NICA: Mountain Biking for CHS Students
By Katarina Black, Staff Writer
Pedaling hard up a steep hill, changing gears in preparation for the downhill, and sending it. NICA, a youth mountain biking team right here in Cody, Wyoming. More specifically, the Cody NICA team is known as the Speedgoats. The acronym NICA stands for National Interscholastic Cycling Association. NICA is a program for youth in grades 6-12. The team consists of around 27 riders, 12 of whom are high schoolers.
Although it is somewhat unheard of, this unique program is spread out in 30 states in the country, and the season is primarily in the fall. Riders from Cody will travel around Montana every few weekends to compete in races. The NICA riders rely on their supportive coaches. NICA coaches are experienced, knowledgeable, and want the best for the riders. This includes various aspects, such as coaching skill days, bonding with the kids, and ensuring their safety.
This 2025 fall season is in full swing. Olivia Goldbach, a freshman at Cody High School, is most excited for the races this season, especially the one taking place in Missoula. These races contain teams from all over Montana, along with a few outside teams, such as Cody.
Olivia Goldbach Rides down a technical rock section on the trail.
Although races sound thrilling, as well as fun and exciting, there is a big downside to them. Connor Bertalot, a senior at CHS, says the worst part is “the distance, having to go nine hours for a race and then immediately hopping out of a vehicle to race.” The closest race is three-and-a-half hours away. This makes it challenging for many riders to race, especially since the majority of them travel individually rather than as a full team.
The riders interviewed say they started the club because they knew it would be fun. Goldbach stated, “My favorite part of the sport is becoming stronger and seeing how many girls want to do it.” Matt Wenke, also a freshman at CHS, claims his favorite part is “being able to go downhill at fast speeds.”
The coaches prioritize teaching the riders, letting them have fun, and keeping them safe. A rule is if one leg is over the bike, a helmet is mandatory. Coaches look out for injuries, such as concussions, and decide if riders need to take a break. Part of the rules include no jumping, but instead of becoming mad about that, riders take the opportunity to improve their bike skills by learning how to ride over jumps while keeping the bike tires on the ground.
Apart from races, Bertalot’s favorite aspect of the sport is “the freedom it gives you from reality and the feeling of after you get done riding like that, but you also feel really good about yourself afterward.” Riders accomplish more than they know they are capable of. Bertalot hopes to win the state championship this 2025 season, especially since it will be his last.
NICA race levels include many JV levels leading up to Varsity. JV4 includes one lap of racing. Being a freshman in high school automatically means two laps. As riders increase in speed and age, they move up through JV3 (one lap), JV2 (two laps), and JV1 (three laps). The most elite riders will participate in the varsity race, which includes 4 laps of racing, or as far as they can go within 90 minutes. After the 90-minute mark, riders will be drawn from the race. One lap is around five miles or fewer, depending on elevation, obstacles, or weather. Many of the coaches on the team are also parents of the riders.
The cycling community in Cody has many opportunities for youth to increase in strength. NICA riders pre-train for the fall season by participating in the Park County Youth Cycling club. This club increases their mileage as well as helping to build endurance. As riders become older and faster, they move up in race length.
NICA is a cycling program for some of the students at CHS. It is fun, as well as competitive, and it includes a perfect ratio of safety. With great coaches, along with skilled riders, the NICA club in Cody is thriving. Riders have amazing opportunities to become stronger and improve their riding skills, as well as learning to become better competitors.