Club Overview

Student athletes from grades 6th through 12th grade will be eligible to participate, recreationally or competitively. This is a coeducational club program under Austin Parks, Recreation, and Forestry Department and will be open to students of Austin Public Schools, Pacelli Schools, Mower County, and home school students. Austin will join more than 90 teams from around Minnesota who participate in the Minnesota Cycling Association's (MCA) 2023 season and mountain bike racing series.

The MHSCL, which began in 2012, nearly doubled in size for 2013 and organizers experienced continued growth for season 3 in 2014. “We had 26 teams racing in 2013,” said League Director Josh Kleve. “We expect another 8 to 10 teams will join the league for 2014. We think we’ll be right around 350 student athletes racing.” In 2015, we had 50 teams, 6 new, and over 700 racers. Growth continued in 2016, with over 1000 racers statewide. A 6th race was introduced, allowing for a bye week off to accommodate the vast number of athletes. In 2017, a surge in middle school racers made for more race day excitement. In 2018, 7 races, 2 bye weeks, and 3 brand new venues debuted. In 2019, the league introduced 6th grade racing, and 2 days of racing, with middle school on Saturday, and high school on Sunday. In 2020, we passed 2000 total student athletes, but COVID 19 changed the practice format and changed from side by side racing to time trials for our student athletes. 2021 saw a return to side by side racing. In 2022, multiple race weekends were introduced, and the all team finale was held at Redhead Park in Chisholm, MN. As we enter 2023, the league will hold 9 races, with the addition of Theodore Wirth Park.

The MN League has  functioned as one of 30+ statewide mountain bike racing leagues under the National Interscholastic Cycling Association (NICA) for many years. Based in Berkeley, CA, NICA provides governance, oversight, and resources to guide the development of high school mountain bike racing across the U.S. In 2022, the MCA functioned independently of NICA to provide more to our student athletes.

Our 2014 season kicked off with the Leaders’ Summit at Quality Bicycle Products in Bloomington, MN with Head Coach Spencer Salmon, Dr. Gareth Hataye, and Dr. Dick Schindler attending. In June, a mountain bike skills class was held locally with State High School Cycling representatives. These activities ensured coaches could provide the necessary instruction to both new and experienced student athlete mountain bike racers. The Austin team successfully completed their inaugural season, finishing 5 races at Buck Hill, St. Cloud, Rochester, Mankato, and River Falls, WI. The season capped off with the State Awards Banquet on November 1st.

We experienced nearly 100% growth in 2015, from 9 in 2014 to 16 in 2015. Most exciting was the addition of the Austin Trail to the race circuit as race 1, a new trail with construction spearheaded by local volunteers.

2016 brought even more changes as we participated in 5 races with 1 bye race. With new Head Coach Tracy Brown added to our coaching staff, we benefited from his racing knowledge and experience.

In 2017, Austin hosted race 1 for the third season of the Minnesota High School Cycling League’s season. Unpredictable weather threw a few curves for scheduling races. We grew to 30 cyclists, some brand new, many seasoned riders, and 2 seniors who anchored the team.

2018 began with race 1 at Austin's Schindler's Way Trail, though a thunderstorm deluge shortened the Sunday races. With 2 bye weeks, and the addition of 2 new venues at Lake Rebecca and Detroit Mountain, our team, especially the middle school racers continued to blossom. Coach Connie stepped up at a level 2 coach.

The 2019 season proved to be a rainy one, and we added a third practice day. Both Coach Connie and Coach Tammy qualified as level 3 coaches.

In 2020, Austin took a one year break from hosting race 1, returning to host in 2021. Brophy Park in Alexandria debuted for the first time. 2020 brought significant changes in race locations, riders separated into pods, and races in a time trial format.

We welcomed back side by side racing for 2021. As the pandemic ebbs and vaccines flow, we were able to relax guidelines, some new-normal practices and races, and the return of some spectators. Austin was again privileged to host race 1 to kick off the 2021 season, and Coach Connie stepped up to head coach.

2022 brought a few new venues and multiple race weekends shortened the cycling season by 2 weeks.

As we enter the 2023 season, we look forward to racing at Theodore Wirth Park, and welcome Coach Paul as new team director.

All races are held August through October and are off-road on sanctioned courses of dirt singletrack, cross country ski trails, and grass. The lap-routes are approximately 4-5 miles in length. Age and sex determine the length of the courses and the planned race time. Races are based on age and classification (6-8, freshman, JV2, JV3, and varsity). Average race ride time is 30 min for 6-8th grade to 1:30 for varsity competition. Every member of the team can participate in all races, not just the fastest or the best. We also have a recreational team component for those who choose not to race.

The 2014 season brought the integration of middle school students. Previously, only high school aged students could participate in NICA mountain bike racing programs. Thanks to a successful Pilot Program hosted by the MN League in 2013, 7th and 8th graders could either join existing teams or launch separate middle school teams. 2016 allowed 6th graders to join the team, and racing in 2019.

Our focus continues on informing community, family, and students of this emerging sport. Assistance is available for bike loan and scholarships, and to help with participant costs. Team participation is recommended prior to the race season, but a racer can join the team anytime during the season.