Mountain Biking is rad! You’ve given your kid a gift by supporting him or her in being part of the team and participating in the NorCal league. Short term, the benefits are huge; social, physical, personal growth, etc.  Long term, it is highly likely your child will develop a lifelong love for this amazing sport and the outdoors. While there are many benefits of participating on the team, much of our effort is geared toward performing as well as we can in our race competitions. It’s not all about winning, but it is about training toward a goal, developing personally, supporting teammates and other riders, and working hard during the races. ~ Coach Dave Kim

• There are 4 NorCal Races and a State Championship Race (for those who qualify). More information will be provided when NorCal releases the dates and locations for the races. They are all usually within a 1-3 hour drive. Petaluma being the closest!

• TWO WEEKS PRIOR - make sure your rider is pre-registered! https;//pizone.nationalmtb.org/users/sign_in

• DAY BEFORE - Pre-Ride - this is an opportunity for the kids to preview the race course and ride a lap. Pre-rides are typically between 2-5pm and 7am the morning of the race. If you cannot drive our racer up the day before, your racer has two options: (i) they can catch a ride with other families or riders; or (ii) they can pre-ride the course early on the morning of the race. By the way, this is an excused absence from school.

• RACE DAY / “THE PITZONE” - meet up at the PitZone (warm-up, equipment & food tent) - parents are in charge of setting up and running the Pit Zone, which is our team’s base camp for each race.  Riders, coaches and parents gather here to prepare for the race, eat, and celebrate the day’s events.  It is also the central storage place for all team equipment.

  • The first parent volunteers arrive at 7:00am to set up the Pit Zone.

  • Next, coaches and riders arrive for the team meeting.

  • Bikes are checked to ensure they are ready for the race.

  • After each race, riders return to refuel and relax. 

  • The parent volunteers take shifts and ensure food supplies are well stocked for the riders after each race and of course, clean up and tear down at day’s end. NOTE: every family is required to required to volunteer at each race.

• THE “FEED ZONE” (WATER) - The Feed Zone is an area next to the race course where designated coaches and volunteers are allowed to hand off water bottles to riders as they pass by. This is the only area on-course where race support can be provided.

• NORCAL VOLUNTEERS - In addition helping out in the Redwood Pit Zone or the Feed Zone, parents are required to volunteer one time each season with NorCal during the race.  The entire race is run by volunteers, so your help is needed and appreciated. Check out the volunteer jobs at https://www.norcalmtb.org.

• RACE SCHEDULE - races are staged throughout the day, usually with the Girls starting at 9:00am, and the final race start for Boys between 12:30-1:00pm. Girls and boys are divided into Freshman, Sophomore, JV and Varsity categories; and there are separate categories for D1 and D2 high schools, plus a new category for Composite teams. Each group starts together, with the top 10-20 riders being “called up” to special starting positions.

• CALL-UPS - Each rider has a ranking based on their previous race times and lines up according to their ranking, aka “call ups”. There is an announcement of the top riders names and schools, a countdown starting at 10 and then they are off! Note: Call-ups for the first race of the season are based upon individuals’ overall points earned the previous season (no call-ups for freshmen racers in the 1st race).

• RACE PLATES - This number is VERY IMPORTANT.  At the first race, the coaches will distribute “race plates” with each rider’s number. Riders MUST KEEP THIS RACE PLATE for the entire race season and are responsible for bringing it to each race.  The number has a chip in it that NorCal uses to clock time and score results. If your rider loses the plate, it’s a hassle and $20 to buy a replacement plate. Parent hint - take your race plate off right after the race and keep it in your race bag. Most common way to lose a race plate? Blown off a car-mounted bike driving down the freeway!

• PODIUMS - “Podiums”, aka Trophy Presentation: This happens after the last race is done – typically around 3pm. Team scores are tallied up, and if it is the last race of the weekend, the course is broken down. All riders are highly encouraged to stay for podiums - it reflects much better on Redwood as a team if we are all present.  The top 5 finishers for each race receive medals and stand on the podium.  At the end, the top-3 scoring teams are called up. This is a great way to support Redwood - and all riders.

• PARENT ROLES & OTHER HELPFUL TIPS - Being there for your volunteer slots and being available if your rider needs you are your most critical jobs. Many riders have their own pre-race routine and go into the “zone” of preparing.  Learn what your rider’s individual needs are and know that the coaches and their teammates play a big role in getting them ready for the race.  After the race, they typically do a warm down - biking around the venue, then they show up at the Pit Zone ravenous!

  • Always let kids eat first if they arrive to wait in the BBQ line, especially when they arrive famished after a race!

  • Remember: Riders have priority for chairs + bike stands + shelving unit storage space.

  • Wear a name tag the first 2-3 races – it helps all of us!

  • Remember to protect yourself from sunburns, poison oak and ticks! We have sunscreen, technu and repellent on hand at the Welcome Table.

  • Always look for ways to be helpful around the pit zone – even if you’re not working a shift. Check in with kids if they need anything, e.g., missing H2O bottle? Need a spare tube or CO2 cartridge?

  • Take some cowbells out with you on the racecourse – and position yourself on the hardest hill to cheer our riders on!

  • Stay for Podiums! It’s good for the team and shows solid sportsmanship.

• COMMUNICATION - TeamSnap App

  • As you can see, there are a lot of moving parts running a HS MTB team. Complicated scheduling, potential last minute changes due to unpredictable factors (weather, trail conditions, mechanical problems, etc), and a bunch of teenagers. As a team we utilize Team Snap as the main tool for communication.  This app is helpful throughout the season and on race day to keep up with important information! Coaches and our awesome Director, Duane, do our best to keep everyone up to date but if something gets missed, please remember we are a volunteer corp with other jobs and duties and we’re doing our best!