EtownMTB is an awesome team and we hope to add you to our team!! We are Elizabethtown Area Students from both the High School and Middle School - boys and girls!!
This will be the best sport you will ever participate in. If you have any questions that are not answered here come check us out at a practice and see for yourself.
If you are using a computer, important information including dates and downloads will be located to the right section of this page (the student page). If you are on a mobile device, that information will be at the bottom of this page. Dates will also be posted on the front of the EtownMTB website. During the season we also post important information using our team communication app (TeamSnap).
Informational meetings are held in March. Please see the "Dates" section of the site.
If you are returning, download the form from our download section and return it the contact info provided on the form. If you are new, read through the rest of these FAQs. Then download the form and return it to school.
No! All skills required for learning how to ride will be taught at practices.
In 2016, practices were held on Tuesday and Thursday evenings from 6:00-8:00. At the beginning of the season all practices were held at the Fairgrounds. Once coaches feel students will be safe on trails, trails rides are arranged for Saturdays. NEW for the 2017 season will be the trail the winds through the Bear Creek School property that our team is building and maintaining.
We anticipate a similar schedule. However, we are currently evaluating options based on a number of factors and will update this once information becomes available.
Absolutely! Most of our athletes are involved in a variety of other activities.
There will be a skills boot camp clinic held in the beginning of July that all riders are required to attend. Consider this a skills boot camp to quickly get you going. Don't get worried - it's a ton of fun!! At this camp, our head coach will outline the practice schedule. And we will put that information on the website as well.
While we would love to have everyone try out at least one race, we understand that not everyone has that desire to race (but once you try one we think you will be hooked!). If you don't want to race but still want to experience the team race environment, come along with a friend and cheer on your teammates.
With the help of the coaches and our local bicycle shop, we will make recommendations to make sure your bike fits you properly. There is a bike check date that we require our students to bring their bikes in for this purpose.
Besides having a properly fitted bike, you will need a properly fitted helmet (which is a requirement for all riders) as well as filled water bottles at each practice. Other equipment that is really recommended is a good pair of padded bike shorts. And lastly, it would be nice to have biking gloves and sunglasses but it's not necessary. If you need help with getting a pair of biking shorts, visit the local bike shop.
EtownMTB has one head coach - Jason Thomas. And a lot of assistant coaches. We want to make sure that we can accommodate all students who want to participate and we want to make sure we can do it as safe as possible. All coaches have a strong lifelong relationshop with their own bikes and they want to make sure EtownMTB kids develop that same love.
All EtownMTB riders will be constantly assessed on their skills to make sure they have everything they need to before riding any trails. We want this to be a fun experience but also a safe one.
In 2016 there were five sanctioned season races that spanned from September to November. Additionally, there was one pre-race held in Marysville that our team attended to try out the race environment before racing on a PAMTB race where points count. In 2017 we anticipate a similar race schedule with perhaps the addition of a 6th race. As we have dates, we will post them.
Races in 2016 were held across the state of PA with 2 being held in Eastern PA, 2 being held in Western PA and the final race being held in Northern Maryland (just across the PA border). We anticipate a similar race season, however PAMTB officials are currently reviewing sites for the 2017 season. As we know more information, we will post race dates and sites in the important date section of the site.
When a racer completes a race, they earns points for their individual standings. At each race event, racers add to their standings to determine who the season winner is.
Races are divided into different categories: Girls 7th grade, 8th grade, Freshman, Sophomore, Junior Varsity and Varsity; Boys 7th grade, 8th grade, Freshman, Sophomore, Junior Varsity and Varsity;
Both! As mentioned above, each rider accumulates points for his/her own standings. And teams earn points as well!
Yes! This is part of the race experience just like you would see at the Tour de France. Racers earn spots on the podium for each race and teams also earn podium spots for how well the combined team did.
After each race all teams "race" to take down the course, equipments, tents, etc and then we gather around the podium station. We are pretty confident that EtownMTB will have racers on the podium each race and we encourage all racers to stay until the end when the team finishes are announced.
No. EtownMTB is considered a racing club. We are part of the The Pennsylvania Interscholastic Cycling League which is a non-profit 501(c)3 NICA Project League.
TeamSnap is how the team communicates. Once you are on the team you will be invited by the coach to join the site. You can either download the app onto a smartphone or use the logon on this site to access your account. We use this to let coach know if we are going to be at practices or trail rides (so he can plan numbers - always thinking about safety). We also use this to let coach know if we plan on racing at a certain race. And new for 2017 will be the ability for parents to sign up for snacks and other various team volunteer opportunities at races.
We are excited that you want to race. The Race Day Preparations Page will lead you to a page that is devoted to getting ready for races. You will find information about nutrition, hydration, race registrations, what you should bring to a race, info about what happens on the day of a race as well as information for parents. It's loaded with information. But, if you still have questions when you are done - please feel free to ask a coach.