Join Us 2025
Strong Mind, Body & Character
Work Hard. Play Hard.
The Wasatch Mountain Bike Team is open to all girls and boys entering grades 7-12. The team is comprised of all skill levels from experienced racers to committed beginners.
The Devo team (grades 7-8) practices twice weekly from June through September in preparation for races in August and September.
The High School team (grades 9-12) practices three times per week from June through October in preparation for races from August through October.
HIGH SCHOOL PRACTICE
Every Monday, Tuesday & Thursday
June, July, August:
6:15-8:00 PM
September:
5:45-7:30 PM
October (until State):
5:15-7 PM
DEVO PRACTICE
Every Tuesday & Thursday
June, July, August:
5:45-7:30 PM
September:
5:15-7:00 PM
Our mission is to create a fun, safe, and committed community where everyone belongs. We aim to empower every Wasatch rider to strengthen their body, mind, and character through the life-long love of cycling.
More kids on bikes means more kids getting outside, making friends, exercising often, learning a lifelong sport, and learning to do hard things. More kids developing confidence, strength, and character. We are more than a team – we are family. We work hard together, we cheer for each other, and we have FUN together. Here are just a few of the benefits you can expect when joining the team as a youth or an adult ride leader.
THE KEY TO TEAM SUCCESS
We are a team run entirely by volunteers. Being an adult ride leader is not only a great way to get outside, make new friends, and improve your own fitness, but you'll also impact teens who are developing lifelong skills and building confidence.
Tom Kunich
Currently, girls represent 20% of NICA's overall national student-athlete participation. The Wasatch MTB team typically has about 40% female athletes. NICA GRiT (Girls Riding Together) is NICA's effort to recruit and retain more girls and female coaches in NICA programs.
Our practice groups are organized by speed, fitness, and ability. We use previous race data, time trials, and input from ride leaders to make these groupings.
If you feel that you belong in a different group, you are welcome to talk with your Assistant Coach and they can evaluate further.
However, it is very important that each group rides at a similar pace so everyone in that group can get the appropriate training they need and so we are safe out on the trails!
Even though you might be in a different group from your best friends, there will be plenty of socializing time after practices, at races, and at team dinners and parties. You might even make some new friends in your ride group!
NICA requires that at each practice we are organized into ride groups with a ratio of 2 certified ride leaders for every 10-12 riders.
At the start of practice, we get into our groups, take attendance, review the practice plan, and take off right on time!
If you are late, we cannot let you ride on your own to meet up with your group unless there is a certified ride leader with you.
So… don’t show up late! There is a high probability that you will not be allowed to ride that night and it will be counted as a missed practice.
Pre-Race Parties (PRPs) are a 4-6 hour practice for high school riders at one of our race venues!
We set up a small pit zone and provide food and snacks for riders all day. Not only do you get to hang out with friends, but you get in some good base training, and you get really familiar with the race course!
When we asked riders about what they loved most at the end of last season… the answer was always, “PRPs!” See our calendar to know when and where our PRPs will be this year.
Slack is our means of communication on both teams.
Once you are officially registered for the team, you will need to download the app and join our Wasatch MTB Team workspace.
We will share a link with you after registration that will allow you into our team workspace.
You will need to be checking Slack on a daily basis once you are registered. ALL important information will be posted there.
Since we still use TeamSnap for registration and calendaring, occasionally you will receive an automatic email when we make a new event. However, you should not rely on emails as your source of information.
You will not get emails about everything you need to know. Slack is the only place where you will find all information.
Riders AND parents should be in the team workspace and be checking it daily.
High School Team:
Your first point of contact should be your Assistant Coach. You can contact them best by sending a DM (direct message) in Slack or by talking with them in person after a practice.
Cirque Team Assistant Coach: Tara McGown
Peak Team Assistant Coach: John Grotegut
Apex Team Assistant Coach: Jarrett Welch
Head Coach: Scott Preston, coach@wasatchmtb.org
If you have questions about registration or volunteering, contact Team Director: Melanie Lake, hsdirector@wasatchmtb.org
Devo Team:
Devo Team Director: Kelsey Morgan
Devo Assistant Team Director: Kenzie Bennion
Practice Coach: Aaron Bennion
Race Coach: Rachel Miller
Skills Coach: Cathy Kendall
Racing gives us the chance to put our guiding principles into action. It is where we learn to be intentional, work hard, and be greater than our previous self.
We feel respect for ourselves and for each other. We get to cheer for one another and celebrate our accomplishments. Racing will make you a better rider and a better person!
We want our team to be accessible to all, including low-income families. Please reach out to Melanie Lake at hsdirector@wasatchmtb.org for more information.
All teams are required to wear matching kits (jerseys and bottoms) at races.
We also wear our kits for team photos.
We operate on a two-year cycle with kits, and 2024 was a new kit year, so new riders will need to purchase one.
Kits typically run in the $160-$200 range. We will make our kits available to purchase after our Fit Night (see calendar) where you can come and try on the sizes.
For high school riders, individual scoring is based on the best 3 of 4 in a four-
race series. In other words, the lowest score is dropped.
A missed race would be the lowest score dropped.
Our team score is based on the top sixteen point-earners, with a maximum of twelve of those point-earners scoring in either the boys’ or girls’ categories. Learn all about the specifics in the Rulebook starting on page 39.
If you are injured after the practice season has begun, you can get a prorated refund if you are able to provide a doctor’s note. See more about our Refund Policy.
As a non-profit, volunteer-run organization, there is simply no way we can make this team happen without parent support.
We require that each parent volunteers for a minimum of 8 hours per child on the team throughout the season.
These hours can come from volunteering on the team level (ride leader, member of a committee, or race day volunteer) or on the league level.
Those who fulfill this commitment will be refunded the $100 volunteer fee at the end of the season. Volunteer opportunities will be made available at registration, in Slack communications, and prior to every race. Sign up is required for verification.