We’re thrilled to see another season of NICA races across the country off to a strong start! Texas, NorCal and SoCal Leagues kicked-off the NICA spring season with record-setting numbers of student-athletes participating. Earlier this month, we were excited to see the Nevada League’s Southern Region begin its inaugural season at Spicer Ranch while the North Carolina League hosted its first adventure day at Brumley Nature Preserve; 2019 is looking to be another great year for getting #morekidsonbikes!
NICA extends our sincere appreciation and gratitude to Vance and Brandi McMurray, who are stepping down after directing the Texas League for the past eight years. Vance and Brandi were instrumental in bringing interscholastic cycling to Texas and they will be greatly missed.
Last week, my colleagues and I attended Frostbike held at Quality Bike Products’ (QBP) headquarters in frozen Bloomington, Minnesota. It was great to connect with Minnesota League NICA student-athletes and licensed coaches and hear first-hand how NICA is impacting their lives on and off the bike. During this past fall season, two Minnesota student-athletes, Chihiro Gustafson and Ian Hase set up a mountain bike race during halftime at a school football game - you can watch the race HERE!
Thank you to Seth Nesselhuf, QBP’s Director of Community and Sustainability for organizing the annual FrostBike auction, which benefited NICA. Likewise, a sincere thank you to all the great bike companies who donated to the auction and to all who bid and purchased items! Act quickly as we’re auctioning on eBay a very special Ritchey Commando bicycle frame/fork hand-built by Tom Ritchey himself and a super nice DT Swiss wheel-set and bidding closes a week from now.
Please enjoy this month’s newsletter and continue to ride!
With gratitude,
Austin