Q: What is the Minnesota Cycling Association (MCA)?
A: The Minnesota Cycling Association (MCA) was founded in 2012 and is the middle and high school mountain biking league in the state of Minnesota. Formerly a NICA-affiliate league, the MCA is committed to building strong minds, strong bodies and strong character through cycling. Their vision is that every youth is empowered to be part of a thriving and engaged cycling community. This is accomplished through a series of programs that serve those who have never been mountain biking to after school programs, day camps and a cross country racing series. To learn more, visit www.minnesotacycling.org.
Q: Where can I find answers to race weekend questions I have?
A: On the MCA Race Weekend FAQs page
Q: Is this an official high school sport part of Armstrong High School?
A: Yes and No
Q: Is mountain biking safe?
A: Mountain biking, like all sports, has inherent risks and is an activity where accidents happen. Safety is a core value of every Armstrong MTB event.
Q: Are there benefits to MCA membership?
A: Yes! As an Armstrong Cycle Club member, you will also be a member of the Minnesota Cycling Association. MCA sponsors provide substantial discounts on bikes and gear for MCA riders and coaches.
Q: Where does the team practice?
A: Practices are typically Tuesday and Thursday evenings at Theodore Wirth Regional Park. We also hold practices most Saturdays at other trails around the metro area. Specific practice times and locations vary throughout the season based on daylight hours, weather, trail availability, and other factors. We will always announce practice schedules well in advance. Riders are responsible for transportation to and from practice.
Q: Who are the coaches?
A: You can see our head coaches and their bios on the Coaches page. Armstrong Cycle Club is led by a group of experienced head coaches who have both past mountain biking experience and have coached with Armstrong Cycle Club for multiple years. All coaches are certified through the MCA and undergo training and background checks. All coaches are volunteers who love mountain biking and most have (or had) kids in the program.
Q: How competitive are the races? What if I don't want to race?
A: The races are divided into different categories, and riders race against others with the similar skill, speed, and competitiveness. All levels of skill and experience are welcome and accommodated. We will encourages all riders to race, but there is no requirement to do so.
Q: What if I don't have a bike?
A: Any local bike shop will be able to outfit riders with a suitable bike for riding and racing. But, register for the team before purchasing a new bike, because substantial discounts are available for MCA members (see "Benefits to MCA Membership" above). Additionally, quality used bikes can often be found for sale in the Twin Cities Bicycle Trading Post or on Craigslist. The Armstrong Cycle Club also has a limited number of loaner bikes available. First year team members will have priority over these bikes. Loaner bikes are also available through the MCA. Please contact us for more information.
Q: How long are the races?
A: Races are typically a 4-mile cross-country style MTB loop. Length varies per grade. 6th, 7th & 8th graders do one loop. Freshmen and JV2 do two loops. JV3 does three loops. Varsity does four loops.
Q: Can I help coach?
A: YES! We are an all-volunteer organization. We have three levels of coaches - everyone begins as a Level 1 coach and is paired with a higher level coach to learn the ropes. You can learn more at this link, or just email us at [email protected] and we can help walk you through it.
Q: I don't want to coach but can I volunteer off-the-bike?
A: YES! We are an all-volunteer organization. We always need assistance with taking photos at races, tent setup for races, our end of season banquet, and many other things. Fill out the contact us form on the website, or talk with a Head Coach.Additionally, MCA needs many volunteers for races to help them run - when you sign up for races, they will ask a parent or guardian to volunteer for at least one shift throughout the season. Without this help, our races won’t run. You can learn more about volunteering for MCA races here: https://mca.givepulse.com/group/889651-MN-Cycling-Association (updated info for every season is usually in August, just before the first race).
A: The Minnesota Cycling Association (MCA) was founded in 2012 and is the middle and high school mountain biking league in the state of Minnesota. Formerly a NICA-affiliate league, the MCA is committed to building strong minds, strong bodies and strong character through cycling. Their vision is that every youth is empowered to be part of a thriving and engaged cycling community. This is accomplished through a series of programs that serve those who have never been mountain biking to after school programs, day camps and a cross country racing series. To learn more, visit www.minnesotacycling.org.
Q: Where can I find answers to race weekend questions I have?
A: On the MCA Race Weekend FAQs page
Q: Is this an official high school sport part of Armstrong High School?
A: Yes and No
- Yes - the Minnesota Cycling Association sponsors a race season that is part of interscholastic sports in the state of Minnesota. Most school cycling programs are clubs and not official high school teams.
- No - the Armstrong Cycle Club is a club and not officially connected to Armstrong High School as defined by the Minnesota High School Cycling League (the state governing and guiding body for high school cyclist).
Q: Is mountain biking safe?
A: Mountain biking, like all sports, has inherent risks and is an activity where accidents happen. Safety is a core value of every Armstrong MTB event.
Q: Are there benefits to MCA membership?
A: Yes! As an Armstrong Cycle Club member, you will also be a member of the Minnesota Cycling Association. MCA sponsors provide substantial discounts on bikes and gear for MCA riders and coaches.
Q: Where does the team practice?
A: Practices are typically Tuesday and Thursday evenings at Theodore Wirth Regional Park. We also hold practices most Saturdays at other trails around the metro area. Specific practice times and locations vary throughout the season based on daylight hours, weather, trail availability, and other factors. We will always announce practice schedules well in advance. Riders are responsible for transportation to and from practice.
Q: Who are the coaches?
A: You can see our head coaches and their bios on the Coaches page. Armstrong Cycle Club is led by a group of experienced head coaches who have both past mountain biking experience and have coached with Armstrong Cycle Club for multiple years. All coaches are certified through the MCA and undergo training and background checks. All coaches are volunteers who love mountain biking and most have (or had) kids in the program.
Q: How competitive are the races? What if I don't want to race?
A: The races are divided into different categories, and riders race against others with the similar skill, speed, and competitiveness. All levels of skill and experience are welcome and accommodated. We will encourages all riders to race, but there is no requirement to do so.
Q: What if I don't have a bike?
A: Any local bike shop will be able to outfit riders with a suitable bike for riding and racing. But, register for the team before purchasing a new bike, because substantial discounts are available for MCA members (see "Benefits to MCA Membership" above). Additionally, quality used bikes can often be found for sale in the Twin Cities Bicycle Trading Post or on Craigslist. The Armstrong Cycle Club also has a limited number of loaner bikes available. First year team members will have priority over these bikes. Loaner bikes are also available through the MCA. Please contact us for more information.
Q: How long are the races?
A: Races are typically a 4-mile cross-country style MTB loop. Length varies per grade. 6th, 7th & 8th graders do one loop. Freshmen and JV2 do two loops. JV3 does three loops. Varsity does four loops.
Q: Can I help coach?
A: YES! We are an all-volunteer organization. We have three levels of coaches - everyone begins as a Level 1 coach and is paired with a higher level coach to learn the ropes. You can learn more at this link, or just email us at [email protected] and we can help walk you through it.
Q: I don't want to coach but can I volunteer off-the-bike?
A: YES! We are an all-volunteer organization. We always need assistance with taking photos at races, tent setup for races, our end of season banquet, and many other things. Fill out the contact us form on the website, or talk with a Head Coach.Additionally, MCA needs many volunteers for races to help them run - when you sign up for races, they will ask a parent or guardian to volunteer for at least one shift throughout the season. Without this help, our races won’t run. You can learn more about volunteering for MCA races here: https://mca.givepulse.com/group/889651-MN-Cycling-Association (updated info for every season is usually in August, just before the first race).