Tuesday, September 27, 2016

After Making PA interscholastic Sports History, Local MontCo-based Youth Mountain Bike Team Gears Up For Second Race This Weekend

CONTACT
John Raisch
Wyncote, Pennsylvania
(215) 704-1556
jraisch@gmail.com

SEPTEMBER 26, 2016 (WYNCOTE, MONTGOMERY COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA)
After Making PA interscholastic Sports History, Local MontCo-based Youth Mountain Bike Team Gears Up For Second Race This Weekend


The SoMont Cycling Youth Mountain Bike Team will again blaze trails this weekend at the second race of the Pennsylvania Interscholastic Cycling League 2016 season at Jordan Creek Park in Allentown, PA.

Still feeling the excitement from their first race on September 18th, the 6th to 10th graders from Southern Montgomery County continued their training regimen the past 2 weeks at Lorimer Park, Pennypack Park and the Pennypack Rail Trail. The SoMont team will compete against 20 other Pennsylvania-based teams with over 200 youth athletes competing in total.

WHEN:      Sunday October 2, 2016 (races start at 9am)
WHERE:    Jordan Creek Park, Allentown, PA
                   1950 Mauch Chunk Rd, Allentown, PA 18104
WHO:        SoMont Cycling Youth MTB Team
                   Cheltenham, Abington, Springfield & Lower Moreland youth cycling athletes
                    - 1 of 20 Pennsylvania Interscholastic Cycling teams
DETAILS:  4 mi. loop, +/- 200 ft. of climbing/descent per loop
                   2-4 loops depending on grade classification

Hugging the water that gives it its name, Jordan Creek Park is a hidden cycling gem right in Pennsylvania’s third largest city. The park is just off of Route 22 and not far from of the Northeast Extension of the Pennsylvania Turnpike. Just 2 weeks after making PA interscholastic sports history in the inaugural 2016 event where the youth athletes had their first race-day experience, directors Raisch and Nguyen believe the team is once again ready for the challenge.

Miriam, an 8th grade SoMont athlete from Cheltenham Township and third place podium finisher at the inaugural event, enthusiastically awaits her second race “Being in the first race was surreal. After I finished, I was shaking with excitement, unsure how I did. I knew I did pretty well, but I didn't know I had made it on the podium. I was ecstatic when I found out.“

“Our athletes impress me every time we’re out on the bikes,” said Coach Nguyen. He further added, ”Their confidence is growing off the charts, but, more importantly, they are developing meaningful friendships. They’re just a great bunch of kids.”

“We have a fantastic group of dedicated community based sponsors, coaches, student-athletes and families. I am so proud of what we’ve collectively accomplished and I look forward to seeing our team race and represent Southern Montgomery County,” remarked Raisch. However, Raisch is boldly looking beyond this season further adding, “We are actively recruiting more student-athletes, preparing for a time when Abington, Cheltenham, Lower Moreland and other school districts adopt mountain biking as an interscholastic sport. This wonderful sport promotes physical and mental fitness, equality, inclusivity, and an appreciation of the great outdoors. We don’t think it gets much better than that.”

SoMont Youth MTB team introduces 6th to 12th grade boys and girls to adventure, exploration, excitement, friendship and good health through the sport of mountain biking. These characteristics are the bedrock of the team’s philosophy. Through instructional practice and competition student-athletes also develop problem solving skills, increase their self-esteem and see the benefits of a healthy and active lifestyle.

The SoMont Cycling Youth Mountain Bike Team was sanctioned in early 2016 as composite team in the newly formed Pennsylvania Interscholastic Cycling League (PICL). It is an independent interscholastic youth mountain bike team with student-athletes from Cheltenham, Abington, and Lower Moreland and Springfield areas of southern Montgomery County, PA.

To learn more about the SoMont Youth MTB Team visit them on Facebook, Instagram & Twitter or at their website: www.somontcycling.org , www.pamtb.org , www.nationalmtb.org

More about PICL, NICA and SoMont Cycling

Founded in 2009, the National Interscholastic Cycling Association (NICA) develops interscholastic mountain biking programs for student-athletes across the United States. NICA provides leadership, services and governance for local leagues to produce quality mountain bike events, and supports every student-athlete in the development of strong body, strong mind and strong character through their efforts on the bike. NICA operates in over 20 states, has over 7,500 student athletes and over 3,000 NICA-licensed coaches across the United States. NICA's vision is to develop interscholastic mountain biking coast-to-coast by 2020.
SoMont Cycling Youth MTB Team is a PICL sanctioned composite team, organized in 2016. It is an independent youth mountain bike team in the Cheltenham, Abington, Rockledge, Lower Moreland and Springfield areas of southern Montgomery County. The goal of SoMont Youth MTB is to introduce boys and girls (6th to 12th grade) to the sport of mountain biking and to help them use the sport as a way of developing a new life-long athletic interest. The team and coaching philosophy is to use cycling, and the mountain bike itself, as a way-of-thinking to transport our riders to a sense of adventure, exploration, excitement, and good health.

###

Pictures from the inaugural race September 18, 2016 in Marysville, PA.







Monday, September 26, 2016

SoMont Coaches Ride to Support Local NE Philadelphia Cycling Initiative

On Friday, Sept 23rd SoMont Cycling coaches rode to Ryan Ave via the Pennypack Rail Trail and Pennypack Park Trail to support the City of Philadelphia and the Bicycle Coalition of Greater Philadelphia in the opening of the Ryan Avenue Parking Protected Bike Lanes.

Check it out! We got on TV with our new kits!

Wednesday, September 21, 2016

Thursday, September 15, 2016

Race-day Nutrition Tips from Coach Dan and TryAd Personal Training

Here are some nutrition guidelines for the upcoming race this weekend!  I am unable to make the event so I wish all of the PA youth athletes the best of luck! I will see you all at practice next week!

Nutrition Requirements

The evening before -  Eat a meal high in carbohydrates and creatine such as fruits, oatmeal, ​cereal, breads, pasta, potatoes, energy bars, gatorade ​style drinks.

Just prior to the activity/race, consider the following
  • 3-5 hours prior: 50 to 100 grams of carbs – carbo-loading. Drink one water bottle of plain water or gatorade style drink
  • 30 minutes to 1 hour before – no more than 50 grams of carbs
During activity, if necessary, try the following:
  • activity of 60 minutes or less - water or gatorade style drink
  • activity of 90 minutes or more – 30-60 grams of carbs per hour
And don't forget, drink plenty of fluids before, during and after the race!
  • 8-12 cups of liquid a day
  • About 3 bike water bottles

Monday, September 12, 2016

New Montgomery County Youth Mountain Bike Team Gears Up For First Ever Race

[This is an extended version of the press release sent during the week of Monday September 12, 2016 - View the release here]

 SEPTEMBER 12, 2016  (WYNCOTE, MONTGOMERY COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA) – SoMont (Southern Montgomery County) Cycling Youth MTB Team is a chartered composite team of the Pennsylvania Interscholastic Cycling League (PICL) and the National Interscholastic Cycling League (NICA).  Co-founders, Wyncote neighbors and friends, John Raisch and Thuong Nguyen are mountain biking enthusiasts.  Raisch, a Rockledge-native and Abington High School graduate, grew up mountain biking in Lorimer Park while Nguyen, who grew up in Lancaster, became an avid Fairmount Park rider while earning his BA at the University of the Arts.

Today, both are also fathers with children developing their own affinity for cycling. The first official practice of the SoMont Cycling Youth MTB Team convened in July of 2016.  Since that time, Raisch and Nguyen have planned and conducted learning experiences, training, and practices for the youth in Lorimer Park, Baederwood Park, Tookany Creek Parkway, Pennypack Park & Rail Trail, Valley Green, and at the Philly Pumptrack.  Along the way, they picked up new team recruits and supporters. Today, the SoMont Cycling Youth MTB Team is comprised of 9 student-athletes, spanning grades 6 through 10, and drawing athletes from public and private schools throughout southern Montgomery County.  The team is also enthusiastically and financially supported by 8 community businesses. 

After nine months of planning, and six months of general practice and race training, coaches Nguyen and Raisch, along with their corporate sponsors, and student-athletes’ proud families are ready to present their race-ready SoMont Cycling Youth MTB Team at the season kick-off PICL 2016 Inaugural Race which will be held just west of Harrisburg at the Oesterling Farm in Marysville, Perry County, PA.

“Our athletes impress me every time we’re out on the bikes,” said Nguyen. He further added, ”Their confidence is growing off the charts, but, more importantly, they are developing meaningful friendships. They’re just a great bunch of kids.”

“We have a fantastic group of dedicated community based sponsors, coaches, student-athletes and families. I am so proud of what we’ve collectively accomplished and I look forward to seeing our team race and represent Southern Montgomery County,” remarked Raisch. However, Raisch is boldly looking beyond this season further adding, “We are actively recruiting more student-athletes, preparing for a time when Abington, Cheltenham, Lower Moreland and other school districts adopt mountain biking as an interscholastic sport. This wonderful sport promotes physical and mental fitness, equality, inclusivity, and an appreciation of the great outdoors. We don’t think it gets much better than that.”




Founded in 2009, the National Interscholastic Cycling Association (NICA) develops interscholastic mountain biking programs for student-athletes across the United States. NICA provides leadership, services and governance for local leagues to produce quality mountain bike events, and supports every student-athlete in the development of strong body, strong mind and strong character through their efforts on the bike.

The Pennsylvania Interscholastic Cycling League (PICL) is a non-profit 501(c)3 NICA Project League. The league was organized in 2014 with the goal to provide fun, safe, and competitive mountain biking opportunities for middle (grades 7-8) & high school students in the Commonwealth.

SoMont Cycling Youth MTB Team is a PICL sanctioned composite team, organized in 2016.  It is an independent youth mountain bike team in the Cheltenham, Abington, Rockledge, Lower Moreland and Springfield areas of southern Montgomery County. The goal of SoMont Youth MTB is to introduce boys and girls (6th to 12th grade) to the sport of mountain biking and to help them use the sport as a way of developing a new life-long athletic interest.  The team and coaching philosophy is to use cycling, and the mountain bike itself, as a way-of-thinking to transport our riders to a sense of adventure, exploration, excitement, friendship and good health.

Beyond the Marysville Epic, the 2016 season race series will continue as PICL will host 4 more races.  The next scheduled event Race #2: The Flow at Jordan Creek is scheduled for Sunday, October 2nd at Jordan Creek Park in Allentown, Pennsylvania. The season will conclude with Race #5: Finals at Fair Hill, November 6th in Elkton, Maryland, only a 20–minute drive from the most Southeast corner of Pennsylvania.

PRESS CONTACT
John Raisch
Wyncote, Pennsylvania
(215) 704-1556
jraisch@gmail.com

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 


[This is an extended version of the press release sent during the week of Monday September 12, 2016 - View the release here]

Wednesday, August 31, 2016

Happy Birthday to Coach Dan!

After yesterday's practice, we sang an impromptu Happy Birthday to Coach Dan. During the ride I thanked Coach Dan for coming to practice on his birthday. He made nothing of it and said... "John, I live every day like it's my birthday!" What great words to live by!

Thanks Coach Dan for being part of our team!


Saturday, August 27, 2016

The Marysville Epic Race Details Released -- PICL's 2016 Season Inaugural Event!


Sunday, September 18th, First Start Time: 9:30 AM
Oesterling Farm, Marysville, PA

RACE DESCRIPTION
 
The trails at the Oesterling Farm are true classics in the world of Mid-Atlantic mountain biking and we can’t wait to introduce the League to them this Fall. You’re in for a treat! There is a wonderful mix of open pastures and flowy singletrack that make for fun riding and fantastic spectating. What have essentially become our League Director’s fingerprint, the trails here have been perfected over a decade of races. Not quite Mike’s backyard, but it might as well be. It is a scenic setting to make history: the first ever interscholastic mountain bike race in Pennsylvania, just outside of the Capitol.
Riders will begin behind the barn and homestead, near rows of what used to be a tree farm, and ascend nearly a half mile of uneven grassy terrain. This should spread everyone out before the first stretch of singletrack at the top of the hill. Most sustained climbing will happen during this first half of the course. Singletrack is mixed with doubletrack and open grass segments for opportunities to pass or take a break. The course is often tight and twisty, and riders will come close to the infield before completing a lap. There are many places to spectate where you’ll see riders in all directions. Bring your cowbells!
High School Course Map can be found HERE. Middle School Course Map is HERE.

PRE-RIDE
Course is open for pre-ride Saturday afternoon (2:00 PM–5:00 PM) and Sunday morning (8:00 AM–9:00 AM). We recommend all riders pre-ride the course. Please pass course workers with great care.
ADDRESS AND DIRECTIONS TO OESTERLING FARM
100 Country Creek Road Marysville, PA 17053 (717) 350-1029

Marysville is located just north of Harrisburg, PA on the west shore of the Susquehanna River. Marysville is exit 65 (for Rt.11/15 North) off of I-81. Take 11&15 into Marysville and turn west onto Route 850. Proceed 1.5 miles west on Route 850 and then turn left onto Holly Road. As Holly Road bends to the left, leave the pavement and go straight down the gravel road. Follow signs to parking and registration.
***Parking is available at the infield location.***

PITZONE INFORMATION AND RULES
  • PitZone is open to vehicles for unloading/loading only (no parked vehicles allowed) during the following times::
    • Saturday: 1:00 PM to 5:00 PM
    • Sunday: 7:15 AM to 9:00 AM and after last racer has crossed the line and infield in taken down
  • No Smoking in PitZone
  • No inappropriate language allowed in PitZone
  • Any conflicts and/or disputes with any race official or volunteer shall not be dealt with in the PitZone
  • Any violation of the above rules may result in a team penalty and/or expulsion from the PitZone and Infield area
  • PITZONE could become too muddy to drive. Please be prepared to drop off and walk-in from gravel driveway.
ACCOMMODATIONS
Hotels are available in nearby Harrisburg and surrounding regions.
Both tent and RV camping options are available at the farm for $10 per site Saturday night. Details to follow for camping reservations.
IMPORTANT NOTES ABOUT CAMPING AT THE OESTERLING FARM
  • RV’s & Campers should plan to be self sufficient (NO electricity - Limited Water)
  • There are no showers at the farm
  • No Open Fires
  • More camp rules HERE.
FOOD SERVICE
Mad Dash Artisan Grilled Cheese will be on-site 3pm to 7pm Saturday & Sunday 9am to 3pm. Yum!

VOLUNTEER
Volunteers make our events possible. If you’d like to contribute to any Pennsylvania League event, please e-mail pat@pamtb.org

OTHER IMPORTANT NOTES 
No gasoline generators inside the team pit area, please, and no open fires outside of designated campfire rings
No dogs off leash please
Those petitioning for exceptions to category placement must do so in the required time-frame before the race. Same-day petitions will not be considered.  
Please pack out what you pack in. No garbage receptacles will be provided.
Parking access in/out of the primary parking area will be closed from 8:30 AM to 2:30PM on Sunday. Vehicles arriving after that time will need to park at the over-flow parking lot. Signs will be posted along the route.


WAVE START TIMES/LAPS/DISTANCES



Category
Start Time
Laps
Final Lap Time Cut-Off
Approx. Distance
Wave 1
Varsity Girls
9:30 AM
4
N/A
16.8 Miles

JV Girls
9:34 AM
3
N/A
12.6 Miles

Sophomore Girls
9:38 AM
2
N/A
8.4 Miles

Freshman Girls
9:42 AM
2
N/A
8.4 Miles
Wave 2
8th Grade Boys
11:30 AM
2*
11:55
4.4 Miles

7th Grade Boys
11:32 AM
2*
11:55
4.4 Miles

6th Grade Boys
11:34 AM
2*
11:55
4.4 Miles
Wave 3
8th Grade Girls
12:15 PM
2*
12:38
4.4 Miles

7th Grade Girls
12:17 PM
2*
12:38
4.4 Miles

6th Grade Girls
12:19 PM
2*
12:38
4.4 Miles
Wave 4
Varsity Boys
1:00 PM
4
N/A
16.8 Miles

JV Boys
1:04 PM
3
N/A
12.6 Miles

Sophomore Boys
1:08 PM
2
N/A
8.4 Miles

Freshman Boys
1:12 PM
2
N/A
8.4 Miles