At Raw Style, we talk a lot about leveling up to make mountain biking a bigger part of our lives, beyond just riding more. To us, mountain biking is more than just a thrilling activity or a work out. It’s the lens through which we view opportunity, well being, and community. Here are 9 ways you can level up.
1. Coach a NICA youth MTB team
Best for those who want to:
- Directly support getting more kids on bikes
- Ride more with your kids or with kids in your community
The National Interscholastic Cycling Association (NICA) develops interscholastic mountain biking programs for student-athletes and are the creators and operators behind many of the youth mountain bike races across the US. As a NICA coach, you can personally help drive NICA’s mission to “build strong minds, bodies, character, and communities through cycling.”
Many NICA coaches have kids on their respective teams, however your kids don’t need to be on the team for you to coach. In fact, several coaches of my local team don’t have kids on their team (myself included). Most states have a NICA league; check to see if your state does at the NICA website.
2. Volunteer at a NICA Mountain Biking Event
Best for those who want to:
- Support youth MTB, but don’t want to coach
- Participate in and grow their MTB community
If coaching isn't your jam, consider volunteering at your community's next NICA event. Help out during races, organize events, or offer your expertise in trail building and maintenance. If volunteering cold turkey feels intimidating, ask a friend or family member to volunteer with you, or just go to a race to see how things work.
3. Purchase an IMBA Membership
Best for those who want to:
- Get their hands dirty and are passionate about teamwork
- Help shape (literally) your local MTB trail system
Ever wonder how all those beautiful trails that you ride each week are built and maintained? Oftentimes trails are managed by cities, counties, the Bureau of Land Management (BLM), or some combination of the three. No matter the combo, each of these groups rely heavily on their local mountain bike clubs and volunteers to help keep trails rideable and to build new trails over time.
The International Mountain Biking Association (IMBA) is the premier organization for building and maintaining MTB trails. They’re on a mission “to create, enhance and protect great places to ride mountain bikes.” and with over 200 local groups, it’s easier than ever to get involved in a way that’s meaningful to you. Annual IMBA membership fees for local chapters are typically low, often starting at $25.
Side Note: what I like about this option is that it gives you a new appreciation for your trails and a sense of pride in ownership. You know that feeling you get when you wash your bike and shine up your drivetrain after a long ride? It’s kind of like that with the added benefit of knowing you’ve helped other riders get their stoke for the day.
4. Donate directly to clubs and organizations
Best for those who:
- Lack the time to volunteer directly
- Like tax deductions
If you're passionate about mountain biking but lack the time to volunteer, don’t sweat it. We all have responsibilities that need to be balanced in life. Instead of volunteering, consider making a financial donation to a mountain bike club or an organization like NICA or IMBA.
Bonus: nearly all of these organizations are non-profit, charitable organizations under 501(3)(c), which means your donations could be tax deductible.
Double bonus: many employers have matching programs where they will match some or all of your donations made to non-profit organizations. Your employer’s HR department can tell you if a matching program is available.
5. Compete in a challenge or race
Best for those who:
- Enjoy type 2 fun
- Want to improve their riding skills
Competing in a mountain bike challenge or race isn’t just for the pros and the benefits can be massive. You’ll become a better rider (mentally and physically) through pushing your limits and your entrance fees will support the mission of the event host organization. It’s a win-win!
With the recent explosion in mountain biking popularity, options are nearly endless. In Raw Style’s home town of Boise, Idaho, for example, the Boise Trails Challenge is held annually where riders have 30 days to ride 175 miles and climb 36K ft. vertical of trails in the Boise front (you can also run or hike it, but that’s just crazy talk). A portion of the Boise Trail Challenge’s proceeds are donated directly to SWIMBA and Ridge to Rivers - two incredible organizations that build and maintain trails and provide education to riders, among many other things.
Search for mountain bike races and challenges in your area, pick one, and commit to making it happen. Committing can be intimidating, especially for first-timers, but on the other side of fear lies opportunity; chances are you will surprise yourself and discover capabilities you thought you didn’t have.
6. Schedule a destination trip with your crew
Best for those who want to:
- Deepens bonds with their crew
- Refresh their stoke for riding
The camaraderie built while riding with your crew is arguably the most powerful benefit of mountain biking. And there’s something about exploring new areas and shaking up your routine that strengthens the bonds that tie you together.
If even the thought of planning a trip feels daunting then find someone in your crew who thrives on research and coordination and let them work their magic. Simplify your trip by choosing a destination within a few hours drive of home. Or if you’re planning to fly, find a turnkey bike shop near your destination instead of traveling with all your gear.
The Raw Style crew did this last December when we flew to Tucson, AZ to test our Men's Merino MTB Jersey prototype (look for a future article that will cover this epic trip). With a few simple emails, Home Grown hooked us up with bikes, gear, shuttle service, and a ride plan - the process was seamless and we got to test out a few new different bike models to boot.
7. Learn New Mountain Biking Technical Skills
Best for those who:
- Have lost their stoke and want it back
- Want to improve their skills or think they’ve already mastered it all!
Think about the first time you cleared that pesky rock section or unforgiving steep climb on your favorite trail. Or when you finally pulled off a whip, a wheelie, a bunny hop, a manual—whatever it may be. Do you remember the feeling those accomplishments gave you? We call that feeling 'the stoke,' and learning new mountain biking technical skills and applying them on the trail is one way to tap into it.
Maybe you've just started riding and want to learn some basic mountain biking skills. Perhaps you're a seasoned non-pro, stuck in a rut with your ride routine, looking for a catalyst to get excited about riding again. Maybe you're an actual pro and think you're so steezy that you don't need lessons. NONSENSE! Professional instruction can help anyone ride at a higher level and more safely (safety = fewer crashes = more rides = more stoke!).
To start, search for a MTB coaching near you and think about which skills you'd like to improve or learn. Most MTB coaches offer group classes that cover specific skills like cornering or jumping, and private classes where you can focus on a skill of your choice. Group classes are less expensive, but the trade-off is that you'll get less one-on-one time with the coach. Expect to pay around $100 for a 2-hour group lesson and about $150 per lesson for private instruction. You spent more on your last set of bike tires, so don't hesitate to invest in yourself and book that lesson!
8. Start following pro racing with your crew
Best for those who:
- Are sports fans at heart
- Have an inner Ricky Bobby and like to go fast!
OK, this one is a bit nerdy, but watching sports is a timeless way to have fun, and talk trash with friends and family. So, where to start? All the big pros and budding privateers set their sights on the UCI World Series that runs from spring to fall. Whether you’re into cross-country, enduro, or downhill, UCI has a race series for you.
Downhill is my personal favorite - the pros are so fast and the fans are insane. Skeptical? Watch this year’s winning race run from Frenchman Benoit Coulanges in Les Gets, France and tell me I’m wrong!
Now go watch some past races on YouTube, pick your favorite racers, and commit to watching the next race with your crew.
9. Make a donation with your Raw Style purchase and we’ll double it
Best for those who:
- Want to maximize their donation benefit
- Need to refresh their old, smelly gear
You have the opportunity to donate each time you shop with Raw Style, and if you do, we’ll match your contribution. 100% of donation funds go straight to amazing cycling-based organizations who maintain and grow mountain biking communities all over the U.S. Get some new unreasonably comfortable gear and make a big impact… What's better than that?
