This is a first-time e-newsletter announcement, you are receiving this based on your reply to an IMBA announcement to Colorado members, signed up on the Colorado High School Cycling League website, or correspondence with either Kate Rau or myself.
Much excitement and momentum has grown since we first began work on this renewed effort to bring competitive mountain biking to Colorado high schools. For those of you who do not know me, I am the founder and director of the Northern California High School Mountain Bike Racing League (NorCal). Last year we replicated the NorCal League in Southern California (SoCal) and we are now committed to building a league in Colorado, under a newly formed organization called the National Interscholastic Cycling Association (NICA). As director of NICA, I am fully committed to supporting the Colorado effort as our first project beyond the state of California!
A snapshot and introduction
In July, 12 individuals gathered in Boulder to discuss the formation of a Colorado High School Mountain Bike League. The consensus was that fundraising goals were obtainable and that a 2010 summer/fall season was feasible. Since then, the committee has grown to represent regions all over the state, work has been done on branding, and creating fundraising documents. We have launched a campaign and continue the outreach for potential coaches and committee members. We thank IMBA for announcing this effort to their Colorado members.
Kate Rau, program director at Singletrack Mountain Bike Adventures (SMBA), who has attended NorCal coaches training seminars and the 2009 State Championships has taken command of the effort. Kate has already done an incredible job of spreading the word and recruiting committee members. Kate is highly knowledgeable, on a mission, and your Colorado 'go to' person! Kate and I will both be at the Interbike tradeshow garning support from the cycling industry.
How you can help
Kate and I are both fully committed to this effort. We would like to invest in promotional materials to conduct outreach (a banner, tent, brochures, stickers). Please, no matter how small, if you are behind this effort, please make a contribution at www.coloradomtb.org. 100% of your donation will go towards the Colorado effort.
Soon, we would like to ask our committee to consider joining one or more subcommittees. The committees include:
-Venue Committee (Help us locate, inspect, and choose four or five courses perfect for young high school racers)
-Special Event Committee (Help us produce high quality outreach and fundraising events, such as movie screenings and a classy benefit dinner, just like Cyclefest 2009 and The Way Bobby Sees It)
-Outreach Committee (Host an outreach event in your local area at a school or bike shop)
-Fundraising Committee (High school racing is funded primarily by the passionate stakeholders who want to bring the benefits of cycling into our schools -- help us connect with potential donors and sponsors)
-League Rider Committee (See below)
Lastly, think about high school kids (or eighth graders) who would like to represent this movement! Serving on the "League Rider Committee" is a first opportunity for young mountain bikers to have a valuable leadership experience. These youth leaders should be willing to volunteer some time at League outreach events.
Stay tuned for more from Kate Rau regarding these opportunities.
Lastly, I want to acknowledge all the individuals and organizations that laid the Colorado groundwork that preceded this statewide effort.
Happy trails,
Matt Fritzinger Kate Rau
NorCal Director Colorado Chairperson
NICA Director (720) 272-9282
510-524-5464 (work) kate@coloradomtb.org
510-325-6502 (mobile)
www.norcalmtb.org
www.socaldirt.org
www.coloradomtb.org
www.nationalmtb.org
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