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About Us

Who are the South County Coyotes?

This will be the sixth year for the South County Composite Mountain Bike Team, aka "the Coyotes," in the NorCal High School Cycling League, the founding league in the National Interscholastic Cycling Association (NICA). As a composite team, the team is comprised of full-time students from Morgan Hill, San Martin and Gilroy *. Riders of all levels of experience are invited to join and participate. Student athletes, grades 6-12, can participate in rides and races. Boys and Girls are encouraged to join! This is a co-ed team!

This is a club sport, meaning no try-outs. Students can join the team to participate as adventure riders (non-competition riders) or immerse themselves in competitive racing (approximately 5 races per season). Not all kids want to race and that is OK! South County welcomes all interested mountain biking teens to join this community.

Our team provides a platform for students to train, learn bike-handling skills and develop team camaraderie. We practice as one team but may break out into groups depending on skill and speed. At races, high school student athletes compete at four levels as specified by NICA Placement Criteria depending upon past performance and age including Freshman, Sophomore, Junior Varsity and Varsity categories. Middle school student athletes compete in their grade-specific categories, grades 6-8.

*To participate with the South County Composite team, students must attend middle school or high school in the Morgan Hill, San Martin or Gilroy areas. Participating schools include: Sobrato, Live Oak, Gilroy, and Christopher, Mt Madonna, Pacific Point, Gilroy Prepatory, GECA, Oakwood, Martin Murphy, Britton, Charter School of Morgan Hill, Jackson Academy, San Martin Gwinn, Stratford, St. Catherine's, Solarsano, Brownwell, South Valley, and Extreme Learning Academy. Home school students are also welcome. As this is a composite team, we are not directly affiliated with any one school.

Our Mission

The South County Composite Cycling Team was created to provide student athletes the opportunity for personal growth through mountain bike riding and racing. We want to create lifetime cyclists and build lasting friendships with teammates and build respect for themselves, each other and the environment.

Equality, Inclusivity, Strong Mind, Strong Body and Strong Character are the five core values of the National Interscholastic Cycling Association (NICA). Student athletes learn bike skills and much, much more.

You want to ride bikes?

Individual training is available with coaches who will meet athletes at their current developmental phase. Coaches will provide instruction starting at beginner levels for those riders who are working on basic mountain bike skills and developing fitness. Coaching support ramps up to those with intermediate to advanced bike handling skills who have higher levels of endurance within the varsity divisions. Every effort is taken to provide fun, safe rides and races. All coaches go through extensive training and background checks to minimize risks. The team is also insured through NICA.