Event Address and Directions

H27X+4Q, Santa Ynez, CA 93105

Google Maps Directions

Venue history & event description

The Trek Trails at Rancho Alegre system is located in the beautiful Santa Ynez Valley directly across from Lake Cachuma. The 215-acre property is situated among majestic oak trees, Larsen Meadow, natural creeks, and is home to an abundance of wildlife. Operated by Scouting America, Camp Rancho Alegre hosts The Outdoor School, Scouting camps, and a variety of non-profits to provide experience outdoors. The first five miles of trails were established in 2020 to increase mountain bike access for youth.

For our league’s inaugural event we are thrilled to host it in what most of our league staff consider our backyard. Rancho Alegre boasts challenging climbs, technical turns, and amazing flow trails purpose built by SAGE Trail Alliance. This high school course clocks in at just under 3 miles with around 450 feet of elevation gain so prep those climbing legs, and get ready for maximum stoke on the way down!

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Venue rules & regulations

All visitors will need to fill out a waiver to be on the property, which can be found HERE.

It is your responsibility to understand rules related to the venue, event, and NICA competitions. Penalties will be assessed to individuals and teams for breaking/disregarding rules at NICA events. Penalties can include, but are not limited to, loss of individual points, loss of team points, time penalties, and event expulsion. Inappropriate behavior will not be tolerated toward any volunteer, staff member, or other community member; such behavior results in immediate expulsion from the event.

Please familiarize yourself with the NICA Handbook.

• Pack out all trash. Limited receptacles on-site for refuse.
• The staging area is ONLY for riders and their coach.  Parents, spectators, teammates, and friends can head to the start, finish, and fan zones!
• NO pets allowed on site.
• NO riding in the Pit Zone.
• Drone Policy (see NICA Handbook)

Parking

Venue Parking will be in Larsen Meadow just South of the Entrance.

• Park in designated areas only. Please see the Infield Map (below) and follow the directions of all on-site parking volunteers, staff and signs.
• Handicap parking is available
• Please be respectful of all parking volunteers and staff. Inappropriate behavior will not be tolerated and will result in immediate expulsion from the event.

Parking is NOT permitted in the Pit Zone drop-off area.

Infield Map 

Course Map

Strava Course

Weekend schedule

Saturday

9:00 AM        Volunteer Shifts Begin

12:00 PM        Pit Zone Access Open

12:00 PM        Registration Opens (pickup or replace race plates)

2:00 PM        *NICA GRiT Ride - meet at the NICA GRiT Tent

2:30 PM         *Pre-Ride Opens to all riders

4:30 PM        Last Call for Pre-Ride

5:00 PM        Pre-Ride Closed - (No riders allowed on course after pre-ride is closed)

5:00 PM        Registration Closes

*Everyone on course must have a race plate (student, coach, league staff) affixed to their bikes.

Sunday

6:45 AM        Volunteer Shifts Begin

7:00 AM        Registration Opens (pickup or replace race plates)

7:30 AM        *Pre-Ride Open to all riders

8:00 AM        Pre-Ride Closed

8:15 AM         Coaches Meeting @ Coach’s Corral (See Infield Map)

9:00 AM        Racing Begins

2:00 PM        Racing Concludes

2:00 PM        Pit Zone Breakdown Begins

3:30 PM        Awards Ceremony

*Everyone on course must have a race plate (student, coach, league staff) affixed to their bikes.

Registration

The Golden State South season fee includes Registration for this event! No need to do anything once you’ve signed up for the season.

Registration deadline for Race #1 will be Tuesday,  9/23 at 11:59 PM. This will also be the deadline for any Category Petition Requests. For these requests, fill out this FORM and contact Race Director Ryan Luongo (ryan@goldenstatesouthmtb.org) with any questions. Race Day petitions will not be accepted. League Registration will re-open on Monday, Sept 29.  

Race Plates can be picked up when the Registration Tent opens on Saturday, 9/27 at 12:00 PM. All riders need to complete the VENUE WAIVER prior to pick up. Race Plates will not be issued unless the Venue Waiver is completed.

Each rider is assigned a number plate for the season. You will be using the same race plate for your bike the entire season.

• DO NOT LOSE YOUR RACE PLATE! Students will receive a race plate for the race series to be used for all races, so please take care of them. Race plates have chips on the back and require care to avoid damage. There is a $25 fee to replace race plates if lost, or forgotten. Replacement plates can be obtained  at registration.

Volunteering

Volunteering is one of the best ways to get involved. Stay close to the action while helping to ensure the event is a success. Positions are available throughout the event. You do not have to be a coach to volunteer. There’s a spot for everyone!

Not sure which position is right for you? Check out the descriptions and training videos by clicking here.

Once you’re signed up, fill out the volunteer waiver, so you’re ready to roll upon arrival.

Coaches Meeting

A mandatory head coaches meeting will be held at 8:15 AM on 9/28 at the Coach’s Corral (See Infield Map).

Each team must have 1 representative present at the meeting.

Wave Start Times

STAGING will begin 15 minutes before each wave.  

Riders will complete laps with the following Race Duration Guidelines for each category:

• Not to exceed 45 min for Middle School
• Not to exceed 75 min for High School
• Not to exceed 90 min for Varsity

Time limits may be imposed for reasons that include, among others: safety, heat, cold, rain, and muddy conditions.

Course closures may be announced at any time.

Racers who do not make the time limit cut-off will still be scored and ranked.

Due to weather or course closures, these duration guidelines may be changed at League Discretion.

Camping

Located near Rancho Alegre just off The Outdoor School campus. Registration for camping can be found here and directions to the campsite can be found here.

Camping area is in designated area only

• Parental supervision required, no exceptions.  League staff and team coaches are not responsible for student-athletes outside of pre-ride and race day.
• Campsites are primitive and first come first served. No hookups for RV’s.
• No campfires or open flames allowed.  Propane grills and stoves allowed as consistent with current local fire restrictions.
• Pack in/pack out trash.
• Portable restroom on site.

Pit Zone Drop Off & Pick Up

The Pit Zone Drop Off will be located just North of Staging, and will be limited to vehicles carrying LARGE items only. Given the proximity to Staging, Pit Zone Drop Off will only be permitted on Saturday once Registration opens  and until 8:00 am on Sunday.

Pit Zone Rules and Regulations

• Only vehicles with large pieces of Pit Zone equipment (e.g. tents, tables) may use Pit Zone drop-off lanes. Limit to 1 - 2 vehicles per team.
• NO parking in Pit Zone or in drop-off lanes.

• 1) Drop off Pit Zone equipment.
• 2) Move your vehicle to a parking spot.
• 3) Return to Pit Zone to set up your space.

• WALK bikes in Pit Zone - NO riding.
• NO grilling, smoking, fires, alcohol, gas generators, or dogs unless marked as service dogs in Pit Zone.
• Due to high event participation numbers, family, friends, and spectators are asked to set up in designated Fan Zones, not Pit Zone. Tents and gas grills are permitted in Fan Zones. Please see the Infield Map (above) for Fan Zone locations.
• Conflicts and/or disputes should NOT be dealt in the team Pit Zone area.

Pre-Ride Reminders

• Pre-Ride is permitted on the event weekend during designated times.
• Pre-ride is for registered racers and coaches, only.
• Number/coach plates must be affixed to the bike during pre-ride.
• Ride groups must maintain NICA ratios of 6 riders : 1 coach or 8 riders : 2 coaches (preferred).  At least one coach must be a Level 2 or 3 coach.
• Pre-ride is for course preview, only, and should be ridden at a responsible pace. Pre-ride is NOT a hot lap. Ride groups must proceed with caution and yield to event staff and other park users at all times.

GRiT

Calling all female riders, coaches, moms and mentors…gather up! It’s time to ride!

The GRiT Program is NICA’s effort to recruit and retain more girls and female coaches in NICA programs. Activities are focused on increasing girls' awareness of NICA programs by offering girls-only social and riding opportunities for athletes, moms, friends, siblings and female coaches. More information available HERE

GRiT Saturday Ride

Meet at the GRiT Tent (near Registration) Saturday at 1:00 PM for introductions, games, and to get your ride on. The ride will take place at 2:00PM and is open to all female riders, women coaches, moms, girls currently in 5th-12th grade, and their mentors. Anyone who is not currently a registered NICA rider or coach will need to fill out the NICA Waiver Form prior to the ride.

GRiT Tent Activities

Before the  GRiT Ride on Saturday we will come together to play some off the bike games to get to know everyone better. We will also have stickers, temporary tattoos, and other fun things available all weekend long! Come hang out with other NICA girls and women coaches.

Food & Drinks On-Site

Goodland MTB will be running food service for this event, and they will be accepting Venmo, Zelle, and Cash. See info below:        

Weather Policy and Cancellations

Below are the guidelines for how the league will conduct races in the event of challenging weather. Our primary considerations are the safety of riders, support staff and spectators, and potential damage to the venue and trails. Any decisions regarding canceling, postponing or altering race start times, lap lengths, number of laps, etc. will be made jointly by league staff and the land manager. Often this decision cannot be made until the morning of the race due to the unpredictable and rapidly changing nature of severe weather. The league will make every attempt to notify the racing population as soon as possible via email, social media and website updates. Please review our full weather policy at:  GoSo League Weather Policy

League Handbook

GoSo League Handbook (NEW, 2025)

Venue EAP

Event Emergency Action Plan

League and National Sponsors

Safety Reporting

Incident reports are mandatory whenever a student-athlete or coach is injured during a NICA activity. These incident reports are submitted by each Team’s Designated Reporter or an independent rider’s parent. For more information on Safety Reporting reporting please see our brochure here.

Insurance Coverage

NICA Insurance coverage is for registered student-athletes and registered coaches injured while participating in the sanctioned pre-ride and race events.

For more information on NICA Insurance Coverage, please see our FAQ here.

The Golden State South Interscholastic Cycling League is a Project League of the National Interscholastic Cycling Association, a 501(c)(3) non-profit youth development organization, guided by the core values of fun, inclusivity, equity, respect and community. The league promotes interscholastic mountain bike racing, provides training and education to new teams and coaches, and offers a comprehensive infrastructure to grow youth cycling in a professional, safe and engaging manner.