National Interscholastic Cycling Association (NICA)

National Interscholastic Cycling Association (NICA) offers events, racing, and team practice. Its other offerings include NICA Coach Education, NICA GRiT, Teen Trail Corps, NICA Adventure, and NICA League Development and Leadership.

Programs

• Events, Racing, & Team Practice — youth · Team practice is the foundation of NICA programming; interscholastic racing is one of NICA’s core activities.
• NICA GRiT — Girls Riding Together; focused effort to bring more girls and women into the cycling community.
• Teen Trail Corps — NICA student-athletes · Provides student-athletes the opportunity to serve and give time towards bike related advocacy activities.
• NICA Adventure — youth · Allows youth to experience the benefits of mountain biking, camaraderie, community, and the outdoors.

About the provider

NICA started in Berkeley, California, USA in 2009. It works through local teams, trained coaches, leagues, and events, and it welcomes parent volunteers and coaches. NICA also supports trail stewardship and bike-related advocacy activities. Its mission is to use mountain bikes as a tool to build strong minds, bodies, character, and community.

• NICA Coach Education — Provides coach training, curriculum development, membership support, and ongoing training to coaches and leagues.
• NICA League Development and Leadership — League membership provides training and ongoing support needed to set up and run a successful NICA league.

There are no selections and no sidelines—everyone rides and trains together in an inclusive, 'challenge by choice' supportive team environment. NICA states it does not push kids toward burnout or make them feel they have to chase elite performance to belong.

What families say

“Being on the NICA team has boosted [my son’s] confidence and given him so much joy. He loves to ride... Biking has been one of the best things we’ve ever done.” — NICA Parent

“NICA is, in my sweet little opinion, doing a big favor to the cycling industry, youth sports, and society at large... The program creates a space where lifelong cyclists are born, personal growth is fostered, and folks get to participate at the level that suits them. And it’s not just the student-athlete who benefits, it’s everyone involved from coaches to families. NICA connects people.” — Katie Sox, Oregon League Photographer & NICA Superfan

Last updated September 20, 2026.