🔥 Greetings, MICL! 🔥
We can’t wait to kick-off registration and coach training in just a few weeks. The league staff and your team leaders have been working hard to make 2027 even better and more FUN than last year.
If you are new to the MICL, WELCOME and we are so glad to have you join us for season 7! 🚵
– Chris and Annie, MICL Co-directors
📅 save the dates
Registration
March 1st: Team and Coach Registration
April 1st: Student Athlete Registration
Coach retreats
April 19th: GRiT Coach Retreat (Columbia, MO)
May 15th-17th: Coach and Leadership Retreat (Steelville, MO)
2026 Season
July 1st: Team practices begin
August 29th-30th: MICL Event #1
September 12th-13th: MICL Event #2
September 26th-27th: MICL Event #3
October 10th-11th: MICL Event #4 (updated)
October 24th-25th: MICL Event #5
November 7th-8th: NICA Central Regional Festival (Fayetteville, AR)
🎉 EVENT LOCATION announcement coming March 15th!
Registration information
When do I register?
March 1st, 2026 Team and Coach Registration begins
April 1st, 2026 Student Athlete Registration begins
FAQ:
I’m new here, may I try it first?
Adults and students may sample ONE pre-season event or team practice by signing the NICA one-event waiver. Contact your local team for details and to find an event near you.
How much does it cost?
The 2026 student athlete registration fee is $375. This flat fee covers team practices from July through October and all five MICL event weekends. Check out the registration page for more information.
The 2026 coach registration cost is $73 for year 1 and year 7 coaches (includes a full background check) and $46 for all other returning coaches (includes a partial background check). Full coaching information may be found HERE.
Need-based financial assistance is available.
How do I register?
If you are a returning coach or student athlete, once your team is registered, you may log into your Pit Zone account and begin 2026 season registration. If you are a new coach or student athlete, you will receive an email invitation to register from your coach. Need an invitation? Contact your team!
Pit Zone problems?
Check out NICA’s Pit Zone FAQ’s.
TREK Pathfinder scholarships
Trek has partnered with the National Interscholastic Cycling Association (NICA) to grow diversity in the sport of cycling and provide better access for people of color (POC). The Trek NICA Pathfinders Scholarship will again provide selected student-athletes with a Trek Marlin mountain bike, helmet, shoes, accessories, as well as a stipend for NICA league and entry fees for the season.
📝 Applications accepted February 15th through March 29th.
Bring your bike to college!
🎓 Attention SENIORS! Have you wondered what it might be like to take your bike to college? Or if you should bring your bike to college? The answer to the second question is definitely YES!
👀 Check out this webinar hosted by the Florida league to learn about the options available to you to continue riding and/or racing your bike while attending a US college or university.
🚵♀️ Pro tip: sleep in and get to class faster! 🪽
Protect our trails
Freeze Thaw conditions
and a review of the NICA code of conduct
NICA riders know that riding muddy trails is a no-go!
Freeze-thaw conditions are a special case of muddy conditions common to MO trails throughout the winter. Here is why freeze-thaw cycles present significant risks to both the trails and mountain bike riders:
Be Responsible:
When water seeps into the soil and freezes, it expands, disrupting the packed trail tread and creating uneven surfaces. As temperatures rise and the ice thaws, the soil becomes softer and more susceptible to erosion. Melt water on top of the frozen deeper layers of soil is unable to drain. Mountain bike tires, plus the weight of riders, can exacerbate these conditions, leading to ruts and widened paths. Riding during these cycles accelerates erosion and damages the trail, necessitating costly repairs and diminishing the overall quality of the riding experience for everyone.
Be Safe:
Riding on trails affected by freeze-thaw cycles also poses significant safety risks. Unstable surfaces, hidden pockets of mud, and softened terrain increase the likelihood of accidents and injuries. The unpredictable nature of these conditions makes it challenging for riders to anticipate the trail’s stability, potentially resulting in falls, collisions, or damage to bikes and equipment.
Be Respectful:
Repeated riding on trails during freeze-thaw cycles perpetuates a long-term cycle of degradation. The more damage inflicted during these vulnerable periods, the longer it takes for trails to recover. Even small ruts can disrupt the natural drainage patterns and enhance erosion. Repairing damaged trail requires extensive restoration efforts, which consume many volunteer hours.
What Should Mountain Bikers Do?
🫡 Respect Trail Closures: Trail managers often close trails during freeze-thaw cycles to protect them. Respect these closures and refrain from riding until the trails have dried and stabilized.
🔊 Spread Awareness: Educate your teammates and fellow riders about the impact of freeze-thaw cycles on trails and the importance of preserving them. Encourage responsible riding practices and advocate for trail maintenance and conservation efforts. Hug a Trail Builder!
👟 Try An Alternative Activity: Instead of riding on vulnerable trails, consider trying another outdoor activity such as hiking, running, or road biking during these periods. Need to ride your mountain bike? It’s a great time to check out the numerous asphalt or gravel multi-use trails in MO.
❄️ Ride FROZEN Trails: If you really want to ride, check the forecast and fit in your ride first thing in the morning before the temperature rises above freezing. Make sure to dress like an onion in plenty of warm layers. If you come across a puddle, ride through the middle to avoid widening the trail tread.
Let’s all prioritize trail preservation and responsible riding practices this winter. This will ensure that our trails are ready for maximum enjoyment when the nice weather returns!
‼️ Don’t forget to log your Teen Trail Corps trail service hours when Pit Zone re-opens in March of 2026!
