Frequently Asked Questions

County Copperheads (previously Carroll County Composite) was formed in 2018.  The co-ed team consists of twenty-one student-athletes from both high and middle schools throughout Carroll County. The team offers an outlet to students who are not interested in traditional high school sports or who want to ride in addition to their participation in other sports. Everyone is welcome.  Our team members have ranged from  students who had previously never been on the trails to one student athlete who participated in the USA Cycling Mountain Bike National Championship. Coaches are all volunteers trained by MICL.  We are still a composite team, but voted to change our name at the end of the 2021 season.

The Maryland Interscholastic Cycling League is part of the National Interscholastic Cycling Association (NICA).  MICL was organized in 2017 to provide a fun, safe and high-quality mountain biking program for students in grades 6 to 12. Regardless of ability level, the Maryland League is committed to providing a positive experience for all student-athletes. The league’s mission statement is to enable every Maryland teen to develop a strong mind, a strong body and strong character through lifelong participation in cycling.

You can find out more about them by visiting the MICL website.

NICA or National Interscholastic Cycling Association is the nationwide organization that oversees the state leagues such as MICL. Please visit the NICA website to see their mission, vision and values statements and to learn more about the association.

 From the 2022 NICA Handbook, a student must meet the following criteria:

• Be enrolled in middle school (grades 6-8), or the homeschool equivalent, and be no younger than 10 and no older than 15 years of age at any time during the entire school year
• Be in high school (grades 9-12), or the homeschool equivalent, and be no younger than 13 and no older than 19 years of age at
• any time during the entire school year
• Not have a high school diploma, general education diploma (GED), or otherwise be graduated from high school.

A list of basic equipment is provided on our Let's Ride Page under the What to Bring section.  

From the 2022 NICA Handbook:

• Mountain Bikes Only
• 26 to 29 inch wheels not narrower than 1.75 inches. If as student is unable to ride these wheel sizes, a smaller wheel size can be ridden with League approval.
• No drop bars
• No single speed bikes. Bikes must have multiple gears including at least five cogs in the rear.
• Front and Rear Brakes. Fully operational and adjusted to provide significant stopping power. Brake pads must not be worn below recommended limits. It is recommended that bicycles be inspected by a mechanic before every race.
• Hands on Bars; No Bar Ends.  Your hands must be within reach of the brake levers.
• Handlebar End Caps and Stem Caps are required.

In addition to the equipment listed above, you will need to register with MICL through the NICA Pit Zone. Your account will be established by the team director before you can log in. The registration includes the six events from September to November. Registration fee for the season including all 6 events is $300 per student.

The team itself is committed to fund itself through fundraisers and sponsors, so there is no student dues for the team.

Absolutely! First you need to sign a NICA Waiver. There is one for students considering riding and one for adults considering coaching. Fill out the one you need.  Next use our Contact Us page to request information about our practice times and locations. Print out the NICA Waiver, and bring it with you when you join us for one practice.  Please understand this can only be done once.

Please, go to our Contact Us page and send us an email.  We will be happy to answer any and all questions for you! In addition, the NICA Handbook has in-depth information about the rules and regulations for the leagues.