FAQ’s
What is the WI Interscholastic Cycling League?
The non-profit Wisconsin Interscholastic Cycling League (501(c)3), a Chapter League of NICA (National Interscholastic Cycling Association) has been part of the national movement of NICA since 2014. Using mountain biking as a youth development tool, more than 1000 highly trained volunteer coaches deliver programs designed to build strong minds, bodies, character and community through cycling to nearly 2000 middle and high school student-athletes, on more than 90 teams around the state.
Using methods based on our FIERC values of Fun, Inclusivity, Equity, Respect and Community, student-athletes learn bike handling skills and trail etiquette while creating a positive, accepting team culture in the outdoors where every athlete participates to the best of his/her/their ability. There are no bench players in mountain biking!
Mountain bike races provide healthy competition and a weekend of camaraderie at venues all over Wisconsin. Adventure programming provides group riding opportunities without the pressure of the race clock. GRiT, Girls Riding Together, encourages female athletes and coaches to get involved. Teen Trail Corps teaches land and resource stewardship when student-athletes and coaches help assist with trail maintenance.
We are rapidly growing as more students discover this fun, inclusive, challenging, and healthy sport where every youth is empowered to be part of a thriving and engaged cycling community.
How do I find my team?
In general, student-athletes are rostered to the team based on where they attend, or will attend, high school. Some teams are school-based and some are composite teams of several area schools. Use our interactive map to find the team near you. Click your community on the map and contact information for your team will pop up. Reach out to the Team Director to get all the info.
What is the difference between the North & South Conference?
Thanks to the incredible dedication of our coaches, families, and student-athletes, the Wisconsin Interscholastic Cycling League has reached a new milestone: next season, in 2026, we’ll expand into two conferences. This exciting step will help us create an even better Festival Weekend experience—less course crowding, smoother staging, and travel schedules that work better for families.
Teams are assigned to their conference based on geography and, as much as possible, proximity to festival venues. The first and last festivals of the season include both conferences at very large venues but the rest of the festivals are just one conference or the other.
Additional information about the expansion to two conferences can be found here.
When and where does my team practice?
The WI League season is from July through October. The practice schedule is team-based so check with your Head Coach and Team Director for these details.
What is an WI League MTB Festival or Event Weekend?
WI League MTB FESTIVALS are incredible weekend experiences full of fun! The MTB Festival Guide will be published in June but here is a sneak peak.
The first and last festivals of the season include both conferences at very large venues but the rest of the festivals are just one conference or the other. Spectating at the other conference festivals is welcome but riding is only available to the conference assigned to the festival.
Full Festival Weekends include racing and begin Labor Day weekend and run through October. Events in July and August highlight non-race programming like GRiT, Teen Trail Corps and Adventure but do not include racing.
Camping will open on Friday evenings. Activities will begin on Saturday morning and last all day, giving everyone plenty of opportunity to Adventure Ride, Course Pre-Ride and enjoy all the other fun before the sun goes down. Sunday, starting Labor Day weekend, will be full of racing fun for competitors and spectators alike.
ADVENTURE →
Pre-planned routes/excursions for riders & families seeking thrilling mountain biking adventures beyond the race course and a new on-site skills course with new features to play on and hone your skills. Adventure Rides will be scheduled when trails other than the race course are available onsite.
COURSE PRE-RIDES →
Exclusive opportunities for participants to pre-ride the race course, gaining insights into the terrain before the adrenaline-pumping race day.
RACING →
Heart-pounding mountain bike races for spectators, teammates and competitive riders.
GRiT →
Girls RIding Together: Group Ride and other bike related activities building camaraderie and empowerment amongst girls.
TEEN TRAIL CORPS (TTC)→
Activities to engage athletes & families surrounding trail maintenance and conservation efforts, fostering a sense of responsibility and environmental stewardship.
CULINARY DELIGHTS →
A variety of food truck offerings for a wide array of delicious options.
FESTIVAL FUN →
A lively atmosphere with sponsors, vendors and new merchandise to add to the excitement!
What is the cost to join the WI League?
In 2026, WI NICA is moving to an all-in, full-season registration fee designed for inclusivity and convenience.
Families register their student-athlete once for a total cost of $360 and registration opens April 1.
($55 NICA Membership + $5 NICA Tech Fee + $300 WI League Registration)
This one-time registration provides every student-athlete with:
- Fun, local practices with NICA licensed coaches
- Access to all Adventure, GRiT and Teen Trail Corps League-Level programming across the state
- Entry to any/all aspects of WI NICA Festivals (within their conference) that they enjoy – Race Pre-Ride, Adventure, GRiT, TTC and/or Racing – without additional registration or check-in!
This is different from past seasons. Why this change?
We’ve heard from families over the years about the stress of managing multiple registrations, deadlines, and fees. An all-in model eases those pain points while making our events even more welcoming and accessible.
While some families may pay more than in previous years and others may pay less, this structure reflects thoughtful planning and a commitment to providing consistent, high-quality programming across the league.
Most importantly, it helps ensure that every student-athlete feels included in the full WI NICA experience and can consider trying new activities without the hassle of additional fees or registrations. NICA is a way of life, not just a race series. For $360, student-athletes have four months full of experiences that build confidence, character, and lifelong skills—a cost far below many other youth sports.
With this change also comes an increased availability of financial assistance funds. Applications will open this spring so everyone who wants to ride can do so.
We’re confident this will make our season smoother, more equitable, and more fun for all.
Please note: the only program not included in the All-In Season Registration is bikepacking, due to very limited capacity. That program will have its own fee and registration process.
Do I still have to register for races or festivals individually?
No. This is one of the biggest benefits! Register once for the season, and your athlete is automatically eligible for all WI NICA events.
What if we aren’t sure whether we’ll attend festivals?
This new structure gives families maximum flexibility. You decide what works best for your family. The all-in fee simply makes it easier—no deadlines, no separate registrations, no stress. You can decide week-of—or even day-of—to attend a festival for pre-ride, Adventure, TTC, or racing. No pressure, and no missed deadlines but the fee is the same for all athletes, regardless of their level of participation. There is not a reduced price available for athletes who “just practice”. The fee is the same for all student-athletes. We encourage everyone to at least try parts of festivals that are closest to home.
Do I have to do everything at a Festival, even race?
Festival Weekends are challenge-by-choice events. You are automatically signed up for all parts of the festival but can choose which activities you want to experience. All athletes will have a spot in race staging but if you choose not to race, we will simply call up the next rider. No pressure but everyone is welcome!
Do I have to pay the WI League/NICA registration for my child to participate with a local team?
Yes. Local teams operate under the jurisdiction of NICA and WI League and get their insurance, etc., from being part of the state and national organization. Athletes on local teams must be fully current with all state and national league registrations (i.e. ‘Practice Ready’ in the NICA PitZone) in order to participate.
Does my WI League registration cover local team fees/dues?
No, team fees/dues are separate from your WI League/NICA registration and are set at the discretion of your local team. Team fees typically cover administrative costs for the team, team gear, team kit (uniform), etc. Your team will communicate its costs to you directly.
Is there a way for my child to try this out before committing?
Yes. Many local teams offer pre-season “Try-it-out” events for prospective athletes and future coaches. Also, at the local team’s discretion, athletes may also be able to participate in up to three team practices before joining. Either option requires a parent or guardian to sign an insurance waiver. Due to the requirements of our national insurance plan, this waiver can only be used for three activities. To continue after that, the student must have their registration current.
If my child decides this is not for them, are there refunds?
Our experience is that students love being part of the WI League on a variety of levels and we have a very low attrition rate. Student-athletes can select the way they wish to participate. Some are all about the competition and love racing. Others enjoy time maintaining trails and attending practice with friends. Everyone participates to their level of interest and ability.
If you are unsure about registering, please first take advantage of a Try-It-Out with a team in your area before registering because NICA registration fees are non refundable for any reason. WI League fees are only refundable in the event of doctor verified, season ending injury or illness. Here is a link to the complete Weather and Refund Policy.
Is financial assistance available?
Finances should not be a barrier to joining our community. Our financial assistance process is simple and confidential. Applications are available on our website starting February 1.
What does it cost to run the WI League?
The WI League costs about $760,000 to operate each season. What does that include??
- Programming for GRiT, Adventure and Teen Trail Corps along with Coach Training and Try-it-Out program cost about $115,000.
- Festival Weekends have a total price tag of $302,000 which includes venue rental, core staff stipends, timing services, emergency services, sanitation services, radio communication services, bike plates/back tags, awards, generator fuel, signage and much more.
- Operational expenses like insurance, Pitzone credit card processing fees, various business related subscription services and storage are nearly $115,000.
- and $40,000 for scholarships
- Finally, consider the salary, payroll taxes & benefits for staff and you can see that running the WI League has significant costs, even though we are a non-profit organization and work very hard to keep our expenses as low as possible.
Fees paid to the League are anticipated to generate about $575,000 of revenue, which does not cover our expenses. The rest of the expenses are covered by fundraising, donations and sponsorships.