The top 4 things you need to know before the season starts
We certainly are very excited for the 2020 season! The third MICL season is right around the corner and the Bolts want to provide you with the top 4 things you need to know to get ready.
1. Readying equipment: Have you, or your participant, been off your bike for the winter season? If so, we encourage you to check out your bike and helmet over the next few weeks, prior to the start of the season. For your bike, follow the ABCD’s.
· Air: pump up your tires to make sure they are holding air. If 30 minutes after you’ve pumped them up, they have lost air, you may need a new tube, or to revisit your tubeless solution.
· Brakes: pick up the front of your bike, spin the front wheel and squeeze the front brake. Do the same with your rear wheel. If the wheels do not stop, there is squeaking, or don’t move freely, you may need a brake adjustment.
· Chain: pick up the rear of your bike and spin the peddles with your hand; or take it for a spin outside. Make sure the chain moves freely, without a lot of noise and can make it through all the gears without any issues. If it sounds crunchy, the chain may need to be lubed, or the gearing may require some adjustments.
· Drop: pick up your bike and hold it a few inches off of the floor, keep the wheels even and drop the bike down on the wheels. Do this several times. There will be some rattles, but you want to make sure that your wheels are stable, and nothing falls off of your bike.
· Helmet: put your helmet on, tighten it, making sure it still fits and is ready for the season.
If you find anything during your bike or helmet check, feel free to bring your bike to your local Race Pace bike shop, to get it checked out prior to the season!
2. Pit Zone: Pit zone is the place where riders can register for the season and will open on April 1st. We will send a note to all riders and parents once it opens as a reminder to register.
3. Calendar of events: As a reminder, our calendar of events, practices and races is posted on the Team App. You gain access to the app once you become a member of the team. Please let us know if you need help accessing the app or navigating any of its features. The season, and therefore practices, officially begin with July. We encourage you to check out the calendar and sign up for the practices and events you will be attending, so we can ensure we have the coaches needed to cover each event.
4. What’s new for the 2020 season: We have some new things planned this season about which we are very excited!
· Preseason events: we have several preseason events planned, starting in April, to get the team together before the official season kicks off. Check out the calendar on the Team App for more information. The events include a visit to Opies and several group rides.
· Swag: get excited because we have some awesome swag on the way: new jerseys, t-shirts, socks, stickers, water bottles, shorts, hats, and more! You’re going to want this gear!
· Workouts: one of our coaches is an expert in all things fitness and has offered to put together off-the-bike workouts for our riders. While practices and on-the-bike training are really important, maintaining fitness off the bike is also really important to help improve overall riding, fitness and bike handling skills. These workouts are of course optional, but something we’ll offer in case riders find them helpful.
· Races: obviously the races aren’t new but stay tuned for the racing schedule to be released; one of the races will take place on our Patapsco home trails!
· Bolts Marketing: have you seen our new website? If not, please go check it out at www.boltsmtb.com. As we go, it will continue to be updated; we are planning to add a meet the coaches section shortly. Also, please visit the Facebook and Instagram pages to follow, like and share the posts!