2023 WheelzDown Composite Team Season
The WheelzDown Composite (WDC) team welcomes riders in grades 6-12 (during the 2022-23 school year) from Essex county to ride with the team. The team rides and races in the New Jersey Cycling League (www.newjerseymtb.org). Our team philosophy is fun first and our central goal is for students to develop a strong body, mind and character through mountain biking. There are no tryouts. Everyone rides no matter his/her ability and skill level. Racing is optional and not required to join the team.
WDC competes in cross-country style racing, based on National Interscholastic Cycling League standards (www.nationalmtb.org), starting in the Spring. We have club and race team options. Many of our student-athletes compete in other fall sports and practice with us in the summer.
WDC coaches and ride leaders receive background checks and are trained per NICA standards in concussion awareness, risk management and first-aid.
Practices
Pre-season practices begins the week of March 7th. We practice every Thursdays and Sundays for 2 hours in Verona at West Essex Trail. Practices are led by trained coaches and ride leaders.
Fees
The cost of the NJICL All-Access Pass is $300 per student-athlete. This fee covers the full season of participation, including NICA national registration, NJICL league registration, insurance coverage for local team practices and NJICL events, five pro-caliber spring races and a team jersey.
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Equipment
Riders need to have his/her own mountain bike and are required to wear helmets and closed-toe shoes when riding. Gloves and sunglasses are strongly recommended. Riders must carry their own spare tube, mini-pump, water and a jacket at all practices. Each rider is responsible for having and maintaining his/her own mountain bike. We require every rider to establish a relationship w/ a local bike shop for bike tunes, equipment maintenance and questions. Many local shops offer discounts to team members for equipment and repairs.
Please let the head coaches know if you need help finding and or purchasing a bike. We can help riders find bikes as we often get bike donations. The New Jersey League also has a loaner bike program and scholarships are available for equipment, racing and team fees.
Races
Racing is optional but encouraged! Parents and students are responsible for providing transportation to/from all races.
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Race Dates
April 2nd, 2023
April 16th, 2023
April 23rd, 2023 (Rain Date)
May 7th, 2023
May 21st, 2023
June 4th, 2023
June 11th, 2023 (Rain Date)
Questions
The coaches are here to help! Please do not hesitate to reach out to the team director if you need help finding a bike, have questions about the team or if costs associated with the program or equipment are unaffordable. We think everyone who wants to ride deserves to participate! We have access to lots of donated equipment, including bikes.
Head Coach: Randy Jackson
Team Director: Art Martin