It’s trail time
Placer Foothills Mountain Bike Club is XC mountain bike racing and adventure riding for middle school (Grades 6-8) and high school in the Placer County Foothills.
About us
Our mission is to get kids stoked to ride bikes on trails. We seek to build character, community, and a life-long love for cycling. Let’s get more kids on bikes!
What
If you’re in middle school (Grades 6-8) or high school in the Placer County Foothills, you can join our club and ride on one of our teams.
No cuts. Everyone is welcome, no experience necessary. We compete in interscholastic races. We’re affiliated with NICA and the NorCal league.
We ride from October to May, training several days a week with long rides on Saturdays.
How
All of us are volunteers. Passionate people who love seeing kids succeed keep the pedals turning.
Donations and sponsorships go toward specific, achievable, public goals focused on expanding access to mountain biking.
Dive into the details of our programs and how we do what we do.
Pre Season
October – November
- Saturday adventure rides (2-3 hours)
- Try-it-out events
- Bi-weekly bike park maintenance
Season
December – May
- Saturday adventure rides (2-3 hours)
- 2-3 midweek training rides (1-2 hours)
- 4 race weekends
- 1 Championships weekend
Programs
Our programs are focused on XC (cross-country) racing and adventure riding. Our goal is to build a life-long love of mountain biking, and we do so in a supportive, inclusive team environment.
Middle School
Also called Devo (short for Development). If you’re in Grades 6-8, you’ll join our Middle School Composite team. Any type of school is cool (public, private, home).
Middle school is a great place to start adventure riding to learn the basics and progress as a rider. We focus on fun, skill development, and community building. Expect to play lots of games, share silly jokes, and bond with new friends.
Racing is strongly encouraged, but optional.
High School
Depending on what school you go to, you can join the Del Oro, Placer, Rocklin, or the High School Composite team. Any type of school is cool (public, private, home).
All high school teams ride together for training and practice, but compete separately.
High school is where we really dig in to both adventure riding and training to push the boundaries of endurance and skills. Expect to have tons of fun, build lasting friendships, and work hard over the season to achieve your goals. You won’t believe how much you can progress!
Racing is required, and all high school riders must register for the first 2 races at a minimum.
Competition
Interscholastic competition is a cornerstone of our programs. Racing in the team environment helps riders learn empathy, humility, flexibility, and resiliency. Race schedules for each season are posted in December.
Race weekends are true mountain bike fiestas where we all come together to cheer our riders as they challenge themselves to achieve their goals. They get to see that it takes a village to build a successful racer… and put on a successful race.
Racing is required for high school, and optional but strongly encouraged for middle school.
We are part of the NorCal NICA league. There are 4 race weekends during the season, one every 2-3 weeks starting in late February. A final Championships race weekend is in mid-May.
We travel to various locations across Northern California, pre-riding and camping overnight on Friday to be ready for a full day of racing on Saturday.
Let’s ride
If you’re ready to rip, sign up now. If you’re not sure if it’s for you, we can do one try-it-out ride if you fill out this release of liability form and email us to schedule it.
Here’s what you you’re going to need to hit the trails. We can help with equipment recommendations and refer you to local bike shops.
Mountain Bike
A well-maintained “hardtail” mountain bike equipped for trails with flat pedals is a good place to start. Hybrid, downhill, dirt jump, or BMX bikes aren’t a good fit.
Bike must be ride-ready at the start of each ride.
Helmet
If you’re on a bike, and you’re with us, you’re wearing a helmet.
Must meet CPSC safety standards and be worn properly.
Hydration
Water is a must. At least one bottle, preferably two or a hydration pack. We won’t let you ride with us if you don’t have it.
Feel free to add your fave electrolyte mix! No caffeine for student athletes.
Food
Make sure you’re fueling yourself well before the ride. Too little, too much, or too junky is no bueno.
Bring small sugary and salty snacks in your pack for the trail. Think Snickers.
Shoes
Flat-soled mountain bike shoes are the best option for flat pedals, but any sturdy, grippy shoe with well-tied laces will do.
If you’re clipping in, we don’t need to tell you what to do.
No Crocs.
Gloves
Not required, but strongly encouraged.
If something goes south, you tend to land on your hands. Gloves help.
Full-finger gloves also great for cold weather.
Glasses
Highly recommended!
Simple clear protective lenses in grippy frames can keep out the dust, dirt, and glare. Seeing is important.
You can also get super steezy aero shades.
Repair
Be ready to get a bike back on track. All riders and coaches must carry:
- Tire levers
- Quick link
- CO2 cartridge + nozzle
- Pump
- Bike tool
- Tubeless tire repair kit
- Tubes (27.5″ or 29″)
Apparel
Be prepared for weather, temperature changes, and trailside hazards (Poison Oak) with appropriate layers.
No cotton in the cold and wet!
If you take a layer off, you need to be able to pack it and carry it yourself.
Packs
Between the food, tools, and clothes, you have a lot to carry! Hip packs or small backpacks are recommended.
Coaches should plan to bring a larger backpack and carry a team-provided first aid kid and radio.