RIDE BIKES WITH US!
CNY West Mountain Bike Team
A co-ed youth mountain biking team for athletes in grades 5-12.
No tryouts, everybody rides!
WHO WE ARE
CNY WEST MOUNTAIN BIKE TEAM
CNY West Mountain Bike Team is a place for kids to ride bikes, make friends, get stronger, and feel like they belong. Our spring NICA season welcomes student-athletes in grades 5-12, from brand-new trail riders to experienced racers. We also offer a separate Fall Program that is not affiliated with NICA and welcomes younger riders too, starting in 1st grade. No tryouts, no bench, no pressure to be the fastest. Everyone rides, everyone matters, and we are so excited to build this team with our west-side riding community.
We meet for practices at two primary locations - Split Rock Quarry and Rand Tract Park (for hills!), both on the west side of Syracuse.
What is NICA?
NICA, the National Interscholastic Cycling Association, is a youth mountain biking organization that helps students build strong minds, bodies, character, and community through cycling. NICA programs are open to student-athletes in grades 6-12 and focus on skill development, safety, teamwork, outdoor adventure, and inclusive participation. CNY West participates in the New York NICA league during the spring season.
Our NICA Season
CNY West participates in the New York League, part of the National Interscholastic Cycling Association (NICA). Our 2026 NICA season begins with practices in March, weather permitting, and runs through June with team practices, trail stewardship opportunities, optional races, and more.
More information about the league is available at newyorkmtb.org. Beginning in 2027, New York NICA will move to a fall league season.
What Area Does CNY West Serve?
CNY West serves riders from the western Central New York area, including western Onondaga County, Cayuga County, and Oswego County. Our proposed school-district area includes Baldwinsville, West Genesee, Westhill, Marcellus, Jordan-Elbridge, Solvay, Skaneateles, Onondaga Central, Syracuse City, and districts within Cayuga and Oswego Counties. Homeschool and private-school riders are welcome too, based on the public school district where they live.
Riders from eastern-area school districts are served by the AWESOME CNY Sharks, and we’ll link families to their website so everyone can find the right team.
Where we ride
PRIMARY PRACTICE LOCATIONS
Split Rock - Onondaga Hill
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Building technical abilities, bike handling, progressive skills, stories of Split Rock lore, and funky vibes
Rand Tract/Bird Sanctuary - Syracuse Valley
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Endurance building and hills; a combination of gentle and technical climbs with a wide range of trail types
Other trails we ride (occasional fun locations we ride sometimes!):
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Great Bear
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Green Lakes
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Duguid
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Highland Forest
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Bear Swamp
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Morgan Hill
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Tilden Hill
VOLUNTEERS
It takes a community to make our team happen! We’re looking for volunteers to help with everything from practices and events to behind-the-scenes support. Whether you ride or not, there’s a place for you to jump in, meet some great people, and help our student-athletes thrive.
COACHES
Our team needs more awesome coaches! Come ride along with the team and be a role model for our athletes. No mountain biking experience necessary; NICA provides coach education and training for you!
STUDENT-ATHLETES
Ready to ride with us? We welcome student-athletes in grades 5–12 from across western Central New York. No mountain biking or racing experience needed! Build your skills, explore the trails, make new friends, and race with the team if you want to. Racing is always optional!
FALL PROGRAM
Our Fall Program is open to riders in 1st through 12th grade who have a mountain bike suitable for riding trails. The program is $40 and meets Tuesdays at 5:00 PM and Saturdays at 9:00 AM at Split Rock Quarry trails, with each session running 90 minutes. Riders will build confidence through games, bike handling skills, and guided trail rides in a fun, supportive team environment. This is not a NICA program and is separate from our spring NICA season. This program is made possible with support from Mello Velo Bike Shop.
Meet The Leadership Team
Justine Kreso
Team Director
Nicky Jennings
Head Coach
Chris Corfield
Assistant Head Coach
Todd DeOrdio
Teen Trail Corp Lead
HELP US GET ROLLING
CNY West Mountain Bike Team, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization and a brand-new team launching in Fall 2026. Donations help us get the program off the ground by supporting scholarships, coaching resources, equipment needs, trail stewardship, and other startup costs that make youth mountain biking more accessible for local student-athletes. We’re grateful for every bit of support as we build this team from the ground up.
CONTACT US
Want to join the team? Sign up to receive emails from us below and we'll let you know when team registration opens.
Still have questions? Email us at cnywestmtb@gmail.com
QUICK LINKS & RESOURCES
THE BASICS
There are a few sites you’ll visit again and again! We’ve collected them here for easy access:
COACHES
NICA’s coach education program helps our volunteers feel confident and competent as the help facilitate and lead awesome youth mountain bike programs. Here are some links to navigate your coach journey:
