Coach-specific Pre-Season Info
Hello Driftless MTB Coaches! The start of the season is right around the corner, so it's about time to kick things into high gear. Some of you may be new to our list since you just registered or joined - if so, welcome! We are so glad you’re here.
Here’s an overview of what’s included in this round-up of PRE-SEASON COACH INFO:
TIME-SENSITIVE: Order your coach t-shirt!
Coach Attendance
Mark your calendar - coach “practice” and training rides
Coach trail rides (get to know the trail systems)
Coach licensing reminders
Kits (yes, coaches can order kits!)
Calendar reminders
Helpful links
TIME SENSITIVE: ACTION REQUIRED! SHIRT ORDER
First things first - we have a SUPER QUICK request for you: We need your practice shirt size!
Please fill out this form to let us know your size. The deadline for shirt sizes is end-of-day on THURSDAY 6/15. After that date, we will no longer be able to add to our order, and you will not receive a shirt. That would be sad! Please fill out the quick & easy form prior to 6/15.
There are also a couple of prompts on the form that ask about questions/curiosities you have about coaching, the season, and general scenarios you're not entirely certain how to handle. We'd like to address these questions as part of our Coach Skills Training sessions (more on that below.) Your input on those last couple of questions is also much appreciated!
COACH ATTENDANCE
We've had folks ask about what's expected of coaches regarding attendance. We absolutely understand we're all 100% volunteer-run and that you lead busy lives outside of MTB! With that said, we need to be certain that we have the necessary NICA coach to student-athlete ratios at each practice. To do so, we'll be requesting that you indicate your availability (via TeamSnap once available) for every practice as far ahead as possible, but at least two weeks ahead at the minimum. Whether you're available or not, we simply need to know so we can plan accordingly! This is true for all coaches, but especially for Level 2 & 3 Coaches, as they are our ride leaders. We will also ask Level 2 & 3 coaches to please call/text the head coach for your team if you've indicated you'll be at practice, but you have a last-minute change of plans and are unable to make it, or will be late. This is to ensure we have the required coach to student-athlete ratios. We appreciate your assistance with this communication!
COACH TRAINING SESSIONS
Our head coach team has put together a three-night series of coach training sessions. We are asking that all coaches plan to attend at lease one of these sessions! Please mark your calendars. They will be fun/informative and a great way to feel prepared for the season!
June 20: Cross Plains Trails (meet at Park Elementary School) - Body Positioning
June 21: CXC/Middleton Bike Park - Bike Body Separation
June 22: Blackhawk Ski Club West Chalet - Braking and Cornering
All Nights 5:30-7:00 (later if you want to hang out and ride)
COACH-ONLY TRAIL RIDES (in conjunction with Madison West)
Join some fellow NICA coaches to preview the local trail systems. We encourage you to go ride at a trail system that is unfamiliar to you, so you can get the “lay of the land!” Recall these are optional rides to help you preview/learn some of the trails in our area. These are meant to be coach-only rides, no student-athletes, please.
FIRST RIDE: Choose between SEMINOLE TRAILS or BLACKHAWK SKI CLUB on Thursday, June 15 from 6-8 p.m.
For Seminole, meet at Dawley Conservancy - LINK FOR DIRECTIONS
For Blackhawk Ski Club, meet at the WEST Chalet - LINK FOR DIRECTIONS
SECOND RIDE: Choose between QUARRY RIDGE or CROSS PLAINS/DRIFTLESS DOWNS on Thursday, June 29
For Quarry Ridge, meet at the Quarry Ridge Trailhead - LINK FOR DIRECTIONS
For Cross Plains/Driftless Downs, meet at Park Elementary School (in the grassy field behind the school, to the south of the softball diamonds) - LINK FOR DIRECTIONS
THIRD RIDE: At BLUE MOUND STATE PARK on Sunday, July 16; meet at the MTB trailhead to ride from 9-11 a.m. - LINK FOR DIRECTIONS
FOURTH RIDE: At CAMROCK COUNTY PARK on Sunday, July 30; meet at CamRock Park area 2 to ride from 9-11 a.m. - LINK FOR DIRECTIONS
COACH LICENSING
Please check Pit Zone to make sure you're up-to-date on everything required for your coach licensure. Coaches are only allowed to coach when everything is up-to-date (green check marks = good!) For those of you looking to level up, now is the perfect time!
KITS
The first round of kit orders has been submitted and will ship the last week of June. The deadline for the second round of KIT ordering is July 16. After that time, kits will no longer be available to order.
ADVENTURE RIDES!
JULY
Marquette Adventure Camp: 7/14-7/16. Sign up here. Fill out the form and when you get to the payment part it will open a new window. You need to make the payment and then go back to the original form and click submit for everything to be completed.
AUGUST
Camrock Adventure Ride: 8/11-8/13. Sign up in Pitzone.
SEPTEMBER
Adventure ride at the first League Event Weekend (9/2 - 9/4) at Telemark! Pre-registration is not required for this adventure ride, but in order to have somewhat accurate counts of attendees, please fill out this form.
ADDITIONAL UPCOMING EVENTS/DATES
Friday 6/23 -- Driftless FUN RIDE @ Quisling Park (5-8pm)
Wednesday 6/28 -- BIKE RODEO #1 @ Blackhawk (5-7pm) -- please attend either this Bike Rodeo or the next on 7/9
Thursday 7/6 -- NEW Rider/Family 1st Practice @ Blackhawk (6-8pm)
Sunday 7/9 -- BIKE RODEO #2 @ CXC (5-7pm)
Tuesday 7/11 -- 1st practice for ALL Student-Athletes (6-8pm)
That's it for now -- please let us know if you have any questions.
THANK YOU FOR ALL YOU DO!!!
Your Driftless Leadership Team
