FAQ

Frequent Questions

So, you have questions.  No worries!  Here are a few questions we anticipate might be on your mind. 

If you think of questions that aren’t answered here, LET US KNOW!  If we get asked enough, we will likely update this page.

The Chain Lynx Jr. Devo Mountain Bike Team (Chain Lynx MTB) is run by a dedicated group of volunteers.  You can learn more about these folks on the ABOUT page.   

Chain Lynx MTB is a member of the Utah High School Cycling League (the Utah League). 

The Utah League, in turn, is one of over 30 affiliate leagues of the National Interscholastic Cycling Association (NICA).  These leagues span the United States.

These organizations provide education, training, events (like races), licensing, and insurance for student athletes, coaches, and volunteers.

The riders on Chain Lynx MTB will be in either 7th or 8th grade in August 2024 (so current 6th and 7th grade students are eligible to register for the 2024 season).

Because this is a mountain bike team, each rider needs an appropriately sized mountain bike.  Safety is paramount.  Both before and during the season, we will work with each rider (and parents) to determine if a particular bike is suitable for training and racing.  The bike must have:

• 26-inch, 27.5-inch, or 29-inch wheels;

• at least five gears; and

• front and rear brakes with significant stopping power (this is best achieved by having disc brakes). 

You do not need a full suspension bike; many of the fastest racers ride bikes without a rear shock.  Bikes sold at department / big box stores are not up to the demands of the trails we will be riding.

Here is the breakdown of relevant dates:

PRE-SEASON runs April 1 through May 31.  The team  may not conduct any training rides during pre-season.  Instead of training, we will use this time to handle team registration, conduct a bike check, a bike maintenance workshop, and a skills clinic. Specific dates for these events will be forthcoming.

REGULAR SEASON runs from June 1 through September 21 (which is the day of our third and final race).  We will train as a team twice each week during June, July, August, and September. 

Once the regular season begins, we will conduct a “130-mile Challenge” where every rider who rides at least 130 trail miles in June (yes, including miles at practice) is rewarded with iron legs and a fancy t-shirt.

During the summer, the team practices are on Monday and Wednesday mornings from 6:30 a.m. to 8:00 a.m.  We alternate practice locations in Corner Canyon, meeting at the Little Valley trailhead on Mondays and the Andy Ballard Arena on Wednesdays.

Once school begins in August, we will shift our remaining weekday practices to Wednesday and Friday from 6:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.

Our team races as part of Region 3 of the Utah High School Cycling League.  Chain Lynx riders race with the other Region 3 Jr. Devo teams.

We will participate in three races in 2024: August 24th (at Manti); September 7th (at Price); and September 21st (at Vernal).

For the full details, head over to the Utah League website Race page (remember, we are part of Region 3).  As race dates get closer, the Utah League provides a detailed Race Flyer from that webpage with course maps and info, “staging charts” (the schedule of who races and when), and other race-pertinent info.  Stay tuned!

The team communicates through an app called TeamSnap.  It is available through any web browser or mobile apps for iOS and Android.  The team will send you an invite to connect with Chain Lynx as part of the registration process. 

Through TeamSnap, we organize the details of weekly practices.  Riders and ride leaders use TeamSnap to indicate that they will be attending each practice so we can organize ride groups in advance, ensuring sufficient adult coaching staff is present for each practice.

Yes!  NICA (the National Interscholastic Cycling Association) requires that you be registered as a ride leader, which is a process we can absolutely help you complete.

Being registered as a ride leader helps ensure student athlete safety and gives you the (relatively painless) training you need to successfully interact with the riders.  LET US KNOW if you are interested in being a ride leader.  It is a great way to volunteer and stay fit!

The team absolutely needs you to be involved, so thank you for being interested.  Everything we do operates through the selfless contributions of volunteers.  Here is what the team and student athletes need from you:

1) Become a regular, dedicated ride leader.

2) Commit to volunteering at races to:

• bring snacks

• help riders with race number plates

• serve as a bike mechanic

• set up / take down our team tents

• help the League set up and take down the race courses.

If you are interested in sponsoring the team (or finding sponsors for the team), please download our 2024 sponsorship letter or reach out directly and we can chat!

First, let’s be clear: we don’t want to issue refunds because we want you on the team!  That said, if your circumstances change during the registration process (or possibly during the season) here is how refunds should play out:

Utah League / NICA fees are non-refundable unless a student rider experiences a season-ending injury.  The Utah League has informed us that they will prorate the refund based upon how much of the season remains.

Chain Lynx Team fees are refundable up until we finalize the teams’s kit and other soft goods order through DNA Cycling.  Once that order is finalized (anticipated to be April 30, 2024), production costs will be locked in and we simply won’t have the money to refund to you.  The bright side is, you’ll still get some amazing cycling clothing.