PXV MTB Season At A Glance:

"PICL" Season (pronounced: "pickle" ) Stands for *Pennsylvania Interscholastic Cycling League.
"NICA" National Interscholastic Cycling Association 
"PXV MTB" Phoenixville "Inferno" Youth Mountain Bike Team

Practices:  Two times a week:
Monday and Thursdays 5:30 - 7:30 p.m.
*Wednesday Optional High Intensity Training for those wishing to condition for that racer's edge!
Once on a weekend for about 3 hours in alternating parks like: Marsh Creek, Nockamixon, Green Lane, Brandywine, White Clay, Trexler, Fairhill, etc.
Weekend rides tend to be about 45 - 65 minute drive each way. 
*It is important for student-athletes to make weekday practices so they can stay in condition to be able to ride on the weekends with the team. The more you ride the easier it becomes!

We are considered a "Traveling Team" .Weekend rides and the races weekends are "away": Gettysburg, Blue Mountain,
Pittsburgh, Fairhill, MD,  Johnstown and RAYSTOWN!  These races occur between the last weekend in  August and the second to last weekend in October. Historically, Middle School riders (6th, 7th, 8th graders) race on Saturdays. High schoolers race on Sundays. Many folks travel to the location on Friday night, and leave on Sunday afternoon. Its a fun weekend!
PXV Inferno does its best to plan ahead. The race weekend at Gettysburg (for example) occurs at Granite Hill Campground. Many people campout, rent a cabin or book their RV spot there. (many folks stay in hotels as well, if camping isn't their thing).
Starting on Friday night, we host a pot luck team dinner at a coach site, and another dinner on Saturday night at another hosts site. Fun, bonfires, games, good food and good laughs are a plenty!

Our "Beginner Home Practice Field" is located at Reservoir Park in Phoenixville. We spend a few weeks learning and mastering skills there and use the SRT for connecting to other spaces and conditioning. 
Parents/Guardians will drop and pick up kids from Reservoir Park the first two weeks. 
We will switch to drop-off and pickups for practices AFTER our first two weeks of July practice to Betzwood Park on the Montgomery County side of Valley Forge Park off of Trooper Road.

Weekend Practice: We will meet at a variety of state and local parks to practice throughout the season, specifically on the weekends.
While our weekday practices will evolve to Valley Forge Park, plan on weekend rides at places like Marsh Creek, Brandywine Park, Middle Run/White Clay, Evansburg, Trexler Nature Preserve, Fair Hill, Nockamixon and Green Lane.

Student-Athletes will be divided into several groups within the team based on experience, skill level, speed, and endurance.
Each group is led by a seasoned Level 3 Coach and accompanied by Level 2 and Level 1 Coaches.
The student to Coach ratio is no more than 8-2.  
 
*BEGINNING OF THE SEASON Once you are registered on the team, you will be invited to join TeamSnap. Please plan on downloading the TEAM SNAP App. That becomes our communication point for all rides. RSVP is required for each!

Please Note: Our weekend practices are held at known MTB trails.
Our student-athletes gain important skills and endurance by attending each weekday practice.
A student-athlete will experience extreme difficulty riding on the weekend long ride if they do not attend practices during the week. This can be a fun-downer and may drive the kiddo to not continue mtbing.

RACES
-There are over 60 PICL Teams across Pennsylvania. All PA teams practice throughout the Summer and Fall!
*Typically there are at least SIX state-wide races held on weekends between September and October: Gettysburg, Johnstown, Pittsburgh,  Blue Mountain, and Fair Hill, MD. and Raystown.
*Your child can choose to race one, none, some, or all. We encourage all to try one race! *It's a lot of fun cheering for your teammates AND other athletes! Noisemakers, microphones, squeaker-chickens are all the rage;)
-Racing is NOT mandatory. But if your child plans to race, then practices need to be attended:)
-Races are broken down by grade and by gender.
-Racing in your team's jersey is required. Racing Kit (Kits: Race Jerseys, racing shorts/Bibs/ Coats, etc...) Orders will be placed at the beginning of the season. Prices range based on style and quantity of race gear ordered. However, a Team Jersey is required to be worn at a race (approx. $50.00 each. The team has several extra jerseys to be lent out if needed.)

NICA/PICL REGISTRATION
-There is a NICA/PICL Registration Fee due at the time you register your child for the League. TBD
-If your child plans to race, you can pay per race or as a bundle.
-Financial Aid Available for Registration Fees AND/or Race Fees. Click Here for more information.)
*Scholarships and Financial Aid is available.

PHOENIXVILLE INFERNO ENROLLMENT
-Phoenixville Inferno Team Dues are $125.00 for the season by the end of July.
***Email the Team Director for additional information: pxvmtb@gmail.com. ).
-The Phoenixville Inferno Team Enrollment will END by the second week of July 2023
* Student-Athletes with MTB experience may be considered after the Enrollment closes. Determined by the Team Director and Lead Coaches after a Skills Test.
* Financial Aid through NICA/PICL is available. https://www.pamtb.org/financial-aid
***Student-Scholarships through PXV MTB are also available- Please email pxvmtb@gmail.com

MANDATORY EQUIPMENT: 
For Discounts Visit https://www.nationalmtb.org/athlete-coach-benefits/
A Front-Suspension Mountain Bike in Good Working Order. (Bike Checks will be held at beginning of the season)
26", 27.5" or - 29" Tires at least 1.5" wide. See NICA RULE BOOK for all Details: Click Here
Helmet
Water Hydration Pack and or two bottle cages attached to bike.
Nutrition/Snack (Fuel)
Closed-Toe Shoes
Safety Glasses
2 Spare Tubes for your bike
Multi-tool
Hand Pump or CO2 Cartridges and adapters. 
Personal Emergency Medical Supplies as needed (EPI-Pen, Insulin, Inhaler, etc.)

HIGHLY RECOMMENDED EQUIPMENT:
Extra Water Bottle Cage and Water Bottle
***Padded Bike Shorts <----- seriously- this is highly recommended!
Bug/Tick Repellent 
Sunscreen
Additional Nutrition and Snacks (*Fuel)
Phone
Spare socks, and a jacket for colder weather.
Bike Gloves Full or Half Finger

Please consider visiting our TEAM SPONSORS for equipment and gear purchases:
TWISTED COG in Phoenixville.
An Updated Team Roster will be provided to the bike shops.
Some discounts may apply.
Once you are a REGISTERED Student-Athlete with NICA, you are qualified to receive Special Discounts from Bike Makers and Equipment and gear providers! Proof of registration will be required to receive discounts. 
~Click this link for more information: https://www.nationalmtb.org/benefits/

LEASING A PHOENIXVILLE INFERNO MOUNTAIN BIKE
We at PXV MTB know that the sport of mountain biking can be costly.
That's why we have developed a program that helps student-athletes gain access to bikes and equipment that may otherwise be out of reach:
-The Phoenixville Inferno MTB Team has a modest fleet of Mountain Bikes available to lease for the season.
-Families interested in the Bike Lease option should contact Team Director at their earliest opportunity.
This is a First-Come, First-Serve opportunity.
*Bikes are limited.
Student-Athletes are encouraged to attend the scheduled Bike Check session, for proper bike fit and bike assignment. Date TBD - Subscribe to stay in the know.

-Season Bike Rental
Season Bike Rental is $75.00  
However, a $200.00 deposit is due at the first practice. 
$125.00 Reimbursed upon return of the bike on the last day of practice.
Bikes are limited. 
First Come First Serve.. Bike Fits and assignments happen in June.
When you fill out your PXV INFERNO Form you can let us know your child will need a bike:


Bikes should be returned, in the same condition as was originally leased, inspected by the coach, no later than the final practice of the season. (End of October).
-The Student-Athlete's family is responsible for the bike's transportation to and from practices and events. 
-Student-Athlete and their family will be responsible for taking care of the PXV MTB property: including repairs.
-IMPORTANT: Contracts will be signed by the parent or legal guardians of the student-athlete who choose to lease a PXV MTB Bike, and are financially responsible for the bike repairs, Damaged, Lost, Stolen or Missing Bikes. 
-Please contact the Team Director at pxvmtb@gmail.com to inquire about MTB Rentals.
(First come, first served)