Check out this quick video recap of our race in Allentown on Sunday October 2nd!
Monday, October 17, 2016
Tuesday, September 27, 2016
After Making PA interscholastic Sports History, Local MontCo-based Youth Mountain Bike Team Gears Up For Second Race This Weekend
CONTACT
John Raisch
Wyncote,
Pennsylvania
(215) 704-1556
jraisch@gmail.com
SEPTEMBER 26, 2016
(WYNCOTE, MONTGOMERY COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA)
After Making PA
interscholastic Sports History, Local MontCo-based Youth Mountain
Bike Team Gears Up For Second Race This Weekend
The SoMont Cycling
Youth Mountain Bike Team will again blaze trails this weekend at the
second race of the Pennsylvania Interscholastic Cycling League 2016
season at Jordan Creek Park in Allentown, PA.
Still feeling the
excitement from their first race on September 18th, the 6th to 10th
graders from Southern Montgomery County continued their training
regimen the past 2 weeks at Lorimer Park, Pennypack Park and the
Pennypack Rail Trail. The SoMont team will compete against 20 other
Pennsylvania-based teams with over 200 youth athletes competing in
total.
WHEN: Sunday October
2, 2016 (races start at 9am)
WHERE: Jordan Creek
Park, Allentown, PA
1950 Mauch Chunk
Rd, Allentown, PA 18104
WHO: SoMont
Cycling Youth MTB Team
Cheltenham,
Abington, Springfield & Lower Moreland youth cycling athletes
- 1 of 20
Pennsylvania Interscholastic Cycling teams
DETAILS: 4 mi. loop,
+/- 200 ft. of climbing/descent per loop
2-4 loops
depending on grade classification
Hugging the water
that gives it its name, Jordan Creek Park is a hidden cycling gem
right in Pennsylvania’s third largest city. The park is just off of
Route 22 and not far from of the Northeast Extension of the
Pennsylvania Turnpike. Just 2 weeks after making PA interscholastic
sports history in the inaugural 2016 event where the youth athletes
had their first race-day experience, directors Raisch and Nguyen
believe the team is once again ready for the challenge.
Miriam, an 8th grade
SoMont athlete from Cheltenham Township and third place podium
finisher at the inaugural event, enthusiastically awaits her second
race “Being in the first race was surreal. After I finished, I was
shaking with excitement, unsure how I did. I knew I did pretty well,
but I didn't know I had made it on the podium. I was ecstatic when I
found out.“
“Our athletes
impress me every time we’re out on the bikes,” said Coach Nguyen.
He further added, ”Their confidence is growing off the charts, but,
more importantly, they are developing meaningful friendships. They’re
just a great bunch of kids.”
“We have a
fantastic group of dedicated community based sponsors, coaches,
student-athletes and families. I am so proud of what we’ve
collectively accomplished and I look forward to seeing our team race
and represent Southern Montgomery County,” remarked Raisch.
However, Raisch is boldly looking beyond this season further adding,
“We are actively recruiting more student-athletes, preparing for a
time when Abington, Cheltenham, Lower Moreland and other school
districts adopt mountain biking as an interscholastic sport. This
wonderful sport promotes physical and mental fitness, equality,
inclusivity, and an appreciation of the great outdoors. We don’t
think it gets much better than that.”
SoMont Youth MTB
team introduces 6th to 12th grade boys and girls to adventure,
exploration, excitement, friendship and good health through the sport
of mountain biking. These characteristics are the bedrock of the
team’s philosophy. Through instructional practice and competition
student-athletes also develop problem solving skills, increase their
self-esteem and see the benefits of a healthy and active lifestyle.
The SoMont Cycling
Youth Mountain Bike Team was sanctioned in early 2016 as composite
team in the newly formed Pennsylvania Interscholastic Cycling League
(PICL). It is an independent interscholastic youth mountain bike team
with student-athletes from Cheltenham, Abington, and Lower Moreland
and Springfield areas of southern Montgomery County, PA.
To learn more about
the SoMont Youth MTB Team visit them on Facebook, Instagram &
Twitter or at their website: www.somontcycling.org , www.pamtb.org ,
www.nationalmtb.org
More about PICL,
NICA and SoMont Cycling
Founded in 2009, the
National Interscholastic Cycling Association (NICA) develops
interscholastic mountain biking programs for student-athletes across
the United States. NICA provides leadership, services and governance
for local leagues to produce quality mountain bike events, and
supports every student-athlete in the development of strong body,
strong mind and strong character through their efforts on the bike.
NICA operates in over 20 states, has over 7,500 student athletes and
over 3,000 NICA-licensed coaches across the United States. NICA's
vision is to develop interscholastic mountain biking coast-to-coast
by 2020.
SoMont Cycling Youth
MTB Team is a PICL sanctioned composite team, organized in 2016. It
is an independent youth mountain bike team in the Cheltenham,
Abington, Rockledge, Lower Moreland and Springfield areas of southern
Montgomery County. The goal of SoMont Youth MTB is to introduce boys
and girls (6th to 12th grade) to the sport of mountain biking and to
help them use the sport as a way of developing a new life-long
athletic interest. The team and coaching philosophy is to use
cycling, and the mountain bike itself, as a way-of-thinking to
transport our riders to a sense of adventure, exploration,
excitement, and good health.
###
Pictures from the
inaugural race September 18, 2016 in Marysville, PA.
Monday, September 26, 2016
SoMont Coaches Ride to Support Local NE Philadelphia Cycling Initiative
On Friday, Sept 23rd SoMont Cycling coaches rode to Ryan Ave via the Pennypack Rail Trail and Pennypack Park Trail to support the City of Philadelphia and the Bicycle Coalition of Greater Philadelphia in the opening of the Ryan Avenue Parking Protected Bike Lanes.
Check it out! We got on TV with our new kits!
Check it out! We got on TV with our new kits!
Wednesday, September 21, 2016
Check Out Our Facebook Page for Race Day Pictures and Updates
Scroll within the window below to see more Facebook posts and pictures!
Thursday, September 15, 2016
Race-day Nutrition Tips from Coach Dan and TryAd Personal Training
Here are some nutrition guidelines for the upcoming race this weekend! I am unable to make the event so I wish all of the PA youth athletes the best of luck! I will see you all at practice next week!
Nutrition Requirements
The evening before - Eat a meal high in carbohydrates and creatine such as fruits, oatmeal, cereal, breads, pasta, potatoes, energy bars, gatorade style drinks.
Just prior to the activity/race, consider the following
Nutrition Requirements
The evening before - Eat a meal high in carbohydrates and creatine such as fruits, oatmeal, cereal, breads, pasta, potatoes, energy bars, gatorade style drinks.
Just prior to the activity/race, consider the following
- 3-5 hours prior: 50 to 100 grams of carbs – carbo-loading. Drink one water bottle of plain water or gatorade style drink
- 30 minutes to 1 hour before – no more than 50 grams of carbs
- activity of 60 minutes or less - water or gatorade style drink
- activity of 90 minutes or more – 30-60 grams of carbs per hour
- 8-12 cups of liquid a day
- About 3 bike water bottles
Monday, September 12, 2016
New Montgomery County Youth Mountain Bike Team Gears Up For First Ever Race
[This is an extended version of the press release sent during the week of Monday September 12, 2016 - View the release here]
SEPTEMBER 12, 2016 (WYNCOTE, MONTGOMERY COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA) – SoMont (Southern Montgomery County) Cycling Youth MTB Team is a chartered composite team of the Pennsylvania Interscholastic Cycling League (PICL) and the National Interscholastic Cycling League (NICA). Co-founders, Wyncote neighbors and friends, John Raisch and Thuong Nguyen are mountain biking enthusiasts. Raisch, a Rockledge-native and Abington High School graduate, grew up mountain biking in Lorimer Park while Nguyen, who grew up in Lancaster, became an avid Fairmount Park rider while earning his BA at the University of the Arts.
Today, both are also fathers with children developing their own affinity for cycling. The first official practice of the SoMont Cycling Youth MTB Team convened in July of 2016. Since that time, Raisch and Nguyen have planned and conducted learning experiences, training, and practices for the youth in Lorimer Park, Baederwood Park, Tookany Creek Parkway, Pennypack Park & Rail Trail, Valley Green, and at the Philly Pumptrack. Along the way, they picked up new team recruits and supporters. Today, the SoMont Cycling Youth MTB Team is comprised of 9 student-athletes, spanning grades 6 through 10, and drawing athletes from public and private schools throughout southern Montgomery County. The team is also enthusiastically and financially supported by 8 community businesses.
After nine months of planning, and six months of general practice and race training, coaches Nguyen and Raisch, along with their corporate sponsors, and student-athletes’ proud families are ready to present their race-ready SoMont Cycling Youth MTB Team at the season kick-off PICL 2016 Inaugural Race which will be held just west of Harrisburg at the Oesterling Farm in Marysville, Perry County, PA.
“Our athletes impress me every time we’re out on the bikes,” said Nguyen. He further added, ”Their confidence is growing off the charts, but, more importantly, they are developing meaningful friendships. They’re just a great bunch of kids.”
“We have a fantastic group of dedicated community based sponsors, coaches, student-athletes and families. I am so proud of what we’ve collectively accomplished and I look forward to seeing our team race and represent Southern Montgomery County,” remarked Raisch. However, Raisch is boldly looking beyond this season further adding, “We are actively recruiting more student-athletes, preparing for a time when Abington, Cheltenham, Lower Moreland and other school districts adopt mountain biking as an interscholastic sport. This wonderful sport promotes physical and mental fitness, equality, inclusivity, and an appreciation of the great outdoors. We don’t think it gets much better than that.”
Founded in 2009, the National Interscholastic Cycling Association (NICA) develops interscholastic mountain biking programs for student-athletes across the United States. NICA provides leadership, services and governance for local leagues to produce quality mountain bike events, and supports every student-athlete in the development of strong body, strong mind and strong character through their efforts on the bike.
The Pennsylvania Interscholastic Cycling League (PICL) is a non-profit 501(c)3 NICA Project League. The league was organized in 2014 with the goal to provide fun, safe, and competitive mountain biking opportunities for middle (grades 7-8) & high school students in the Commonwealth.
SoMont Cycling Youth MTB Team is a PICL sanctioned composite team, organized in 2016. It is an independent youth mountain bike team in the Cheltenham, Abington, Rockledge, Lower Moreland and Springfield areas of southern Montgomery County. The goal of SoMont Youth MTB is to introduce boys and girls (6th to 12th grade) to the sport of mountain biking and to help them use the sport as a way of developing a new life-long athletic interest. The team and coaching philosophy is to use cycling, and the mountain bike itself, as a way-of-thinking to transport our riders to a sense of adventure, exploration, excitement, friendship and good health.
Beyond the Marysville Epic, the 2016 season race series will continue as PICL will host 4 more races. The next scheduled event Race #2: The Flow at Jordan Creek is scheduled for Sunday, October 2nd at Jordan Creek Park in Allentown, Pennsylvania. The season will conclude with Race #5: Finals at Fair Hill, November 6th in Elkton, Maryland, only a 20–minute drive from the most Southeast corner of Pennsylvania.
PRESS CONTACT
John Raisch
Wyncote, Pennsylvania
(215) 704-1556
jraisch@gmail.com
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
[This is an extended version of the press release sent during the week of Monday September 12, 2016 - View the release here]
SEPTEMBER 12, 2016 (WYNCOTE, MONTGOMERY COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA) – SoMont (Southern Montgomery County) Cycling Youth MTB Team is a chartered composite team of the Pennsylvania Interscholastic Cycling League (PICL) and the National Interscholastic Cycling League (NICA). Co-founders, Wyncote neighbors and friends, John Raisch and Thuong Nguyen are mountain biking enthusiasts. Raisch, a Rockledge-native and Abington High School graduate, grew up mountain biking in Lorimer Park while Nguyen, who grew up in Lancaster, became an avid Fairmount Park rider while earning his BA at the University of the Arts.
Today, both are also fathers with children developing their own affinity for cycling. The first official practice of the SoMont Cycling Youth MTB Team convened in July of 2016. Since that time, Raisch and Nguyen have planned and conducted learning experiences, training, and practices for the youth in Lorimer Park, Baederwood Park, Tookany Creek Parkway, Pennypack Park & Rail Trail, Valley Green, and at the Philly Pumptrack. Along the way, they picked up new team recruits and supporters. Today, the SoMont Cycling Youth MTB Team is comprised of 9 student-athletes, spanning grades 6 through 10, and drawing athletes from public and private schools throughout southern Montgomery County. The team is also enthusiastically and financially supported by 8 community businesses.
After nine months of planning, and six months of general practice and race training, coaches Nguyen and Raisch, along with their corporate sponsors, and student-athletes’ proud families are ready to present their race-ready SoMont Cycling Youth MTB Team at the season kick-off PICL 2016 Inaugural Race which will be held just west of Harrisburg at the Oesterling Farm in Marysville, Perry County, PA.
“Our athletes impress me every time we’re out on the bikes,” said Nguyen. He further added, ”Their confidence is growing off the charts, but, more importantly, they are developing meaningful friendships. They’re just a great bunch of kids.”
“We have a fantastic group of dedicated community based sponsors, coaches, student-athletes and families. I am so proud of what we’ve collectively accomplished and I look forward to seeing our team race and represent Southern Montgomery County,” remarked Raisch. However, Raisch is boldly looking beyond this season further adding, “We are actively recruiting more student-athletes, preparing for a time when Abington, Cheltenham, Lower Moreland and other school districts adopt mountain biking as an interscholastic sport. This wonderful sport promotes physical and mental fitness, equality, inclusivity, and an appreciation of the great outdoors. We don’t think it gets much better than that.”
Founded in 2009, the National Interscholastic Cycling Association (NICA) develops interscholastic mountain biking programs for student-athletes across the United States. NICA provides leadership, services and governance for local leagues to produce quality mountain bike events, and supports every student-athlete in the development of strong body, strong mind and strong character through their efforts on the bike.
The Pennsylvania Interscholastic Cycling League (PICL) is a non-profit 501(c)3 NICA Project League. The league was organized in 2014 with the goal to provide fun, safe, and competitive mountain biking opportunities for middle (grades 7-8) & high school students in the Commonwealth.
SoMont Cycling Youth MTB Team is a PICL sanctioned composite team, organized in 2016. It is an independent youth mountain bike team in the Cheltenham, Abington, Rockledge, Lower Moreland and Springfield areas of southern Montgomery County. The goal of SoMont Youth MTB is to introduce boys and girls (6th to 12th grade) to the sport of mountain biking and to help them use the sport as a way of developing a new life-long athletic interest. The team and coaching philosophy is to use cycling, and the mountain bike itself, as a way-of-thinking to transport our riders to a sense of adventure, exploration, excitement, friendship and good health.
Beyond the Marysville Epic, the 2016 season race series will continue as PICL will host 4 more races. The next scheduled event Race #2: The Flow at Jordan Creek is scheduled for Sunday, October 2nd at Jordan Creek Park in Allentown, Pennsylvania. The season will conclude with Race #5: Finals at Fair Hill, November 6th in Elkton, Maryland, only a 20–minute drive from the most Southeast corner of Pennsylvania.
PRESS CONTACT
John Raisch
Wyncote, Pennsylvania
(215) 704-1556
jraisch@gmail.com
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
[This is an extended version of the press release sent during the week of Monday September 12, 2016 - View the release here]
Wednesday, August 31, 2016
Happy Birthday to Coach Dan!
After yesterday's practice, we sang an impromptu Happy Birthday to Coach Dan. During the ride I thanked Coach Dan for coming to practice on his birthday. He made nothing of it and said... "John, I live every day like it's my birthday!" What great words to live by!
Thanks Coach Dan for being part of our team!
Thanks Coach Dan for being part of our team!
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