Questions and Answers

WHAT TYPE OF TEAM IS THIS?

The Fairfax Fat Tire Flyer mountain bike team is a middle school cross country mountain bike racing team which is affiliated with the National Interscholastic Cycling Association (NICA). NICA is the licensing and organizing body for the high school racing program and NorCal is the local NICA league.  Riders will need to register with NorCal and NICA to join. 

WHO CAN JOIN?

The team is a composite club, not affiliated with a particular school, inviting 6th, 7th and 8th graders of all genders from the Ross Valley area (San Anselmo, Fairfax and neighbors) to participate.

The team does not have team tryouts and every rider can participate in every practice and every race!

We plan to accommodate all levels of riding ability and experience.  That said, mountain biking is an endurance sport that requires effort to improve.  Given the local geography, every mountain bike ride will require significant climbing and physical effort.  Mountain biking is hard but rewarding!!

WHO ARE THE COACHES?

Hannah Childress

Kelly Bennett

Bridget Clark

WHO IS THE DIRECTOR?

Laura Childress

WHAT DOES IT INVOLVE AND WHEN DOES IT HAPPEN?

The NorCal league allows for a pre-season, starting October 15th and until the regular season starts on December 1st. The preseason is a time for the team to organize and build socially, while regular team rides begin after the return from Winter Break.

Our team rides will begin in January and continue through April. Practices are held twice a week on Wednesdays from 2:30pm to 5:30(ish) starting from White Hill Middle School and Sundays from 9am to noon(ish) starting from Deer Park.

Racing is encouraged but not required for participation. The 2024 NorCal League race schedule has not yet been released but the first of 4 races usually start at the end of February and finish at the end of April. Riders will also participate in a Pre-Ride of the course with the coaches the afternoon before the race.

League racing is a family affair. A family member for each rider is expected to attend the race and fill some volunteer roles for the weekend. We offer race support but it’s up to you to get your rider to the race. Race venues for the 4 races are generally between 1 to 3 hours drive, and most are less than 2 hours away.

Some of the venues offer camping onsite but we will provide some recommendations for hotels as well. We also like to plan team dinners for the night before the race, whether they are potlucks at a camping venue or dinner at a local restaurant. This gives the riders a chance to decompress with their teammates after the Pre-Ride and for the parents to talk parent talk. 

HOW CAN PARENTS HELP?

This is a parent and volunteer driven organization. The maximum allowed ratio is 6 students to 1 coach (Coach must be a level 2 or higher) and the preferred ratio is 8 students : 2 coaches (1 coach must be level 2 or higher). Typically the coaches and ride leaders in both middle school and high school are parents. We need parents to volunteer to become ride leaders in order to run the team. Becoming a ride leader requires about two hours of online training. In addition to ride leaders we need parents to:

Volunteer for the dozens of positions available during race day

Cheer from the start, finish and on the course during races

Provide assistance with your talents that may include videography, photography, team party planning, meal planning, team graphics and artwork and more!

HOW MUCH DOES IT COST?

This is a not-for-profit program but there are costs to participate. Costs include:

    • NICA and NorCal registration fees about $100

    • Race registration fees $55 per race

    • Team uniform costs (~$75)

    • Team dues are $350. Team dues will cover team insurance and operating costs, as well as coach training, licensing and travel, and a coach stipend for practice and race participation.

    • Financial assistance may be available to those in need. Please contact the coaches to discuss.

HOW DO WE SIGN UP?

Step 1: Sign up for the Fairfax Fat Tire Flyers on this Google Form

Step 2: Once you have signed up for the team and we have your phone# and email, you will receive an invitation to register your student with the league through the NICA Pit Zone (https://pitzone.nationalmtb.org/). Complete the registration info, sign the waiver and pay the registration fees. NOTE: You do not need to register for races or pay race registration fees at this time!

Step 3: Pay the team dues with a check payable to Fairfax Fat Tire Flyers MTB Team mailed to 4 Francis Ave San Anselmo CA 94960

Step 4: Order Race Jersey. At a minimum, a team jersey will need to be purchased since the league requires each rider to wear an identifiable jersey on race day. You will receive an invitation to the team store once you have registered with the team.

Step 5: Once you have registered with NICA and paid your team dues the team will send you an invitation to TeamSnap, our calendar and communications platform.

CAN WE GIVE IT A TRY?

Students and parents are welcome to join us for a ride before joining the team provided you complete the following NICA release of liability form:

https://www.nationalmtb.org/agreement-to-participate-and-release-of-liability-form/