Charlottesville kids are an active bunch. They take part in sports, arts, and community-focused clubs and activities. For some of them, mountain biking has become their activity and community of choice thanks to the work of many local groups.
“The goal from the beginning was to make sport an adventure,” says Peter Hufnagel, League Director and Founder of the Virginia Interscholastic Cycling Association (NICA). The mission of NICA is simple: to get more kids on bikes. While some young riders aim to compete at the national level, many just come out to ride with friends a few times a week. “We provide experienced racers a venue to progress in the sport and achieve national-level goals,” Hufnagel explains. “And we provide a venue for beginners to try mountain biking in a supportive and welcoming environment.”
At its heart, NICA is about more than medals or podiums. It’s about building strong minds, bodies, and community through bikes. It’s also inclusive for all educational journeys: mountain biking is one of the few high school sports where homeschooled students are welcome.
Cville Kids on Wheels
Charlottesville and Albemarle County are true hotspots of junior racing. Every public high school has its own team, and several schools even have dedicated mountain bike courses. Independent schools like Miller School of Albemarle have nationally ranked endurance programs and some of the best trails in the state.
This strong infrastructure draws riders from West Virginia, Maryland, North Carolina, and Pennsylvania, all seeking points that can qualify them for national-level competition.
“Since joining the MTB community, our son has gained so much confidence,” share Claire and Chris Farrish, whose son raced for Field School. “During these pivotal middle and high school years, few things are as impactful as what this sport and community continue to give him: camaraderie, sportsmanship, friendship, discipline, and a deep well of inner strength.”
That spirit shone this summer at the USA Cycling Endurance National Championships in Roanoke. Local athletes brought home an impressive array of medals:
- Wes Mattson (Charlottesville Racing Junior Cycling Team) won gold in the 13–14 Short Track race (XCC)
- Evan Padgett-Waller (Miller School of Albemarle) earned bronze in the Cross-Country Marathon (XCM)
- Lily Agnew (Charlottesville Racing/VAHS) claimed silver in the Junior Women’s 17/18 Cross-Country Olympic (XCO) with Zanna Logar finishing fourth
- Quinn Kramer (Charlottesville Racing Club Junior Cycling Team) placed third in the 11/12 Junior Women’s XCO, followed by Elodie Chupick (independent) in fourth
Sam Braden, a Charlottesville Racing high school senior, finished her grueling 43.5-mile race after injuries and setbacks. “This race was never about winning or even a top ten,” she says. “It was about proving to myself and the kids that I coach that you can truly do anything with a little hard work and support from the right people.”
Virginia Mountain Biking Events for Kids
Central Virginia’s Virginia High School Mountain Bike (VAHS MTB) Series hosts four major races each spring and fall at beloved local venues. This fall, racers in grades 5–12 will compete at Miller School of Albemarle, Stokesville, Monticello, and Woodberry.
Stokesville is a crowd favorite, held at the scenic Stokesville Campground and known for its festival atmosphere. If you’ve never attended a mountain bike race before, picture festival vibes meets high-speed action. Team tents circle the course, the emcee keeps up a steady stream of music and racer updates, and the sidelines are packed with cheering families.
Unlike many sports, nobody leaves once their race is done. Riders sprint between cheering sections to support their friends, teammates, and even competitors. It’s a joyful, tight-knit scene you have to see to believe.
Find Mountain Biking Groups for Cville Kids
Mountain Biking for All Ages
- Cutaway Mountain Bike Team, andy@cutawaybikecamp.com
- Charlottesville Racing Junior Mountain Bike Team, crcjrmtb@gmail.com
- Virginia Interscholastic Cycling League, Peter Hufnagel peter@virginiamtb.org
High School Programs
- Albemarle High School, William Brannock, headcoach.ahsmtb@gmail.com
- Charlottesville High School, Lisa Green, lgreen67@gmail.com
- Monticello High School, Rachel Miller, monticellomtb@gmail.com
- Western Albemarle High School, Laura Allen, Wahsmtnbike@gmail.com
- Miller School of Albemarle, Andy Guptill, aguptill@millerschool.org
- Blue Ridge School, Tony Brown, tbrown@millerschool.org
Cville Families Riding Together
Keeping young riders safe and supported takes a full community. Local bike shops like Blue Ridge Cyclery play a crucial role.
“Local riders need help making sure their equipment is set up correctly and safely, especially when first getting into the sport,” explains owner Shawn Tevendale. “A strong local bike shop provides things the internet cannot—they know the riders, the trails, and how to set them up for success.”
Charlottesville Racing Club (CRC) is now the region’s largest composite junior mountain bike team, with over 100 athletes from first through twelfth grade. “It has proven to be the most important thing that I do,” says CRC director Reed Muehlman. “I reach more people and do more good as a coach than anything else I’m involved in.”
Parents are deeply involved, too. Many become NICA-certified coaches, riding alongside their kids. “I started coaching to make sure my son had a safe environment to ride,” says Albemarle High School head coach William Brannock. “It is a lifelong sport and comes with an amazingly supportive community.”
Coaching levels are based on skill and comfort, and all coaches receive safety training and background checks. Even parents who don’t ride can take on team support roles—cheering, organizing snacks, or keeping track of gear.
Father-son duo Forrest Cory III and Forrest Cory IV recently completed a 70-mile race together in Pennsylvania. “Being able to coach and ride with my son and see him progress and build friendships and MTB skills along the way is something that I don’t think you can find anywhere else,” says Cory III. “The best part is both the skills and the friendships are ones he can take with him long after his racing days are over.”
“It has proven to be the most important thing that I do. I reach more people and do more good as a coach than anything else I’m involved in.”
– Reed Muehlman, director, Charlottesville Racing Club
A Sport for All Seasons
Mountain biking doesn’t stop when the school year ends. Local leaders like Andy Guptill, Peter Hufnagel, and Brian Purdy host summer camps at Miller School for every level—from beginner riders to advanced race camps.
“My first Cutaway camp was a boys’ weekend camp, and it inspired me to keep mountain biking because it was super fun,” says Miller School student Mat Hultgren. Overnight camps give older teens the chance to train on new trails across Virginia, make friends, and build confidence.
“It was a lot of fun getting to know the people that I have competed against,” says Quinn Kramer of CRC. “I made new friends and got to know my competitors in a friendly way. Riding the nationals course several times before the race made me feel more comfortable and confident.”
Charlottesville Mountain Biking Trails
- Preddy Creek – 16 miles of trails from beginner to advanced. There is something for everyone. The original long Preddy loop and several newer trails across the river. Rooster Run or Valentines Loop are local favorites.
- Mint Springs – Less beginner friendly than other county parks, Mint Springs features a significant amount of climbing and several new trails. Recommended for intermediate to Advanced riders. There is a great view from the rocks on the Ridge Trail.
- Biscuit Run – Easily accessible trails in south Charlottesville with many new trails coming soon.
- High School Trails- Albemarle, Monticello, Western Albemarle, and Miller School all have great trails to check out (after school hours).
Virginia Mountain Biking Trails
- Blue Ridge School – a network of over 20 miles of mountain biking trails for various skill levels. The trails range from beginner-friendly routes to more challenging intermediate and advanced options.
- Pocahontas State Park – 44 miles of single-track directional mountain bike trails and approximately 64 miles of gravel fire roads. Regardless of your skill level in mountain biking, this trail system has a trail for you. All the trails meet up at the same kiosk so it is easy to break into groups for a trail and then meet back up.
- Douthat State Park – 40 miles of trails ranging from beginner to advanced showcasing the fast trails and rocky terrain that the Appalachian mountains are known for.
More Than a Sport
Junior mountain biking is so much more than competition. It’s a place where kids learn resilience, teamwork, and joy—and where parents can share the adventure right alongside them.
As the Virginia NICA motto reminds us: Everybody rides.
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