Pedaling Preservation
Cultivating Young Trail Stewards and Advocates through the Wisconsin Interscholastic Cycling League
By Renee Griswold, WI Interscholastic Cycling League Director
Photos Courtesy of Wisconsin Interscholastic Cycling League
Mountain biking is experiencing remarkable growth in Wisconsin. This is thanks in large part to the Wisconsin Interscholastic Cycling League, a chapter league of the National Interscholastic Cycling League (NICA). It boasts nearly 2,000 co-ed student athletes and 1,000 highly-trained volunteer coaches spread across over 90 teams statewide. Student athletes and coaches set new records in numbers of hours worked. From July through October, many trail systems across the state come alive with the energy of these teams, as student-athletes hone their skills, build endurance, and, most importantly, enjoy the thrill of biking with friends.
The mountain biking community feels a sense of responsibility for the trail systems it uses. The NICA Teen Trail Corps program cultivates community and fosters the next generation of trail stewards and advocates. As NICA leagues across the country continue to grow, NICA teams become highly visible advocates for responsible trail use and caretakers of the environments they cherish.
Under the leadership of Mike Seiler, Wisconsin’s TTC Coordinator, Wisconsin NICA teams have a unique opportunity to showcase their commitment to trails and establish a positive reputation within the local trail community. Beyond fostering community relationships, Teen Trail Corps opens doors to land steward partnerships, creating a pathway for collaboration with land managers to identify new locations for team practice and potential event venues.
Since 2013, Mike Seiler’s involvement as a coach and parent has driven him to share the extraordinary riding opportunities available to Wisconsin’s youth. Regular engagements with fellow enthusiasts at trailheads have become second nature, ensuring that families with young riders are aware of the WI NICA teams in their communities.
Seiler’s conversations play a pivotal role in dispelling the notion that trails magically appear overnight. Instead, he emphasizes that trails are crafted and maintained by individuals dedicated to nurturing the sport of mountain biking, while preserving the beauty and integrity of the land they traverse.
Surprisingly, a considerable number of Wisconsinites remain unaware of the extensive network of singletrack spanning across state, municipal, and private lands. TrailForks, a comprehensive trail database, identifies a staggering 225 riding areas and 25 skill parks distributed across 3,436 trails in Wisconsin. Further, the Rails to Trails Conservancy highlights 101 rail trails in the state, collectively covering an impressive distance of over 1,000 miles. The remarkable fact is that the mountain biking (MTB) community and the abundance of trails in Wisconsin appear to be an accidental secret, leaving many yet to discover these hidden gems.
The Teen Trail Corps initiative by NICA is spearheading the integration of trails, advocacy, and the rider community into the mainstream. The exemplary 2023 season showcased the remarkable capabilities of TTC and the WI League, emphasizing their focus on advocacy, education, training, and volunteerism.
In a collaborative effort, the League partnered with the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) and local stewards to co-sponsor a Trail Care Course. Led by Joey Klein, with the support of Mike Repyak from IMBA Trail Solutions, this course drew participation from twelve trail stewards across the state. The comprehensive training delved into trail planning and remediation techniques, empowering attendees with valuable insights. Notably, participants received a copy of the IMBA Trail Solutions Guide, equipping them with knowledge to enhance their local trail communities. The intention was to inspire and empower these trail stewards to contribute to the growth and improvement of trails in their respective areas, thereby fostering a positive impact on the broader mountain biking community.
The 2023 season marked a historic milestone with the NICA community in our state, as student-athletes and coaches achieved 4,596 trail volunteer hours, the highest ever in Wisconsin. Wisconsin League’s dedication and efforts stood out, securing the first position among the nation’s other NICA leagues for volunteer work on state park lands, amassing an impressive 826 volunteer hours in the parks alone. Furthermore, Wisconsin earned a place in the top 10 for the total number of workdays attended by volunteers, underscoring the commitment and collective impact of the state’s NICA volunteers. This remarkable achievement not only highlights the passion within the Wisconsin mountain biking community but also showcases the state’s leadership in fostering a culture of volunteerism and community engagement.
Also in 2023, Seiler secured a grant from the American Trails “Trails Capacity Program” through the Bronco Wild Foundation. Collaborating with the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) and the Southern Kettles Off-Road Riders (SKORR), these funds were allocated to vital maintenance and emergency access projects at the Emma Carlin trails within the Southern Kettle Moraine State Forest. Through this project, volunteers enhanced medical access routes and expanded trail accessibility.
The work of the Teen Trail Corps involves not only days spent with shovels and tools in hand but also vocal advocacy efforts directed towards government officials. Coaches and student-athletes actively participated in legislative letter-writing campaigns initiated by the Wisconsin Bike Fed. These campaigns aimed to impress upon representatives the critical importance of increased and targeted trail funding. The collective voice of the mountain biking community was channeled through these written appeals to advocate for the sustained development and maintenance of trails.
In a proactive approach, teams around the state attended town halls in their communities to advocate for trails. Some teams even added a unique touch by riding bikes to the meetings, hosting wholesome tailgating to create an exciting atmosphere while passionately sharing their love for mountain biking with community leaders.
Notably, teams along Milwaukee’s North Shore successfully persuaded their communities to approve the construction of additional trails at one of Milwaukee County’s few authentic mountain bike trail systems. This accomplishment reflects the teams’ dedication to expanding trail opportunities and underscores their influence in shaping local trail infrastructure.
More than 1,200 volunteers within the Wisconsin NICA community have found immense satisfaction in mountain biking advocacy and support. Many become integral members of the stewardship network of supporters, as they moved from wondering if there was anything they could do to contemplating which of the seven things they should tackle first. The list of opportunities keeps them inspired and eager to contribute their time and skills to the vibrant world of mountain biking.
The Wisconsin Interscholastic Cycling League extends beyond the joy of riding bikes. It champions a robust initiative to instill trail stewardship in the next generations of mountain biking conservationists. The Wisconsin League is committed to imparting knowledge and fostering an appreciation for our natural resources. Through this dedicated effort, the thousands of miles of trails cherished in Wisconsin are poised to endure for decades to come, ensuring a sustainable legacy for future generations of outdoor enthusiasts.
This article was originally published in the 2024 Bike Fed Ride Guide. All active Bike Fed members receive a print or digital copy each spring. Join/renew today to support cycling in Wisconsin and receive our next issue in 2025!