wakeyouthmountainbikinginc

KICK OFF EVENT

Fri, 04 Sep 2026 17:13:14 GMT

Kick Off Event Flyer

If you haven't seen our flyer on Facebook or Instagram...

Sunday FUN at Harris Lake

Fri, 04 Sep 2026 16:13:37 GMT

Aug 30th Sunday Ride

We had a great time Sunday riding with old friends and new! Student Athletes refreshed their skills on ready position, turns, and braking before dividing into ride groups. Our red group stayed on Hog Run, Harris Lake's green trail. The Yellow Group rode both Green and Intermediate loops. The remaining groups (Green, Blue, Yellow & Black) crossed over to the advanced trails with some getting 10 miles of riding in. Great job to everyone and we hope to see you soon!

Remember, our kick off event is September 26th. The heat index has been too hot to ride, but we are eyeing some cooler temps coming and can't wait to ride again.

email: triangleyouthcycling@gmail.com if you have any questions.

RIDE. GROW. LEAD.

Sunday FunDay Ride

Thu, 27 Aug 2026 18:47:14 GMT

Sunday FUNDay Ride at Harris- September 30th, 10 am - 12 pm

Join us for a Sunday FUN Day ride at Harris Lake! Our official launch is September 26th but as excitement for our team grows, we have some Coaches and Student Athletes ready to RIDE! To participate, you must be a member of the team or have signed the waiver. This practice will be a little more relaxed. If you have brand new riders who need more support, email wakeyouthmtb@gmail.com to see if this is the best start date for you. We will hold skills clinics and more formal practices to create riding groups in the near future.

Student Athlete Registration
https://register.teamsnap.com/form/5BIcgbzmZIqZLdW4yaJRh

Coach Registration
https://register.teamsnap.com/form/WZHMZI0U7RvV8SiJlPobP

Trial Registration and Waiver (2 weeks trial offer)
https://register.teamsnap.com/form/m6DM4cE4GRUuTx2DZxw9z

How NICA OTB 101 Training Elevates Youth Cycling

Sun, 16 Aug 2026 19:10:24 GMT

NICA OTB 101 training is a foundational course that teaches coaches how to instruct essential mountain bike skills like the ready position, braking, and shifting. By completing this training at Harris County Lake, our coaches ensure student athletes ride safely and efficiently while building confidence on technical trails.

What is NICA OTB 101 training for coaches?

NICA (National Interscholastic Cycling Association) offers the OTB 101, or "On the Bike," curriculum as a standardized way to train youth cycling leaders. As a volunteer-run team serving student athletes aged 7-18 in Wake County, having our coaches certified in these methods is vital. The training focuses on how to break down complex movements into simple, teachable steps that riders of all levels can understand.

Our team operates year-round, which means our coaches need to be prepared for various trail conditions. Whether we are practicing Mountain Biking on technical singletrack or exploring Gravel routes, the principles learned in OTB 101 remain the core of our instruction. This session at Harris County Lake provided a perfect classroom, offering natural obstacles and diverse terrain to practice coaching drills.

Essential Skills Mastered at Harris County Lake

The training session was hands-on and rigorous. Coaches spent 4 hours refining their ability to demonstrate and critique four primary skill areas that are fundamental to every student athlete's success on the trail:

Ready Position: The foundation of all riding, emphasizing a balanced stance that allows the bike to move independently of the rider.
Proper Braking: Teaching the use of both brakes simultaneously for controlled deceleration without skidding.
Efficient Climbing: Focus on body weight distribution and cadence to maintain traction on steep inclines.
Precision Shifting: Understanding gear selection to maintain momentum and reduce mechanical strain on the drivetrain.

By mastering these basics, our coaches can help athletes avoid common mistakes that lead to fatigue or injury. This level of preparation is what sets our News and program updates apart—we aren't just riding; we are building technically sound athletes.

How do these skills benefit student athletes?

For a student athlete, learning the right way to ride from the start is a game-changer. When a coach can clearly explain the "why" behind the ready position, the athlete gains a sense of control. This control leads to confidence, which is the most important factor in keeping kids engaged with the sport for the long term.

Our year-round practice schedule allows these lessons to sink in over time. By consistently reinforcing the OTB 101 techniques, we see a dramatic improvement in how our riders handle our local Trail Systems . Better braking means fewer crashes; better shifting means more energy for the final miles of a long ride. It transforms a difficult climb into an achievable challenge.

Why professional training matters for volunteer teams

Even though we are a volunteer-run organization, we hold ourselves to a professional standard. Continuous education ensures that we are providing the safest environment possible for our 7-18-year-old riders. NICA OTB 101 is more than just a skills clinic; it is a pedagogical framework. It teaches us how to communicate, how to organize a practice, and how to keep the fun in functional training.

Parents can feel confident knowing that when they complete the Registration process, their child is being mentored by someone who understands the science of cycling. You can learn more About our philosophy and commitment to safety by visiting our dedicated pages. We believe that by investing in our coaches, we are directly investing in the growth and happiness of our athletes.

OTBS101- at Harris Aug 16th

Thu, 06 Aug 2026 20:44:15 GMT

OTBS101 at Harris - Aug 16

Hi coaches! OTBS101 is required to move up to level 2 and 3 coaching status. You only need to take it once.

There will be an OTBS101 class held at Harris Lake park on August 16. Here is the link to sign up.

https://www.zeffy.com/en-US/ticketing/otb-101-harris-lake-aug--16

The league director says that there will be 10-12 other OTBS101 sessions throughout the season, but I wanted to give you a heads up about a nearby opportunity.

We highly encourage coaches to level up so we can have as many ride leaders as possible!

Elise

Concussion Screening- Aug 20th

Thu, 06 Aug 2026 20:43:10 GMT

Concussion Baseline Testing

I hope everyone is having a great summer.

The team is coordinating concussion prescreening with Carolina Sports Concussion Clinic for Student Athletes and Coaches who want a baseline test. The goal of baseline testing is to establish a valid set of scores to be used in the case of an injury.

If you are interested, please click on the link below for details and to select the date that works for you.

https://forms.gle/PN3VnAGUTe9DUkWb7

Thanks,

Anne Hensley

Rattlesnake Skills Training- Join us!

Thu, 06 Aug 2026 20:40:50 GMT

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Register NOW Rattlesnake Training!!!!!!!!!!!!!! NON NICA

Good morning,

If you are planning to attend the Rattlesnake Bike Park Skills Weekend July 18th and 19th, please register as soon as possible.

There are only 32 total spots available, and many have already been filled. We are opening registration to the public today, so any remaining spots may go quickly.

This is a great opportunity for our riders to build confidence, improve skills, and spend a fun weekend riding together with professional instruction from CLT MTB coaches. The weekend will include skills development, bike park riding, and focused coaching to help riders continue progressing in a safe and structured environment.

More information and registration can be found here:
https://www.cltmtb.com/clinic-registration/swth-skills-weekend-07-18-19-26

Please do not wait if your rider plans to attend.

Let’s ride!

Coach Joshua Rockwood