About PGH EAST

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The Pittsburgh East Composite Mountain Bike Team was founded in 2016 and is open to students grades 6-12 who attend public, private, or homeschool in the East areas of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.  We currently have students from Franklin Regional, Gateway, Hempfield, Pittsburgh, Fox Chapel, Greensburg Salem, Latrobe, and Penn Trafford.

​We are members of the Pennsylvania Interscholastic Mountain Bike Cycling League (PICL) which is a member of the  National Interscholastic Cycling Association  (NICA).   In 2022, there were over 50 teams and 1200+ riders across Pennsylvania - a 50% increase in participation since 2020.  Nationally, there are over 30,000 riders in 35+ leagues across the United States. 

Riders will be training to ride/race on singletrack trails in state parks and national forests.  NICA courses are designed to challenge riders physically, yet not put them in harm's way.

The five core values of NICA are:

• Inclusivity: No bench warmers, every finish counts.
• Equality: No tryouts; everyone rides.
• Strong body: Lifelong fitness and good health start here.
• Strong mind: NICA student athletes are students first.
• Strong character: Work hard, play fair, respect.​​

COACHES
Our Head Coach is NICA Level 3 certified and other team coaches are NICA Level 1, 2, and 3 certified.  This training includes:  Federal/State criminal background checks, Pennsylvania Child Welfare Checks, CDC Heads Up Concussion Training, and NICA Risk-Management. 
 

TEAM VALUES
In addition to the NICA values, PGH East  is built on a foundation of: 

• Fitness:  Biking helps students become mentally and physically stronger.
• Enthusiasm:  Learn the thrill of riding as individuals and a team. 
• Fun:  Mountain biking is a rewarding and enjoyable lifelong activity.
• Experience: See and do hard things in the great outdoors.
• Friendship:  Teammates and competitors become friends on and off the trail.