Ride

Who can participate?

Participation is open to girls and boys in grades 6th – 12th who attend Borah High School and any of the junior highs or elementary schools that feed into Borah: South, West, Amity, Grace Jordan, Hawthorne, Hillcrest, Jefferson, Maple Grove, Monroe, Owyhee, and Whitney.

What equipment or gear is required to participate?

Team members need a bike, a helmet, appropriate clothing, and a water bottle or hydration pack. Gloves, pads, and eyewear are not required. If you do not have a bike, the Borah team may be able to provide one to you for the season. Please contact the Team Director with questions at borahmountainbiketeam@gmail.com.

Are there participation fees?

Membership Fee (required); all student-athletes $160.00 (IICL) + $40.00 (NICA) + $50.00 (BMBT)

Students cannot participate in any league-sanctioned events (including team practices) without first registering with the Idaho Interscholastic Cycling League (IICL) and paying the non-refundable membership fee. Fees for races, camps and other league events are paid separately.  IICL and NICA fees (along with race fees) are collected in PitZone registration process.  An invite will be sent to you once the Interest Form is submitted.

BMBT fee is a team fee that covers the basic costs for the BMBT to participate and enables team to become a bit less reliant on fundraising.   These costs include team registrations, jersey's, maintenance for our trailer and pitzone gear, as well as the miscellaneous fees to manage the team (i.e. website, TeamSnap, etc.).  Team shirt will also be covered with this fee.  Please send check payable to Borah Mountain Bike Team to Team Director (working on an online method). 

Race Fees (required, if student wants to race); purchase a race season pass or purchase individual races

Students must pay to participate in races. Season Pass (optional): High School: $150.00 / Middle School: $125.00

Season Passes will be available in July and cover registration fees for 5 races.  Purchasing a Season Pass rather than paying for individual races will save you $125 to $150.

​Individual Race Registration is available after July (optional): $50 per race – ONLY REQUIRED IF SEASON PASS WAS NOT PURCHASED

After season pass sales end, individual race entry fees will be available for the remainder of the season. Individual race fees can be purchased from August to October and subject to individual race registration deadlines. Online registration closes the Monday prior to each race at midnight. There is NO ONSITE registration at the races!!!

Other Fees

Other possible costs include your bike maintenance, appropriate bike clothing, and travel expenses for race weekends.

Is there financial assistance available to help with costs?

Yes, there are scholarships available through our league for registration and race fees. Please contact the Team Director if you would like more information, at borahmountainbiketeam@gmail.com.

When does the practice season start?

The season officially starts on July 1 each year. Our first practice will be after the Fourth of July. Our last practice will be the first week of October 2023. Here is our "borahmountainbiketeam" Google Calendar.

How many days per week does the team practice? 

We practice three (3) days per week until school starts in August. After that, we limit practices to two (2) days per week. We do not practice on weekends, and we try to schedule practices early in the morning (before school starts) or later in the evening to avoid the heat.

How long do practices last and where are they located?

Practices typically last about two (2) hours. We practice at different locations in the Boise area like Military Reserve, Camel’s Back Park, Harrison Hollow, or the Polecat Gulch Reserve.

​What equipment or gear is required for practices?

Team members need a bike, a helmet, appropriate clothing, and a water bottle or hydration pack. Gloves, pads, and eyewear are not required. You may also want to consider having sunscreen, spare tube, tire pump, tire levers, and multi-tool. 

​Can parents ride with the team during practice?

Yes, we welcome parent riders and greatly appreciate the support of parents during practices! With multiple practice days and time, plus a growing number of riders, we are always looking for parents to help coaches lead practice rides.

Parents must receive a Level 1 Certification through the NICA Coach Licensing Program to ride with the team during practices. The certification process is simple and requires a background check and concussion training as well as watching a few instructional videos followed by a short quiz. Parents are responsible for the registration and background check fees. Contact the Team Director, at borahmountainbiketeam@gmail for information about coach scholarships.

How long is the race season?

The first race is typically held in late August. The last race, and State Championship, is typically held in early October at Bogus Basin. See our team calendar for all races.

How many races are there and where are they located?

The league hosts six (6) races. The Borah Mountain Bike Team will participate in the five (5) races listed below. Visit the League's Race Series webpage for more information about individual race dates and locations.

• Race 1: Brundage Mountain on August 17, 2024

• Race 2: Magic Mountain on August 24, 2024

• Race 3: Soldier on September 21, 2024

• Race 4: Jug Mountain on September 28, 2024

• Race 5: (State Championship) Bogus Basin on October 5, 2024

How do team members register and pay for races?

There is no onsite registration, and you must register for races through the Pit Zone. After the July  deadline to purchase a Season Pass closes, individual race entry fees can still be paid for the remainder of the season. Online registration closes the Monday prior to each race at midnight.

Do team members have to race?

No. There is no requirement to race and no pressure from the team to race. However, we do find that most team members – even those who thought they weren’t interested in racing – end up racing and love it!

Who do team members race against?

For the most part, other riders in the same grade and of the same sex. Grades 6th through 9th race against other kids in the same grade (6th graders against 6th graders, etc.). Grades 10th through 12th are placed into categories based on their abilities (Varsity, JV1, and JV2).

How long is each race?

Races vary in length depending on the age and category placement of the rider. A typical lap is 4 to 6 miles and 600 to 800 vertical feet. Grades 6th through 8th ride one (1) lap while Varsity boys ride four (4) laps. Races are from 1 lap (grades 6, 7 & 8) to 4 laps (varsity boys), depending on rider placement. Riders are typically organized in four (4) waves featuring a total of at least 17 races.

Does attending races take the entire weekend?

In some instances, yes. Out-of-town travel is required for all races except Bogus Basin. There are Pre-Ride opportunities the Friday before race day and pre-race warmups can start as early as 6 am on Saturday morning. Races and award ceremonies happen throughout the Saturday race day, usually culminating around 4pm.

What is the Pre-Ride?

The Pre-Ride is a regularly scheduled practice ride on the course that takes place on the same weekend as the race. Pre-rides take place at designated times Friday afternoon and evening as well as early Saturday morning before races start. Riders must have their number plates attached to their bikes for the Pre-Ride.

Do team members need to leave school early on Friday for race weekends?

We leave that decision up to individual team members and their families. Although pre-riding the course is an important component to safety, familiarity, and comfort on race day, team members have the option to pre-ride the course early Saturday morning.

Does the team provide travel to team members for race weekends?

No, the team does not provide travel nor does the team travel together. However, the team does provide travel information ahead of race weekends. If needed, we encourage team members and families to coordinate carpooling.

Does the team organize lodging accommodations and meals for race weekends?

Race weekends are an opportunity for riders and their families to camp as a team. Our coaches arrive early to each race location to secure a campsite(s). Team members or families who do not wish to camp are responsible for arranging their own lodging. People bring their own meals. 

Is mountain biking dangerous?

Every sport has the potential for injuries. When youth are properly taught how to ride a mountain bike, injuries are rare and usually minor. Our coaches are trained not only in coaching biking fundamentals, but also in Wilderness First Aid, CPR, and concussion management so they know how to recognize and deal with injuries should one occur. If an injury were to occur at practice or in a race, the league provides supplemental insurance to cover any costs not covered by primary insurance.

For specific information about concussions, please visit the league's IICL Concussion Protocol webpage.

How do I learn how to ride trails safely?

All riders will learn proper bike handling skills, the fundamentals of safely riding a bike before we head to the trails, bike path etiquette, and NICA conduct and safety standards for race days. The NICA Parent Guide: Riding Tips for New Riders is a great resource for those new to the sport.