Ride With Us

Welcome to the Team

The Marshall Shredhawks is a youth mountain biking team that competes in the Indiana NICA (National Interscholastic Cycling Association) League. We welcome riders of all skill levels from grades 5-12.

What We Offer

• Skill Development: Professional coaching to improve your mountain biking techniques
• Fitness & Fun: Build strength, endurance, and confidence while having a blast
• Teamwork: Be part of a supportive community of riders and families
• Competition: Participate in NICA races throughout Indiana (optional)
• Trail Access: Ride on the best local trails in Marshall and surrounding areas

Before the Season Starts

New to the team or still deciding? Come check us out at one of our preseason events at Ketchum Park — no commitment required.

Season Schedule

As the season goes on and the sun starts setting sooner, we'll shift practices slightly earlier as needed so we have enough daylight.

Have a scheduling conflict like another sport? That's okay — talk to us. We can work with families to make it possible to be part of the team.

Practice Locations

Practices rotate between a few local trails. The specific location for each practice is shared with riders ahead of time.

• Ketchum Park 731 Montgomery St, Marshall, MI 49068
• Grever's Nature Center 12369 Verona Rd, Battle Creek, MI 49014
• The Dump 900-998 Willow St, Marshall, MI 49068

Saturday Rides

On top of our weekday practices, we host optional Saturday rides throughout the season — a chance to explore new trails, get extra time in the saddle, and ride with teammates just for the fun of it. These aren't official NICA practices, and they're open to all team riders regardless of skill level.

We've mapped out a Saturday spot for every weekend of the season. Race weekends are on the schedule too, so it's easy to see what's happening each weekend. Check out the full lineup below:

Saturday Ride Schedule Tap to view

Here's our Saturday plan for the season. Race weekends are marked — those are Indiana NICA races, and you can find full venue details on the Indiana NICA race series page. Saturday rides are optional, and any last-minute changes are shared with riders during the week.

• Aug 8 Bennett Park — Charlotte, MI
• Aug 15 Plumb Lake County Park — Sturgis, MI
• Aug 22 DTE Energy Foundation Trail — Chelsea, MI
• Aug 29 🏁 Race 1 — Stoney Run County Park — Hebron, IN
• Sept 5 Meyer Broadway Park / Warnaar Trail — Three Rivers, MI
• Sept 12 Burchfield Park — Holt, MI
• Sept 19 🏁 Race 2 — Potato Creek State Park — North Liberty, IN
• Sept 26 Fort Custer MTB Trail Head — Augusta, MI
• Oct 3 🏁 Race 3 — Muscatatuck Park — North Vernon, IN
• Oct 10 Maple Hill — Kalamazoo, MI
• Oct 17 🏁 Race 4 — Southwestway Park — Indianapolis, IN
• Oct 24 Yankee Springs — Middleville, MI
• Oct 31 Team Choice — rider's pick!

Regionals

The season wraps up with Regionals on November 7th in Fayetteville, Arkansas — and it's open to everyone, no qualifying required. It's an incredible experience: a huge race with hundreds of riders, plus an expo where kids can check out gear and even meet representatives from colleges.

High schoolers can race at Regionals. Middle schoolers are welcome to attend and take it all in — they won't race until high school, but it's a great chance to see what a big event is like and get inspired. We can practice right up until Regionals, so there's plenty of time to get ready.

Requirements

• Currently enrolled in grades 5-12
• Own or have access to a functioning mountain bike: knobby tires, working hand brakes (no coaster brakes), and gears
• Helmet required at all practices and races
• NICA membership (team will assist with registration)
• Parental consent and waiver

How to Join

1. Reach out through our contact form — just parent and rider names and an email to get rolling
2. We'll follow up with an invite and the next steps
3. Attend an informational meeting or practice session
4. Complete registration and NICA membership
5. Get your gear ready and hit the trails!