What to Expect…

…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.

instructions before skills practice

skills practice

getting ready to head out on the trails

grouping up for trail ride

team meeting at the end of practice

…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.

pit zone set up

bike racks at team tents

team tents

aerial view of pit zone on race day

devotion on Saturday before races

bike church

lining up to enter the start chute

starting chute

waiting to hear the whistle

racing

fuel station at the team tents

fueling up pre-race

breakfast of champions

everyone’s exhausted!

a little time to kill on race day

awards ceremony

carpooling with friends

campground fun after the races!

Race weekend is finally here… FAQ

Does my athlete need to pick up a packet/check in each day?

The coaches pick up the team’s race packet when they arrive on Friday, so athletes do not have to worry about this. However, ALL ATHLETES need to check in at the team tent in pit zone to pick up their race plate if they are participating in pre-ride or a race that day!

What should I bring to the team tent for race day?

Athletes need their bike, hydration, helmet and shoes are necessities for race day! You also need to be wearing or have your team jersey and cycling shorts. Some athletes bring a snack or pre-race fuel.

Parents, family, and friends should bring a folding camp chair, something to drink, and lots of encouragement!

What should I wear?

Pre-ride: your pre-ride shirt, preferred cycling shorts, and all other gear and hydration you need for race day
Race day: your team jersey, preferred cycling shorts, and all other gear and hydration/fuel you need for race day

What if I miss something on race weekend, like staging for call-ups or the warm-up?

Athletes who miss the designated warm-up for their race that is led by coaches will have to warm-up on their own. The athletes should be ready to start warming up at or before the designated time on the team schedule (ready to ride). Coaches cannot wait for late athletes as this puts the other athletes’ races in jeopardy.

Athletes who miss their call-up number in the start corral will be placed at the back of their race by ACA race officials.

A specific team schedule for each day is shared on the team communication app before the weekend begins and it is also posted on the hydration table in the team tent.

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.