League Background

March 11, 2012

MN League Development Committee

Minnesota High School Cycling League Development Committee

Gary Sjoquist, Advocacy Director, QBPLibby Hurley, formerly Erik’s Bike

ShopMark Parr, Director Sec. Ed. Dist. 196Josh Kleve, Sales Exec. DKS SystemsMark Hartney, Specialized

MN High School Cycling League

www.minnesotamtb.org is the official MN High School Cycling League site

National Interscholastic Cycling Association (NICA) sanctioning body for high school mountain bike racing

Minnesota High School “Cycling” League – the hope is that students will start with mountain biking but expand to road, cyclocross, commuting, etc.

MN League/MNMBS/USA Cycling

Minnesota High School Cycling League sanctioned by NICA (governance, insurance, licensing of coaches)

MN League will be separate from the Minnesota Mountain Bike Series (MNMBS)

MN League will not be affiliated with USA Cycling

MN League exists as a non-profit (donations tax deductible)

MN League Updates

MN League timeline for 2012Kick Off Open House – March 11thLeaders Summit – April 21/22Teams Form – April/MayCamps – Summer 2012

Beginner/Intermediate CampsGirls CampDay Camps

Racing – Sept. through Oct, 2012

Typical Race Snapshot

Saturday:- Course set up 7 am to Noon- Pre-ride 1 to 4 pm- Camping available on site or nearby

Sunday:- Teams set up in Pit Zone- Racing starts at 10 am

- Girls Freshmen/Soph, Jr. Varsity/Varsity- Boys Freshmen/Soph, Jr. Varsity/Varsity

- Awards around 4 pm

Race Format

Courses are between 4 and 6-mile loops, mostly singletrack, with passing zones

Climbing 400 to 600 ft. per lapFr/So – 45 minutes to one hourJV/Varsity – up to 1:45

Not too technically challenging – more lapsUphill starts/finishFenced through start/finish, feed zone, pit area

Partially visible for spectators

Teams and Scoring

Students can race: - As independents - As part of a high school team - Composite team; racers from several schools

Teams with girls score more pointsEvery team member scores pointsAwards:- Individuals- Team scoring

Ways to Help with the MN League

Opportunities to help:

1. As a parent of a student athlete who wants to race on a team

2. As a volunteer at race events

3. As a MN League Manager

1. Helping as a Parent for a Team

1. Help students form a team at the high school

- Team Starter Kit info on web site (handouts)

- Teams exist as a “club” like Chess Club or Debate

2. Help by becoming a team volunteer organizer- Help communicate within team (meetings, practices, etc.)

- On race day, help with team logistics at event

3. Help by becoming a Ride Leader, Assistant Coach, or Head Coach for a team

- Attend Leaders Summit and gain license

- Minimum requirement is passing a background check

2. Helping as a Volunteer at Race Events

Variety of tasks take two or three hoursCan sign up in advance for specific taskHelping with registration, helping with parking, course set-up, feed zones, etc.

Ride Marshalls – follow last racer, sweepTiming and scoring helperTear down and clean-up

3. Helping as a MN League Manager

Managers a small band of really committed folks who agree to manage key tasks

Will get lodging expenses and stipend in return for a season-long commitment

Major commitment – often all day Sat/SunCan’t have the race without these tasksBasically making a statement – this league is important enough to get going that I’ll step up and do what it takes

MN League Key Manager Opportunities

Race Operations ManagerChief Course MarshallChief Score KeeperRegistration ManagerChief Course SetterVolunteer ManagerRace Photographer

Race Operations Manager

Site manager – goal to execute race day layout

Pit zone, feed zones, timing and scoring, uphill starts, fencing, start line structure, podium

Responsible for setting up course, tearing down everything after, and transport/storage of race kit

Will have team of assistants for both days

Chief Course Marshal

Responsible for integrity of race courseEstablishes marshal points along race routeTrains and oversees race marshalsMonitor marshals throughout racesLiaison with EMTs

Chief Score Keeper

Sunday only position

Set up timing areaSet up scoring laptopsTrain assistantsTrack racers’ lap timesAssemble and post results

Resolve scoring issues

Chief Registration Manager

Assemble and organize online registration from Pit Zone

Train and prepare assistants for race day reg

Hand out race numbers per category/genderTrack day of registrationPrepare starting wave lists prior to start times

Chief Course Setter

Saturday position

Responsible for laying out race courseSetting up fencing, stakes for arrows, feed zone, ribbons (used to block shortcuts)

Works with Operations Manager to ensure integrity of race course

Volunteer Manager

Coordinates MN League Volunteer NeedsTeam of assistants will help

Teams will also provide volunteersWalk-up volunteers need to be directed

Care and feeding of volunteers important

Meals, rotating shifts, right materials, acknowledgment, etc.

Race Photographer/Reporter

Great graphics a key to successResponsible for producing great photos for use in MN League promotional material

Also need someone who can complete timely race write-up per NICA guidelines

Leaders Summit

MN League Leaders Summit- April 20/21 at QBP- Agenda at www.minnesotamtb.org- Part of the coaching licensing process- One day option for Ride Leaders ($75)- Two Day option for Assistant and Head Coaches ($120)- Lodging available at Holiday Inn Bloomington- Fees include Saturday evening dinner at QBP’s Spokes Café for two

Stickers!