About the Team
- Who are the Tuscaloosa Mountain Flyers?
The Tuscaloosa Mountain Flyers is a co-ed mountain biking team for students in grades 6-12. We focus on fostering a love for cycling, teamwork, and outdoor adventure. Our season runs from December 1 to May. - Can girls join the team? Yes! We need girls on the team and have female coaches to support some “girls only” group rides.
- What is the purpose of the team?
Our goal is to get more kids on bikes and encourage both competitive and recreational mountain biking. We provide a positive, supportive environment for all skill levels.
Getting Started
- How can my child join the team?
New riders are welcome! Contact us through our website for details on joining the team and participating in our upcoming season. - What equipment does my child need?
Riders need a mountain bike, helmet, gloves, eye protection, and closed-toe shoes. A full list of required equipment is available on our Equipment page. - Is prior mountain biking experience required?
No experience is necessary! Our coaching staff trains all riders in essential mountain biking skills and techniques. Student athletes need to be generally fit enough to ride a bike at practice for about an hour. The beginning of practice we focus on skill development. Then we divided into groups to ride based on skill level and overall fitness.
Team Practices and Schedule
- When are team practices held?
Practices take place twice a week—Tuesday evenings and Sunday afternoons, typically at Sokol Park. During the winter season, (December- Spring Break) we get our Tuesday workouts in with a spin class at our sponsor, Northridge Fitness. We also organize a group ride on Thursdays after school based on daylight and coach availability. - When is the racing season?
The race season usually starts in February and goes through early May. Check our Schedule page for specific dates. - What can I expect on race weekends?
Races take place on Saturdays for middle school riders and Sundays for high school riders. Families should prepare for travel, as race locations vary across Alabama. The courses are set-up Friday to allow for teams to pre-ride the course. We ask Middle School team and parents to set up our team pit areas Saturday morning which will be followed by a middle school pre-ride of the race course, middle school races, and then high school pre-ride. After the High School pre ride, HS parents will lower the tent for the night and handle clean up on Sunday. Races may be adjusted to avoid bad weather. - Trail Work Requirement: We require a minimum of 4 hours trail work on a local trail (Sokol, Hurricane Creek, Lake Lurleen). Local MTB club WAMBA does an amazing job maintaining our trails, and we need to show our appreciation by helping out. These hours can be knocked out during our organized trail work days, during Sokol race week course prep, or as course clean-up for our race.
- DCBC Service Commitment: DCBC (Druid City Bicycle Club) is our top sponsor. Instead of fundraising, we agree to work two events for them each year. The Gobble Cross race in November and the Hot Hundred in July. Please plan to provide assistance at one or both of these events, as they occur outside of our regular season.
What Parents Should Know
- How can I support my child’s involvement with the team? Parents play a vital role by encouraging practice attendance, helping with equipment maintenance, and attending races to cheer on the team. We will set up a volunteer page for parents to help with set up, tear down, and supplies/food during race weekends. Volunteers on race weekends are crucial for our team‘s success.
- What’s the time commitment for practices and races? Practices are held twice a week—Tuesday evenings and Sunday afternoons. Races take place primarily on weekends from February to May, often requiring travel across Alabama. It’s recommended to plan ahead for race weekends.
- Do I need to provide transportation for my child? Yes, families are responsible for transporting riders to practices and race events. Carpooling with other team families can help make travel easier.
- How does the team handle safety? Safety is our top priority. We follow strict protocols, including mandatory helmet use, pre-ride bike checks, and NICA guidelines for on-the-bike skills and safe riding practices. All coaches are trained in first aid, and volunteer coaches undergo background checks.
- How can I stay informed about team updates? We regularly communicate through this website. You can sign up for updates on our homepage to stay informed about practice schedules, race dates, and any other important announcements. Likewise, we run a GroupMe for quick, short communication as needed.
Student Racers: NICA Skills and Strength Training
- What skills do student racers develop? While we are under the Alabama Cycling Association (ACA), NICA has an excellent skills program that emphasizes fundamental mountain biking techniques like braking, cornering, climbing, and bike-body separation. These skills are essential for both safety and performance on the trail.
- How are skills taught to student racers? Coaches follow a structured "Tell it, Show it, Do it, Review it" approach to skill instruction, allowing students to build confidence progressively. Sessions incorporate practical drills, cone courses, and safe practice environments to reinforce each skill.
- Should I strength train? It will help! The strength training program focuses on building endurance, flexibility, and core strength to improve overall performance and reduce the risk of injury. Exercises are tailored to support the physical demands of mountain biking.
Racing and Rules
- Who can participate in races?
All riders are encouraged to participate, regardless of experience or skill level. The ACA’s inclusive structure allows everyone to race. - What are the ACA competition rules?
The Alabama Cycling Association (ACA) Rule Book covers racing rules, penalties, equipment requirements, and more. Key areas include conduct, safety protocols, and team eligibility. View the rulebook on our Rider Rules page. - How are races scored?
Points are awarded based on race placements. Teams are ranked by cumulative scores in each division, with individual and team awards given at each event and the end of the season.
Coaching and Volunteers
- Are there opportunities to volunteer?
Yes, we welcome parent volunteers and community members to support the team. Parents need to volunteer to help with race day logistics and assist coaches during practices. Volunteering is a wonderful way to connect with other parents and support your child’s team experience. Please visit our volunteer page for the needed sign ups! - What qualifications do coaches need?
Coaches must meet ACA certification standards, which vary by experience level. All coaches undergo background checks and training. We need all skill levels! Check here for more coaching information and resources.
