+ Who can join?

GVMTB is coed and is open to all students going from 6th through 12th grade. Students who completed 5th grade can join the team during the summer before 6th grade. Our team is for Great Valley students, students in the Great Valley school district (both public and private) who attend other schools, and students from nearby districts that don’t have teams. If you’re not sure whether you should ride for our team, just ask!

+ Do I need to know how to mountain bike already?

No. Riders will need to know how to ride a bike and maintain balance on uneven surfaces (such as grass), but no mountain-biking-specific skills are required to join. We group riders by their experience and fitness levels. Whether they are brand new to MTB or they are competitive riders with significant expertise, they’ll be riding with a group of their peers.

+ Will the bike I have work?

The best way to answer this question is to bring your bike to our bike check event before the season starts. If you are considering buying a new bike, we highly recommend you speak with our coaching staff before doing so. We can help you get the right bike, whatever your budget. The minimum requirements are…

• Tires that are at least 2" wide.
• Tires must have knobs.
• Wheels must generally be 26”–29” in diameter, though exceptions can be made with league approval if a rider is unable to ride these wheel sizes.
• Brakes must have significant stopping power (disc brakes are not required, but highly recommended).
• Bikes must have gears (no single speed bikes).

+ Okay, but should I buy a new bike? And what does that cost?

Some bikes will meet the minimum requirements, but still will not provide a great riding experience. Our coaching staff can help you determine if that’s likely to be the case with your bike. If you do decide to purchase a new bike, you can expect to spend around $500 on an entry level mountain bike, $1k–$2k on an intermediate level bike, and $3k or more on a higher end performance mountain bike. Once riders are certain that mountain biking will be part of their life, it’s common to invest in an intermediate or higher end mountain bike, but there is certainly no need to do that on day one.

+ What other equipment do I need to join?

For the first week of practice, all you need is a bike that meets the requirements above, a NICA-approved helmet (details on the gear list under the resources section of our website), and a way to stay hydrated. The gear list includes a few other pieces of equipment that we’ll eventually require, and examples of optional equipment, but this is all you need to start. Mountain biking offers lots of opportunities to buy gear. If you’re not sure what other apparel and equipment you need, it’s a good idea to wait until you have been to a few practices and have a chance to see what other riders find helpful.

+ What does it cost to be part of the team?

Total Dues for the season can range from $320-$420

• $100 for GVMTB team dues paid to GVMTB by Venmo or check. This helps cover team expenses and includes a team jersey.
• $220 for NICA and PICL registration dues. This fee is paid through Pitzone and covers the $40 NICA membership fee, $25 for insurance and related processing fees, and $155 for races, local dirts, and all that goes into building our league here in PA.
• OPTIONAL: Additional race fees include $100 PICL "All in" covers all PICL events or $45 per event for individual events.
• Optional hotel costs - Most families find that a hotel stay is necessary for 3 of the races.

+ What are races like? And do all riders have to race?

Racing is not mandatory, but we encourage all riders to try it before they decide it’s not for them. Most will be hooked. It’s an electric environment that provides an excellent opportunity to bond with team mates, and provides riders with a strong sense of accomplishment. Traditionally NICA has used a mass start where riders will lineup in the starting corral with other racers of similar age and ability (anywhere from 5 - 70 other racers). Courses include single track in the woods, stream crossings, open grass, and small obstacles like rocks and logs. If that sounds intimidating don’t worry, courses are designed to be rideable for even the newest riders and our coaches can help ensure riders are race-ready. The lead pack in each race will be a competitive group, but there will be many riders who simply aim to finish—and that’s okay too. For away races, GVMTB coordinates a team dinner at a local restaurant on the night before the race.

+ When are practices?

We hold two practices during the week generally from 5–8pm, and one on the weekend from 9am–12pm. Practices start at the beginning of July and run through the end of the season in late October to early November.

+ Who are the coaches?

• Team Head Coach - Scott Olmsted (2023)
• Team Director - Scott Snyder
• Red white and blue head coaches - We divide our team into red (beginner), white (intermediate), and blue (advanced) riding groups. Each group has two head coaches who are also experienced riders and racers.
• Additional coaching staff - Beyond the head coaches there are approximately 10 additional coaches. Almost all have extensive MTB experience, though a few are newer to mountain biking.

+ Why are there so many coaches, and what does it take to be a coach?

• GVMTB encourages parents who are interested in MTB to become ride leaders. Mountain biking is a unique sport and having a higher adult-to-athlete ratio is really helpful during large group rides.
• All coaches must obtain a background check and standard Pennsylvania clearances, and complete training on concussions and risk management. Many of our coaches have obtained NICA level 2 and 3 certifications which include additional risk management training, on-the-bike training, Wilderness First Aid certification, CPR certification, continuing education requirements, and field work requirements.

+ When will we start?

We plan to start practices in July. You’ll see events start to be added to our schedule in Team Snap.

+ What will our practice schedule look like at a high level?

This year we will hold three practices per week with two on weekday evenings and one on the weekend. Practice locations will be a variety of trail rides at nearby locations (ex. Harmony Hill, Marsh Creek, Brandywine, White Clay, Fair Hill) and some skills work at the grove (Brightside Park).

+ What are the practice start and stop times for each group?

• During the week: Depending on the amount of daylight available, start times may range from 5 to 6 pm. As we get later in the season, riders are encouraged to have lights to allow for riding at dusk. Details for each specific practice are called out in Team Snap

+ What are the expectations of parents this season?

First, please reinforce the importance of the above rules with your child. Second, please use TeamSnap to report your intentions for attending ANY and ALL practices, so we know if we will have enough staffing to run practice safely and effectively. Third, please be as prompt as possible with pickup and drop off times so that our staggered starts and finishes are effective.

+ What are the expectations of riders this season?

Know the rules above and be diligent about adhering to them. We’ll remind riders as needed but would prefer not to have to be the bad guys. Riders that need lots of reminders may not be allowed to practice.