Riding coach
Ride with an assigned group, encourage athletes, reinforce safe habits, and support the Ride Leader. Applicable NJ NICA registration, screening, training, and licensing are required before coaching on trail.
More adults, more kids on bikes
Ride with the team—or help where you can
Our primary need is for riding coaches who can support safe, encouraging practices. Non-riding help is also valuable, and many responsibilities can be shared or handled only when needed. You do not need to be an expert mountain biker to contribute.
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Ways to contribute
Start with the role that fits
Roles can be shared. A small, dependable contribution is useful even when a formal season-long commitment is not practical.
Ride leader or sweep
Qualified coaches lead pace and route decisions or remain with the final rider so no athlete is left behind. The coach should ride the assigned terrain comfortably and predictably.
New-rider and skills support
Help beginners build confidence with braking, body position, cornering, climbing, descending, shifting, trail awareness, and group-riding habits.
Race and event support
Help with check-in, setup, cleanup, food and water, staging, pit-zone logistics, course pre-rides, equipment transport, or race-day mechanical needs.
Team operations
Support registration, new-family questions, attendance, volunteer coordination, policies, communications, website content, fundraising, sponsorship, merchandise, or administrative projects.
Trails and community
Help with approved trail maintenance, cleanup, community service, school or community outreach, photography, or occasional team events.
The riding standard that matters
NICA coach levels reflect training, responsibility, leadership, first-aid preparation, and coaching experience—not racing speed or progressively harder technical riding. A higher-level coach is not automatically a stronger rider.
The practical Veloraptors standard is simple:
> A coach must be able to ride the assigned route comfortably, predictably, and with enough capacity remaining to supervise and assist athletes.
A Level 1 ride-along coach supports a group under an appropriately licensed leader. Qualified Level 2 or Level 3 coaches may lead or sweep groups on terrain they can ride comfortably. Team leadership assigns routes and responsibilities based on judgment, safety, coaching needs, and actual riding comfort—not title alone.
Getting started
A low-pressure path into coaching
The first step is a conversation, not a long application form.
- 1
Tell us why you would like to coach
Email info@shveloraptors.com with a short, open-ended note. Share what interests you and whether riding or another kind of support sounds most appealing.
- 2
Talk through the best fit
Team leadership can explain current needs, riding groups, beginner support, race weekends, flexible non-riding work, and what level of commitment feels realistic.
- 3
Complete applicable requirements
Adults who coach on trail complete the NJ NICA registration, training, background screening, and coach-licensing steps that apply to their role. Many off-bike roles do not require on-bike certification.
- 4
Join with support
New coaches learn team procedures and work alongside experienced leaders. No one needs to arrive as an expert rider, racer, or youth coach.
Questions
Coaching and volunteering basics
We want the first conversation to be welcoming and useful.
Do I need previous coaching experience?
No. NJ NICA training and experienced team leaders provide the framework for safety, supervision, and youth coaching.
Do I need to be an advanced mountain biker?
No. Riding coaches need safe control and enough comfort on the assigned route to supervise athletes. Coaches can support easier groups, and non-riding roles are always available.
Do I need my own bike?
Adults who ride with the team should use their own safe, trail-ready mountain bike and basic safety gear. Available loaner bikes are reserved for athletes.
Can I help only occasionally?
Yes. One or two practices, Try-It check-in, race setup or cleanup, food and water, photography, trail maintenance, fundraising, transportation, team events, and administrative projects can all help.
Start the conversation
Why would you like to be a coach?
Send a short note. We will help identify an on-bike or flexible support role that matches your interests and comfort level.