What Parents Need to Know for the 2024 Mountain Bike Season

A post from Independence Youth Cycling's blog...

As the 2024 mountain biking season approaches, Independence Youth Cycling (IYC) and its PICL/NICA mountain bike teams are gearing up for another exciting year. Here's what parents should know to ensure their young riders are ready for the trails.

Eligibility and Registration

Our teams welcome all youth in grades 6-12 residing in specified townships and neighborhoods in and around Philadelphia. The 2024 Season Interest Form is now available, allowing parents to sign up for notifications about registration​​​​. Visit the Independence Youth Cycling website and look for the the 2024 Season Interest Form.

Program Goals and Philosophy

IYC teams aim to instill a love for cycling and the outdoors in their participants. They focus on building character, confidence, and a sense of adventure through cycling. This approach not only encourages physical fitness but also teaches valuable life skills​​​​.

No Experience Necessary

Don't worry if your child is new to mountain biking. IYC teams welcome beginners and provide training on biking basics, ensuring a safe and enjoyable experience for all skill levels​​.

Practice and Event Schedule

The practice season starts in July, with the event season kicking off at the end of August. Practices are typically held two to three times a week, with races and adventure weekends scheduled through early November​​​​.

Practice Locations and Attendance

IYC teams practice mainly at Lorimer Park, Pennypack Park, Wissahickon Park, Twining Valley Park and Cresheim Trail, with other locations used occasionally. While regular attendance is encouraged for skill development, the team is flexible, understanding the busy schedules of young athletes​​.

Parental Involvement

Parents should expect to commit time for travel to practices and events. Participation in races, although optional, is highly encouraged as they offer a unique and energizing experience​​.

Costs and Equipment

Joining an IYC PICL/NICA team involves a fee, in addition to the national/state league registration fee. Students need a good-quality bike, helmet, cycling gloves, eye protection, and other essential gear for a safe and comfortable riding experience​​​​. IYC can provide financial aid.

Looking Ahead

With cyclocross coming to IYC in 2024, there will be even more opportunities for young cyclists to explore and enjoy different forms of biking​​.

As we approach the 2024 season, Independence Youth Cycling, SoMont Cycling and Philly Wiss continue their mission to enrich lives through cycling. Whether your child is a seasoned rider or just starting, this season promises adventure, growth, and lots of fun on two wheels!

If you want to explore riding on our non-scholastic based teams like Circle Cycle Racing or via our new cyclocross team, please contact us directly.

 

SoMont MTB Newsletter for Sunday July 16, 2023

SoMont Newsletter for Sunday July 16

Breaking news! Official team jersey and SoMont Fan Gear online stores are going live this week. Be on the lookout for an email within the next few days.

We had a GREAT first week of practices.  We loved seeing our returning riders and coaches, meeting the new student-athletes and families and seeing lots of smiling faces!  

Our goal is to make sure all families know what is going on within SoMont so you will be getting weekly updates and reminders via email.  They will typically come out on Sundays. Please reach out with any questions. 

A few things we noticed:

• Many student-athletes did not bring enough water.  It’s HOT!  Hydration is super important.  Please make sure to have plenty of water.  One water bottle often isn’t enough during these hot summer practices.
• We need parents/guardians to meet their student athletes in the parking lot at the end of practice.  Student athletes should not be leaving the parking lot on their own to ride home.  
• Check your bike before coming to practice (air in tires, brakes working, chain lubed and not stretched out).  At a minimum, every rider should carry a tube that fits their tire in case of a flat.
• Thank you for responding for events in Team Snap.  It makes things run smoothly when we know who to expect.  PLEASE KEEP THIS UP!  This week’s schedule includes THREE practices - Tuesday from 6-8, Thursday from 6-8 and Saturday from 9-11.  All practices this week (7/18 - 7/22)  will be at Lorimer Park.  Next week we will be practicing at Twining Valley Park to prepare for our first Local Dirt that we are hosting. Always check Team Snap for locations as we will make sure the events are updated there. 

The MTB Rider Cup at Twining Valley Park is scheduled for Sunday, August 13th.  Mark your calendars now and update your availability in Team Snap.  We would LOVE to see every SoMont rider attend this event if possible.  Specific information regarding times, etc will come later. 

On Thursday, 7/20 we will also be hosting a New Family Meeting and Gear Swap during practice time.  We will be discussing the events for the season, what to expect and volunteer opportunities.  Please plan to attend.  Returning families are welcome to attend as well.  Many of us have extra gear around that we don’t use.  Let’s give that gear a good home.  

Appropriate items to bring:

• lightly used cycling jerseys
• used equipment like saddle bags
• cycling shoes
• extra water bottles
• Camelbaks/hydration packs
• SoMont supporter gears (t-shirts, hoodies, hats) that you have outgrown

Inappropriate items to bring

• Used chamois
• Broken bike parts
• Cycling shoes that are worn out and unsafe
• Anything unsafe

 

Upcoming events - 2023 spring

 Join us at an upcoming event to learn more about our teams!

Team Information Night for New Riders and Families
Monday April 17, 6pm at Keswick Cycle

• Co-ed grades 6-12 fall/winter 2023/24
• We practice 2/3 times a week starting early July
• We ride at Lorimer Park, Pennypack, Wissahickon/Forbidden Drive and other local trail networks
• Event season late August thru end of October
• Team Registration opens around April 15
• "TryIt Rides" and Get-to-know-ya events April and May
• Financial aid, bikes and equipment available

We're always looking for adult volunteers - reach out!

April Youth MTB "Try It" Ride
SATURDAY, APRIL 29, 2023 AT 2 PM
Lorimer Park

Join us April 29, 2pm at Lorimer Park in Abington for a Try It Ride! That's right -- a TRY IT Ride, not a Try OUT ride. Everyone makes the team in mountain biking! Boys and Girls in grades 6-12 (as of fall 2023) are welcome to attend. No mountain biking experience required, although they must be comfortable riding a bike. This will be a fun event with games, education, and a short trail ride at the end if time permits.

A mountain bike with gears, helmet, and water bottle and cage or camelback-type backpack is required. We may have a few bikes available to borrow for the event if you let us know ahead of time.

Parents are asked to stay and attend a short info meeting with coaches, but they will not be biking with us.

Please fill out this form if you plan to attend.

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScf42R8qO-AngGFu_jKLctOGgCVqv3qKyitSJDQVpWj4pftvA/viewform?fbclid=IwAR0xcpkfbzWX7utd4cPwWkf5URR-VHUDWUSH1P2gN4J-oox2En_vvoccF-E

May Youth MTB "Try It" Ride
TUESDAY, MAY 23, 2023 AT 5:30 PM – 7:30 PM
Lorimer Park

Join us May 23 5:30-7:30 p.m. at Lorimer Park in Abington for a Try It Ride! That's right -- a TRY IT Ride, not a Try OUT ride. Everyone makes the team in mountain biking! Boys and Girls in grades 6-12 (as of fall 2023) are welcome to attend. No mountain biking experience required, although they must be comfortable riding a bike. This will be a fun event with games, education, and a short trail ride at the end if time permits.

A mountain bike with gears, helmet, and water bottle and cage or camelback-type backpack is required. We may have a few bikes available to borrow for the event if you let us know ahead of time.

Parents are asked to stay and attend a short info meeting with coaches, but they will not be biking with us.

Please fill out this form if you plan to attend.

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScf42R8qO-AngGFu_jKLctOGgCVqv3qKyitSJDQVpWj4pftvA/viewform?fbclid=IwAR0xcpkfbzWX7utd4cPwWkf5URR-VHUDWUSH1P2gN4J-oox2En_vvoccF-E

This is how we roll!

 This is how we roll!

Panthers and Ghosts riding together -- competing with other youth mountain bike athletes from across the state. 

We also have teams across all of lower MontCo and parts of Philadelphia.

To learn more about our upcoming season, fill out the 2023 Season Interest form! More info below too...

Click here for the 2023 Season Interest form

- Practice season starts July 1, 2023

- Event season late August thru end of October

- Team Registration opens around April 15

- "TryIt Rides" and Get-to-know-ya events April and May

- Financial aid, bikes and equipment available

- We're always looks for adult volunteers - reach out!

#moregirlsonbikes #morekidsonbikes #abingtonghosts #cheltenhampanthers #pamtb #SoMontStrong

2022 Season Planning

Hello and thank you for visiting the SoMont MTB website.

As we are early in the year, planning activities have not yet started. We expect to start season planning in March.

In the meantime, here's what you need to know.

New/interested student athletes and families

• We are expecting another year of growth. While registration isn't open yet (and won't until April) please use the "2022 Season Interest Form" to get your name on file. We'll use this list to communicate our initial pre-season events which start in April.
• If you have friends who are interested in joining, please also have them sign up as soon as possible
• Pre-season runs from April 1 through June 30. During this time we will hold a number of 1-2 hour Try It Rides as well as other promotional events.
• Official registration will open in April and run through May. Registration will be closed on or before the first week of June. Once registration opens, we ask you sign up ASAP, including the payment of PICL/NICA and SoMont team fees.
• Our official season runs from July through October (4 months). The core of our practice season is in July and August. New student athletes are required to attend practices these months.
• Event season starts in mid August until the end of October. Official events are generally every other weekend from late summer to fall. Practice will continue during this time.
• Practices are typically Tuesday and Thursday evenings from 6pm to 8pm and Saturdays from 9am to 11am

New/interested coaches

• If you are interested in learning more about coaching, please contact so we can talk. We are always looking for new adults to help us with the team. Please email us at sendit@indiemtb.org
• Coach roles vary -- Ride Support, Ride Leader and Instructor. There is no minimum commitment. All we ask is to make a comments to the head coach and do your best to stick with it. If once a week is all you can do, we can make that work.
• Some 2021 coach fees were reimbursed. We are hoping our 2022 budget allows for that again this year.

To learn more about what it means to be a mountain bike coach, visit this blog entry.

Hope to meet you all soon!

Friends of Cresheim Trail Recognize SoMont/Philly Wiss Trail Work

On July 31, 2021 Independence Youth Cycling’s chapter teams, SoMont and Philly Wiss, participated in the Pennsylvania Interscholastic League’s Teen Trail Corp Day at Cresheim Trail in NW Philadelphia.

23 student athletes, 10 coaches and many parents & siblings participated in the event, which was hosted by the Friends of Cresheim Trail.

The collective group performed a total of 66 hours of volunteer time.

The teams met at the outdoor classroom area on Cresheim Road and formed groups. The groups trimmed/resurfaced the single-track loop toward Germantown Avenue, trimmed the trail out to Allens Lane and  cleared the sidewalk along Cresheim Valley Dr/Emlen Street. Previously un-walkable due to overgrowth, the entire sidewalk along Cresheim Valley Drive/Emlen St was made walkable again as a result of the workday.

Teen Trail Corp is a program from the National Interscholastic Cycling League (NICA) and its state chapter the Pennsylvania Interscholastic Cycling League (PICL). Teen Trail Corps is a program that provides NICA student-athletes the opportunity to serve and give their time towards bike related advocacy activities. The program is designed to provide exposure and be a gateway for NICA student-athletes into the world of advocacy.

On September 3rd, Friends of Cresheim Trail Executive Director Susan Dannenberg presented the team with a Certificate of Acknowledgement and letter, and thanked team for their very important work in maintaining the trail network.

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September 3, 2021

Dear SoMont Youth MTB Team:

On behalf of the Board of Directors of the Cresheim Trail, I would like to personally thank you for your significant contribution to the August Workday on the Cresheim Trail. We are delighted that your group chose the Cresheim Trail as the beneficiary of your efforts. It is only through the hard work of volunteers like yourselves that we can maintain this special trail.

Please let your parents know that we appreciate their time. Guiding a group this large is not possible without adult participation.

During the workday over thirty SoMont Youth MTB Team members and their parents performed over 66 hours of clean up. Volunteers cleared vines from two segments of the Cresheim Trail and cleared the slate sidewalk on Emlen Street between Cresheim Road and Allens Lane. This was a major undertaking and will benefit all who use the Cresheim Trail or walk along Cresheim Valley Drive to say nothing of the aesthetic improvement! Cresheim Valley Drive is one of the Fairmount Park Drives and serves as a beautiful gateway. Your work on clearing and repairing the historic slate sidewalk makes this parkway truly worthy of the name.

Great work everyone. The Friends of the Cresheim Trail greatly appreciates your dedication to community service!

Sincerely,

Susan Dannenberg, Board Chair

Friends of the Cresheim Trail

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Supporters Store and SoMont Gear Bag

 The SoMont Supporter Store and Gear Bag orders close soon! Get your merch and gear now while the order window is open! Order window closes August 15th.

Supporter Store - https://artisticscreendesigns.tuosystems.com/stores/somont2021

Gear Bag  - https://www.cat5gear.ca/cyclist-case/

When ordering you the gear back you will need to enter “somont” (all lower case, no spaces) in the coupon code section.  You may see a higher price at first, however once you enter your address and coupon code, the price should update to the price stated above.