As mountain bikers, the trails are our playground.

The Teen Trail Corps program provides NICA student-athletes the opportunity to get involved in trail maintenance efforts and to use their voices to advocate for increased trail access.

As we continue to get more kids on bikes through our NICA teams, these teams quickly become visible users of local trail systems where other community members may recreate, including hikers and equestrians. Through trail maintenance and practicing Leave No Trace skills, NICA teams can showcase their commitment as stewards of the trails and begin building their reputation in their community.

In 2024, NICA community members spent about 61,476 hours giving back to their communities through Teen Trail Corps. That's more than the equivalent of a full-time staff person working for 15 years straight to achieve the same impact that our collective NICA community achieved in a single year!

Teen Trail Corps - FAQs 

What is Teen Trail Corps?

TTC is a program promoted by NICA, our national league, designed to encourage trail stewardship and advocacy among our student-athletes. Spending time and energy working on the trails they ride brings to life all of our core tenets: building strong minds, bodies, character, and communities! 

https://nationalmtb.org/teen-trail-corps

What type of trail work “counts” as TTC hours?

From the NICA Handbook: "Trail work hours must be completed during the official team practices or under the direction of local trail organizations or trail clubs, and verified by a coach or the trail work organizer." To clarify further, TTC hours can be completed at any trail system, even out of the state, as long as the work has been sanctioned and led by a land manager, trail liaison, or other organization associated with the trails. (Sorry, digging cool trails in the neighborhood woods does not count!)

Do TTC hours need to be verified by the trailwork organizer?

No specific written documentation is required. However, it is expected that a coach or parent present at a trailwork event will share accurate information to be recorded. We trust that everyone will communicate clearly and honestly about TTC hours.

What’s new this year with TTC in Maryland?

Based on TTC hours logged in Pit Zone:

Top TTC male and female riders in each grade will be recognized at the podium at each race event. This will be based on hours accrued between one race event and the next. For the first event, it will be based on the hours accrued between start of registration April 1 to the first event.

At the final event, riders, coaches, and teams who worked the most TTC hours throughout the season will be recognized and celebrated. Team recognition will be based on the mathematical average of hours completed by each registered rider on the team. 

What are TTC Bonus Points?

TTC hours will translate to Bonus Points for individual standing in the season, which are added to their overall series points, as follows:

a. 25 points max

b. Hours 1 – 4 = 5 points each

c. Hours 5 – 9 = 1 point each

For example, a total of 7 hours logged during the season would give (4x5) + (3x1) = 23 Bonus Points. The TTC Bonus Points max out at 25, so that it does not sway the series totals too significantly, although it can make a difference in rider standings.

Is there a cutoff for reporting TTC hours?

Hours should be recorded in a timely manner to ensure accurate and up-to-date information. The league will impose a cutoff of one week prior to each race event to allow time for staff calculation of total hours and Bonus Points, and to avoid any final dump of hours.

Who can record TTC hours in Pit Zone?

Any coach can log TTC hours in Pit Zone for their riders and coaches. Ideally, one coach steps up as the TTC Coach for their team. This coach would be the one to receive information about TTC hours from a trailwork organizer, parent, or other coach; record hours in Pit Zone; look for and promote trailwork opportunities; and be the TTC point of contact. Please consider who might champion TTC on your team and empower them to build up the trailwork culture!

How are TTC hours recorded?

Simply log in to Pit Zone, navigate to the team dashboard, select “Report TTC Hours” and be ready with Date, Location, Zip Code, Type of Land Manager, and number of hours worked by individual team participants.

Why is it important to participate in TTC?

We want our students to grow as more than awesome mountain bikers. We want them to grow as awesome humans! Our riders have the power to influence each other in positive ways and even inspire people in our communities to advocate for our sport and our trails. If we empower our young people to engage in their trail communities now, they are likely to become lifetime trail stewards.

Who can we contact with TTC questions, concerns, and great ideas?

New this season, MICL core staff includes a Teen Trail Corps Coordinator. You may recognize Kristen Ellis as a long-time coach with Linganore Mountain Bike Team, the MORE co-liaison of Windy Ridge Trails in Mount Airy, and a teen educator. You will see her at race events under the TTC tent. Stop by and say hello! She can be reached at: kristen@marylandmtb.com