CHAUNCEY, Ohio — The Ohio chapter of the National Interscholastic Cycling Association held a two-day mountain biking event at the Baileys Trail System in Chauncey on Sept. 12 and 13.
The league event featured races for middle- and high-school athletes — but NICA League Director Ty McBee told the Independent that the organization brings so much more.
“We see it as a youth-development program that helps young people build confidence, physical fitness, community and a lifelong connection to outdoor recreation,” McBee said.
Overall, the event welcomed 209 participants that competed in three waves: middle school boys, middle and high school girls, and high school boys. Some notable moments include one rider getting a flat tire, making the repairs all on her own and still finishing the race. The girls wave also brought some excitement when the race for first place came down to three determined riders.
“[Mountain biking] is such an awesome sport to build the confidence and resilience of our youth,” McBee said.
The Bailey’s Trail System is also a favored spot for this event. “This is a premier site in Ohio that we look forward to continuing to activate to bring riding to our young student athletes,” said McBee.
NICA’s 33 leagues across the United States serve roughly 26,000 students with the help of 16,000 volunteers, according to the organization’s website. The league continues to recruit new members.
