updated for this year’s season soon) and a private Facebook page that you can request to join (Davis High Mountain Bike Team).