Question 1

Who is eligible to join the team?

Accepted Answer

Girls and boys in 5th thru 12th grades are eligible to join. 
You do not need experience in mountain biking and there are no tryouts.

Question 2

Do you need experience in mountain biking to join the team?

Accepted Answer

No, however your student athlete should know how to ride a bike without assistance.  We are not an extreme sport; we do not conduct downhill races or do stunts on bikes.  We teach basic fundamentals necessary to ride a mountain bike safely on cross country trails.

Question 3

Is mountain biking just for boys or can girls join too?

Accepted Answer

Mountain biking is for everyone! As long as your student athletes are in 5th-12th grade, they're eligible to join our team.

Question 4

I’m not sure I would like mountain biking. Can I try it out first before joining?

Accepted Answer

Yes!  Mountain biking is new to a lot of kids so we offer a no commitment "Try It Out” for fun practice session to allow kids to experience it first without officially joining the team. This typically runs about an hour and can go as long as 3 hours. The time you spend with us is flexible and is completely up to the student.  Each student is allowed one "Try It Out" practice session per season.  Visit our TIO page on our website or contact us for more information.

Question 5

My child is homeschooled. Can he/she still join the team?

Accepted Answer

Yes!  As long as your student athlete is in 5th-12th grade when we begin our Fall preseason session.

Question 6

My kid participates in other sports will she/he still be able to join Catskill Claws?

Accepted Answer

If the other sport's practice schedule conflicts with our practice schedule, then we don't recommend it. 
Do to our limited seasonal opportunities to hold team practice sessions, attending practice is an important key to becoming proficient, and our practices are progressive with each being dependent on the previous.

Please keep in mind that if your child plans on joining another sport that conflicts with our practice schedule this will only make it more difficult for your athlete to acquire the skills necessary to ride the trails safely with team.

Question 7

When does the season start and end?

Accepted Answer

Registration starts in September.  Practices begin in October and continue through December (weather permitting).   We resume practices in February and end in June.
Race Events are held April thru June.
We end our season in June.

Question 8

How much does it cost to join the team?

Accepted Answer

Catskill Claws registration fee for the 2025-2026 season has yet to be determined.   
Your seasonal registration for 2025-2026 season includes a team jersey.

Registration fees for NICA and the New York Interscholastic Cycling League are also required:
*NICA / New York League combined fee is $300.00. New for 2025-2026, the NICA / League registration fee will include Spring race fee events. 
 
Participation in race events is optional for all student athletes. There are 5 tentatively scheduled race events per season. (Weather and other factors permitting).
(All registration fees are nonrefundable. All fees and costs may change without prior notice. Please contact us for updated information)

*(updated 08/11/2025)

Question 9

When and where are team practices held?

Accepted Answer

Practices are held October thru December and again in February thru June.  Practices are usually held on Saturday mornings at Walnut Mountain in Liberty NY or at Lippman Park in the Town of Wawarsing. Weather and trail conditions are a big factor on when and where we hold practice sessions; occasionally practices are postponed to Sunday. 
(Schedule subject to change due to weather and other factors).

Question 10

What is a typical practice like?

Accepted Answer

Practices usually consist of fundamental bike skill instructions, warm up drills, group rides on trails and are progressive in nature as we get closer to the race season.  We practice as a team, and often break into smaller groups by ability.  We are not an “extreme” sport; we do not perform stunts on bikes or conduct downhill races.
Attending practice in any sport is key to becoming proficient and our practices are progressive with each being dependent on the previous.  Thus we recommend attending as many practices as possible. 
Please keep in mind that if your child plans on joining another sport that conflicts with our practice schedule this will only make it more difficult for you athlete to acquire the skills necessary to ride the trails safely with team.

Question 11

What equipment and items does my child need to participate?

Accepted Answer

Below is a brief list of items every student athlete will need to participate at practices.
(This list is not an all-inclusive list, please check with us for any changes to this list)
 
1) Mountain Bike - A functioning and properly maintained mountain bike with at least 5 gears.
 2) Bike Helmet- A helmet for biking that meets bicycle helmet safety standards and is in good condition.
3) Eye Protection- Clear or amber color safety glasses. 
4) Proper Clothing – No loose shorts, pants or other clothing allowed as it can get caught in or on bike parts and may cause injury to the rider. 
Padded bike shorts and padded riding gloves are optional but highly recommended.
 5) Back Pack, Hydration Pack or Hip Pack - To store liquids, snacks, tools and clothing in.
 6) Liquids & Snacks-  Each rider must have a minimum of 2 liters of water or hydration drink and  2 snack items (e.g. power bars, bananas, granola bars, etc.) with them. 
7) Footwear – Riders must wear appropriate footwear (e.g. cycling shoes, light hiking shoes, sneakers).  Open toe shoes, sandals, loafers are not permitted.   
 
This  list is not intended to be all-inclusive. Safety for our students and coaches are paramount. Please check with us for a current up to date list.

Question 12

How do I join the team?

Accepted Answer

Registration opens in September with a limited number of spots being available. Contact us and we will email you a Registration Form.  It can take up to 15 days to become fully registered so it’s best to register as early as possible.  All parents are strongly encouraged to attend our informational parent meeting on Saturday September 20th when registration opens.  This will offer parents the opportunity to meet our coaches in person, and ask questions or discuss concerns you may have, many questions may often be asked by other parents.  Parents should contact us by email info@ccmtb.org (infor@ccmtb.org)for more information to attend. 
Registration opens up in September and practices start in October.

Question 13

Who does the team race against?   Is racing optional?

Accepted Answer

Yes, racing is optional for all student athletes.  However, we try to encourage every student athlete to participate in at least one race event just for the fun of it.
 We race against other teams in the New York Interscholastic Cycling League.  There are approximately 22 teams in the league from all over New York state.  Each team consists of boy and girl athletes in 5th-12th grades. Generally, student athletes compete against other athletes in the same grade level.

Question 14

What kind of commitment does a race weekend entail?

Accepted Answer

A typical race weekend starts with an optional pre-ride on Saturday afternoon followed by races on Sunday morning.
A typical race day (Sunday) starts at 7:30am and continues with an awards ceremony that ends around 4pm.  In order to promote a team like experience, all team members that participate on a league race day should remain present to support their teammates competing during their events.   
We do not provide transportation to race events.  Parents/guardians are responsible for transporting their athlete(s) to and from practices and race events. There are usually 5 races per season and are held in April, May and June. Racing is optional for all student athletes.

Question 15

What are the costs for the races?

Accepted Answer

*New for the 2025-2026 season, the NICA / League registration fee will include registration fees for each race.  There are usually 5 races per season (weather and other factors permitting).  Student athletes receive one electronic chip race plate which they will use throughout the season. Replacement race plates may cost up to $30. 
Racing is optional for all students.  However, we try to encourage every student athlete to participate in race events just for the fun of it.

*Race Fees update for 2026

Question 16

Do you provide transportation to race events?

Accepted Answer

We do not provide transportation to race events.  Parents / guardians are responsible for transporting their athlete to and from race events.

Question 17

How can I make a donation to the team?

Accepted Answer

Donations can be made through our Facebook Page.(https://www.facebook.com/CatskillClaws)  
If you prefer to mail us a check, 
please make checks payable to Catskill Claws Inc. and mail to:

Catskill Claws
PO Box 24
Rock Hill, NY 12775

For your convenience, donations can also be made online through the PayPal Giving Fund link here.(https://www.paypal.com/fundraiser/charity/2838801) (https://www.paypal.com/fundraiser/charity/2838801)

Catskill Claws is a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization and relies on donations to support our team and athletes. 
Your contribution may be tax deductible to the extent permitted by law.

Question 18

How do I become a sponsor?

Accepted Answer

Becoming a sponsor is easy. 
We offer different sponsorship levels to fit everyone's budget. 
Catskill Claws is a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization, and our sponsors make this possible every year.  Our community business partners are featured on our team t-shirts parents receive as part of their registration as well as on our Facebook Page and website.  
Please contact us for more information how to become a Catskill Claws team sponsor.

ATSKILL

LAWS

YOUTH MOUNTAIN BIKE TEAM