Race Weekend Guide

NICA / NorCal races are organized youth mountain bike events where teams from across Northern California come together to compete. They are exciting, well-organized, and incredibly family-friendly.

Most race weekends are a two-day event. Families typically arrive Saturday for pre-riding and team activities, then race on Sunday. Some families camp overnight; others drive in Sunday morning.

CCC will pull in the team trailer, setup a team "Pitzone" where we will all gather for the day. We provide a hot lunch and even breakfast and dinner for the nights that we camp. We'll have hot coffee for the parents, a place to relax and cold drinks and snacks for all.

• Check the race schedule and confirm your rider's category and start time. Most up-to-date information is on NorCal but can also be found on our Race Schedule
• Register and pay any race fees through Pit Zone before the deadline (usually 2 weeks before the race)
• Pack bikes, gear, and supplies (see packing lists below)
• If Camping is available, confirm camping plans with the CCC Camping Coordinator.
• Review the course map if available and talk through the plan with your rider
• Make sure bikes are tuned up and ready to ride

• Pick Up your Race Plate. Riders can not pre-ride or race without an official race plate. These are passed out by our coaches at your first race (beginning of the season) and kept by you for the entire season.
• Pre-ride the course — riders walk or ride the race course to familiarize themselves the evening before the races. There are also pre-ride times early, before the races kick off
• Riders should arrive early for pre-ride while the course is not closed for races. Typical times: 7–8 AM for day-of pre-ride and 1–2 PM for DEVO pre-ride. These as typical but defer to each race's specific schedule.

If we're camping:

• Team tent gathering and meal
• Relax, socialize with other families, and prepare for race day

Race categories are determined by NICA and NorCal MTB based on the rider's grade level, gender, and league rules. Categories help ensure riders compete with others at a similar age and development level.

Devo (development)

• 6th through 8th grade riders in a school year group

Frosh

• All 9th grade athletes 

JV2

• All novice 10-12 grade 
• Raced Freshman in the prior year but did not qualify to upgrade to JV1 

JV1

• Placed in the top 40% in any two JV2 races in the prior year, or top 40% in one race and top 40% of the JV2 overall season standings in the previous season
• Placed in the top 40% in any two Freshman races in the prior year, or top 40% in one race and top 40% of the Freshman overall season standings in the previous season,
• Raced JV1 in the previous season but did not qualify to upgrade to Varsity. 

Varsity

• Placed in the top 30% in any two JV1 races in the prior year, or top 30% in one race and top 30% of the JV1 overall season standings in the previous season
• Raced Varsity the previous season 

Staging is how racers line up for the race. It has Call-Ups (positions 1-15), groups and General Staging. Student-athletes will arrive at the staging area 15 minutes before the start time of the corresponding race wave (e.g., girl's varsity will begin staging at 9:45 if the varsity girls start at 10:00 AM). Call Up and Staging information is posted on the NorCall website the week of the race.

Priority staging: Student-athletes within the top 25%, based on prior races, are assigned to a call-up or a group. High school includes call-ups which can be from 1-15 or more riders. After call-ups are "A Group" then "B Group" up to "E Group" depending on the category. Junior development does not have 'call-ups' but has groups.

General staging: Student-athletes that do not have call-up or group will join general staging.

If you identify any issues with staging, please contact rules@norcalmtb.org, these awesome individuals will help you as soon as possible. Thank you!

For Junior Development: There will be a staging board with priority staging information. Some student-athletes will be assigned to "Group D" based on their performance, placing them behind groups A–C, and ahead of groups E–General. If a student-athlete's name is not listed in a priority group, they are supposed to stage with the "General" group.

The feed zone is a designated area on the race course where team volunteers hand water bottles (and sometimes energy goo) to riders as they pass through during their race. It helps riders stay fueled and hydrated without stopping.

For CCC, 2 to 3 parents staff the feed zone during each race weekend. Volunteers hand up water bottles and snacks to our riders lap after lap — it is one of the most important (and fun) ways families support the team on race day.

• Mountain bike (tuned up and ready)
• Helmet (required)
• Cycling shoes and gloves
• Race plate (if applicable)
• Team kit / jersey
• Warm layers (mornings can be cold)
• Water bottles / hydration pack
• Snacks (energy bars, fruit, trail mix)
• Spare tube(s), tire levers, mini pump or CO2
• Multi-tool and chain lube
• Sunscreen
• Tecnu or other Poison Oak Wash

• Camp chair
• Shade canopy (if not using team tent)
• Cooler with ice, food, and drinks for the day
• Rain jacket (just in case)
• Change of clothes and extra layers
• First aid kit
• Trash bags
• Cash (some venues have vendors)
• Phone / camera
• Bug spray
• Positive attitude!

• Help with the team tent setup and breakdown
• Cheer from designated spectator areas
• Help with food and supplies
• Volunteer at course marshal positions
• Take photos and celebrate with riders
• Make sure your rider is fed, hydrated, and rested