January 8, 2026
If you have spent any time in the foothills, you have probably seen at some point a long line of mountain bikers on the trails. The first high school mountain bike teams began riding in Idaho in 2015, as the sport has exploded over the past 30-40 years. Each year, high school teams in the Treasure Valley have grown exponentially. Students can begin riding as young as 6th grade. The Idaho National Interscholastic Cycling Association (NICA) is the governing body for high school teams. Their mission is that “everyone rides and trains together in an inclusive ‘challenge by choice’ supportive team environment.”
Angie Michaels, a mountain bike coach at Timberline High School, enjoys her coaching experience with the team. Her stepson, Luke Michaels, rides for the team and asked her to help coach. High school mountain bike teams are family-oriented and often include family members who coach and camp together at races, fostering a strong sense of community within the mountain biking community. Michaels emphasizes that mountain biking is inclusive, welcoming riders of all skill levels to join the team. She often takes on the role of “the Shag,” encouraging the last rider and ensuring their safety during rides. Each team group has at least two coaches, so if someone is injured or has a mechanical issue, the other coach can continue with the rest of the group while providing assistance to the rider in need.
Michaels shared that each coach receives specialized training that includes learning the values: Fun, Inclusivity, Equity, Respect, & Community. Each coach learns about NICA Philosophy, Safety & Risk Management, Athlete Abuse Awareness, Concussion Training, and more.
There are 15 school mountain bike teams in southwest Idaho listed on the NICA website. If you are interested in coaching a team or looking to sign your kids up to ride for a team, here are your contacts:
Bishop Kelly
Team Director: Matt Davis – madmatty87@yahoo.com
Connect with the team – Website / Facebook / Instagram
Boise High School
Team Director: Carolyn Park – carolyn@boisemtb.org
Connect with the team – Website / Facebook / Instagram
Borah High School
Team Director: Ryan Froehlich – ryanfroehlich@hotmail.com
Canyon County Composite (Nampa, Meridian)
Team Director: Rob Tuft – roberttuft@gmail.com
Capital High School
Team Director: Kelli Ellsworth – ellswortk@gmail.com
Centennial High School
Team Director: Jennifer Fonnesbeck – fonnesbeck.jennifer@westada.org
Connect with the team – Website / Facebook / Instagram
Eagle High School
Team Director: Brian Graham – brianjgraham17@gmail.com
Connect with the team – Website / Facebook / Instagram
Emmett High School
Team Director: Michael Brune – mbrune@isd221.net
Connect with the team – Website / Facebook / Instagram
Middleton Vikings High School
Team Director: Estee Ragsdale – esteerags@gmail.com
Connect with the team – Website / Facebook / Instagram
Mountain View High School
Team Director: Michael Aaron – aaron.michael@westada.org
Connect with the team – Website / Facebook / Instagram
Northstar Charter
Team Director: AJ Davidsen – aj.davidsen@northstarcharter.org
Rocky/Owyhee Composite
Team Director: Steven Kurtz – stevenbkurtz@gmail.com
Sage International High School
Team Director: Bryan Brandel – bryanbrandel@gmail.com
Connect with the team – Website / Facebook / Instagram
The Ambrose School
Team Director: Chris Salove – salove.chris@gmail.com
Timberline High School
Team Director: Dru Nakaya – drunakaya@gmail.com
The high school leagues have a calendar, so you can plan your ride accordingly.
From Ridge to Rivers, these are trail etiquette tips:
Group Mountain Ride Etiquette
The Ridge to Rivers Trail System is popular, and use increases in the warmer months. If you ride with, or are organizing a group ride, please consider adopting the following recommendations to help minimize your impact on other riders and hikers using the trails:
Standard mountain bike etiquette is for the downhill rider to yield to the uphill rider. However, imagine how many times a downhill rider will need to stop if they come across a large group of uphill riders. When you are riding as part of a large group, factor in other users’ experience. Consider having your group yield to downhill riders, and remember to always yield to walkers and runners.
Ride in groups no larger than 10 to 12.
If you have a larger number of riders, please consider splitting your group up and either leaving at different times, or riding different loops.
