…at Practice

Families are responsible for transporting athletes to practices. Weekday practices vary by location, but Saturday practices often consist of skills work and trail riding. Athletes are grouped with a coach by speed/skill level for trail riding. Practices typically last 2 hours on weekdays and Saturdays. Parents play a vital role by encouraging practice attendance, helping with equipment maintenance, and attending races to cheer on the team.

…on Race Weekends

Races take place on weekends from late-February to early-May, often requiring travel across Alabama. It’s recommended to plan ahead for race weekends. Families are responsible for transporting riders to race events. Carpooling with other team families can help make travel easier. Parents play a vital role by helping with equipment maintenance and attending races to cheer on the team. We will set up a volunteer sign-up sheet on our team communication app 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!

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 parents and coaches to set up our team pit area Friday afternoons which will be followed by a middle school pre-ride of the race course, if they are in town early. Saturday is a full day of middle school races and awards, followed by a high school pre-ride. That evening the team will also host a team dinner (the team contributes the main dish and the other families provide side dishes, desserts, and drinks). Sunday morning dawns early with the high school pre-ride, high school races, and awards. High school parents & coaches will handle clean up on Sunday. Races may be adjusted to avoid bad weather.

Since almost all of the season’s races are located outside of the Pensacola area, our team members often choose to stay at campgrounds, hotels, or Airbnb’s close to the race venue. More specific details will be shared via the team’s communication app.

Typical Race Weekend Schedule

friday

The Pitzone will open around 3:30 PM for early setup and packet pickup. Teams are allowed to pre-ride Friday from 3:30 PM to 6:00 PM. Student athletes and coaches must have race plates on their bikes to pre-ride. The course will close at 6:00 PM.

Saturday

7:00 AM Volunteers arrive for infield set up 

7:30 AM Packet pickup 

8:45 AM All girls GRACe Ride

9:30 AM Pre-Ride MIDDLE SCHOOL ONLY 

11:00 AM Course closed for pre-ride / Packet pickup closed

11:00 AM Devotional

11:55 AM National Anthem

12:00 PM Wave 1 – Middle School Girls

1:15 PM Wave 2 – 7th & 6th Grade Boys

2:30 PM Wave 3 – 8th Grade Boys

3:45 PM Middle School Awards Ceremony 

4:15 PM Following awards – Pre-Ride HIGH SCHOOL ONLY 

6:00 PM Course Closed for Pre-Ride 

SUNDAY

7:00 AM Pit Zone opens

7:30 AM Course Open for Pre-Ride – High School Only 

8:30 AM Course Closed for Pre-Ride / Packet pickup closed

8:55 AM National Anthem 

9:00 AM Wave 1 – High School Girls  

11:00 AM Wave 2 – Freshman Boys/ JV2 Boys I & II 

1:00 PM Wave 3 – Varsity/JV1 Boys

3:00 PM Pit Zone and course takedown begins

3:45 PM High School Awards Ceremony