Anaija Johnson

Riley Amos got his start riding and racing in mountain bikes in Durango, CO as part of the Animas High School NICA team, winning state champs while also going on to win four national champion titles. He rode for Trek’s Bear Devo team and later signed a pro contract with Trek Factory Racing, where he’s consistently stood on World Cup podiums since his inaugural year with the team. In 2024, Riley dominated the U23 world cup scene, earned the highest-ever ranking for a US male at the Olympics with a 7th-place finish, and won the title of XCC Short Track U23 World Champion.

“NICA was a huge part of my life growing up and really was what planted the seed in me to try and make it as a professional mountain bike athlete. I learned what it meant to be a part of a team, where we looked out for one another and supported each other on good and bad days. I had so much fun traveling all over Colorado every weekend each fall and making memories on and off the bike. Through NICA I have met lifelong friends and had incredible coaches who have had a major impact on my life.”

Gwen Sepp is a Utah League alum, participating her junior and senior year of high school (2019-2020). She is currently president of her university’s cycling club, works at a local non-profit/bicycle shop, and volunteers as a NICA coach with the Utah League.

“One weekend, after the race season was over we went up to Guacamole Mesa and had an unofficial ride with all of the girls and a few of the female coaches on the team. That ride helped me break through so many of the mental barriers that were holding up my progression as a rider. It was so powerful to be able to learn from not only my female coaches, but also my teammates, many of whom were younger but more experienced than I was. That ride cemented in my mind the importance of female leadership in a male-dominated sport. There is something very powerful about watching a woman succeed at something you are working towards.”

Bailey Cioppa
Founders’ Circle Member

Bailey Cioppa is a Colorado League alum, riding with the league all of highschool (2018-2021). Bailey currently races professionally for the Bear National Team and the US National Team.

“NICA taught me how to love riding my bike… and to be patient, because in my 4 years of high school I went from barely on the podium and in the top 10 to winning every race my senior year”

Madigan Munro is a Colorado League alum, who participated in the league all four years of high school (2016-2020). She currently races professionally for Trek Factory Racing and the US National Team.

“NICA taught me what it meant to be a true teammate and leader among a team. NICA was a place where everyone felt welcome and motivated to be the best athlete and human possible, and this is something I never want to lose in my career as a professional cyclist.”

Olivia Nicholls is an Arizona League alum, riding with the league all four years of high school (2013-2016). She currently works at NICA on the Development team as a Partnerships Manager.

“I think everyone should have the opportunity to experience sport. It’s a never-ending lesson about the human experience, and everyone will take something different from it into their adult lives. People are stronger together. Humans rely on the communities built around us. By creating a space where everyone is welcome, we create that infrastructure for the next generation. The more, the merrier!”

Hannah Otto is a SoCal League alum who participated in the league all throughout high school (2014-2018). She currently races professionally as an independent rider with support of Pivot and DT Swiss.

“NICA offers kids the opportunity to feel empowered. It provides a safe environment for kids to test their abilities and surprise themselves with what they are capable of. Cycling teaches life lessons by offering challenges that can be overcome with hard work and the support of your community. “

Ezrie Camp is a Texas League alum, who rode with the league from 8th grade through her senior year of high school (2017-2022). She currently is a student at Texas A&M, and volunteers her time as a NICA coach and works on the Texas League core staff team as a medical coordinator.

“The thing about NICA and riding bikes in general is that there is a place for everyone. From beginners to the advanced elite, everyone is included and has a place in bike riding that is fitting for them. Also the encouragement and support that the people in the NICA community provide makes it like one big family.”

Gwendalyn Gibson is a SoCal League alum who participated throughout high school (2013-2017). She currently races professionally for Trek Factory Racing and the US National Team.

“NICA helped me prepare for the future in a number of ways. I was able to develop as an athlete learning the basics of how to ride and race which have been so important to my professional career. Even more so, NICA’s core values, strong body, strong mind, and strong character encouraged me to be hardworking, respectful, and honest. I will carry those traits with me for life no matter what my endeavors are.”

Eddie Anderson is a Virginia League alum, participating during his sophomore, junior, and senior year of high school (2015-2017). Eddie raced professionally on teams Alpecin-Deceuninck and Axeon Hagens Berman for 6 years after graduating high school.

“Cycling is a lifelong sport, and introducing more boys and girls to a sport they can do their entire life is amazing. Thank you NICA for helping me find my love for the bikes, competition, the lessons I learned, and for being the foundation for my professional cycling career.”

Carly Koppe is a Colorado alum, who rode with the league her senior year of high school (2018). She currently coaches for the Corvallis Composite team in the Oregon League.

“NICA is an awesome way to get connected in the community over a common theme of the love for riding. NICA does a great job including everyone no matter the skill level, making it an inclusive and supportive community. It is a great way to get outside and become a better rider/teammate, and inspire others to try to bike.”

Carina Bilodeau is a NorCal alum, riding with the league her sophomore, junior, and senior year of high school (2010-2013). She is currently a NICA coach for her alma mater San Ramon Valley Mountain Bike Club (SRVMTB).

“NICA is a landing place for so many different types of people. NICA’s value of ‘more kids on bikes’ encourages kids of all backgrounds to get outside, go places they might not have gone before, challenge themselves, and learn how to be a good teammate. After being the only woman on my college mountain bike team and witnessing how hard it is to get more women in the sport, my main passion is getting more girls on bikes.”

Brad Thurgood is a Utah alum who rode with the league his junior and senior year of highschool (2012-2014). He currently works as the Director of Operations & Logistics for the Utah League.

“I grew up racing bikes long before NICA came to Utah. I was always the odd one out, nobody knew what cross country mountain biking was. Then, NICA came to Utah and I was no longer the odd one out. My friends, Family and community grew exponentially because of NICA. If you think Disneyland is the happiest place on earth, I’d highly encourage you to attend a NICA event.”

Blair Whitted is a NorCal alum; he participated in the league his sophomore and junior year of high school (2014-2015). He currently is a finance student at MSU Denver.

“Bicycles are enchanted with a certain magic. A bicycle is not just a vehicle for transportation, but a catalyst for character, a creator of community, and so much more. Getting more people on bikes, and especially more kids on bikes, is vitally important because bicycles are the future. More kids on bikes means building a foundation of human beings that are in-touch with their communities, their environment, and themselves.”

Ally Scheunemann
Founders’ Circle Member

Ally Scheunemann is a Pennsylvania League alum, riding with PICL her junior and senior years of high school (2017-2018). Ally currently resides in Washington State and works as a park ranger in the summertime and as a ski instructor in the winter.

“Without NICA, I don’t think I would have realized the number of opportunities that were available to me in the outdoor industry. The connections I made with other members of my team, my coaches and the Pennsylvania League staff helped shine a light on my love for the outdoors and community that I don’t think I would have gotten until later in my life.”