FAQs

What does my rider need?

• A working mountain bike (kickstand removed)

• A properly fitted helmet

• Water - either a water bottle or Camelbak-style backpack for hydration

• We strongly recommend a snack for practice

• All racers need to wear either a Hopkins race jersey or the complimentary team t-shirt during the race. Most racers wear a jersey. Jersey sales open in the summer and you must order early to receive jerseys in time for the first race. Make sure you are receiveing our emails so you are alerted to jersey sales. Email us here to be put on the list: hopkinsmountainbiketeam@gmail.com

• Please reference the images above for more details, or contact the team with specific questions. We're here to help!

When are practices?

• Coach-led practices are on Tuesday and Thursday evenings riding the mountain bike trails at Theodore Wirth from 5 to 7 p.m. Time will be adjusted to accommodate school schedules and earlier sunsets. We meet at the Beach House at Theodore Wirth Parkway. 

• Optional Captain's Practices will take place on either Monday or Wednesday of each week. Our coaches are not present for these practices, but most Captains have been coaches for Loppet Trail Kids and have experience leading groups of young riders. The intent of these Captain's Practices are fun and team bonding.

• We start practicing in July and continue practicing until the State race October 11-12.

• All riders (Racing and Adventure) practice together as one Hopkins MTB Team.

• All riders are invited to various team building events, like pasta parties and Dirt Camp. Email us to be placed on the mailing list to stay up-to-date on these details. hopkinsmountainbiketeam@gmail.com

Can parents ride along at practices? 

Absolutely, we encourage it! We need parents to ride along at all practices to maintain appropriate rider/coach ratios. If we don't have enough coaches/parents, we can't practice. Don't worry, parent ride alongs do not lead groups on rides. All skill levels are welcome! Parents who choose to ride along with us must have a background check and a signed waiver before participating. Contact a coach to learn more.

What if my child likes mountain biking but isn't sure about racing? 

MCA offers a refund policy for first time racers. Details here. We encourage you to check out Wirth on Wednesday mountain bike races, which take place throughout the summer at the Theo Wirth Trailhead. These are fun and easy ways to give racing a try, and you're sure to see a few Hopkins riders at each race. 

If racing isn't for you, join the Hopkins MTB Team as an adventure rider and enjoy all the fun parts of being on the team (practices, events, t-shirt), minus the racing.

Where do we race in the 2025 season?

Hopkins MTB is racing in the following:

• August 23-24: Schindler's Way - Austin MN. Race details from the MCA here.

• September 20-21: Gamehaven - Rochester, MN. Race details from the MCA here.

• September 27-28: Whitetail Ridge V2 - River Falls, WI. Race details from the MCA here.

• October 4-5: Pine Valley - Cloquet, MN. Race details from the MCA here

• October 11-12: STATE CHAMPIONSHIP at Mount Kato - Mankato, MN. Race details from the MCA here.

How do I sign up to race?

Race registration must be completed through the MCA by August 1. There are no exceptions. Check back in April for 2026 registration information.

What time does my rider race?

• Middle School races on Saturday. The first race begins at noon.

• High School races on Sunday. The first race begins at 8:30 a.m.

• Hopkins races in the D1 category.

• Click on the specific race on the MCA website here to find exact race times. 

• Racers need to be at the course at least an hour before their race to prep and start warming up with a coach.

Where does my racer line up to race?

• The MCA determines each racer’s “call up” number based on last year’s results. 

• Racers are placed at the starting line according to their call up number.

• New racers with no race history will be placed at the back.

• Call up numbers are published on the race website on Thursdays. 

• Click on the specific race on the MCA website here to find call up numbers. 

Do we get to ride the course in advance?

• Yes – these are called pre-rides and it’s a great way to scope out the course before the race. There are multiple opportunities to pre-ride. Click on the specific race on the MCA website here to find pre-ride schedules. 

• All riders must pre-ride with a coach. Coaches will communicate pre-ride times on Slack closer to the race weekend.

• This is not a “practice race.” The pre-ride should be a slower ride to better understand the course so you are ready for your race.

• All riders/coaches must have their race plates on before they can pre-ride. Coaches will distribute race plates at the race venue 

Is there a team bus that transports all racers to the race?

No. Each racer is responsible for getting to the races. 

Does this mean I should stay the night?

It depends on how early you want to get up and drive to races. We recommend all riders get a pre-ride in before their race. If you want to stay the night, you can check Slack to get an idea of where other families are staying.

What should my racer wear?

• All racers need to wear either a Hopkins team jersey or the Hopkins Captain’s T-shirt. Jersey orders closed in June. If you need a jersey, join our Slack to see if any families have extra jerseys.

• Riders can race in athletic shorts or biking shorts.

• Remember, we have a limited supply of Hopkins MTB-branded socks and sunglasses for purchase here!

What do parents do during races?

Hang out at the tent and cheer on our racers! It’s helpful to bring a lawn chair. Race weekend is a great vibe. If you can, stay for the day to cheer on our team. Our team tent is stocked with snacks and beverages to keep our riders and their families nourished. On race week, we’ll send a sign up to ask parents to contribute.

What should I bring to races?

• Food for your racer: Make sure your racer is hydrated and nourished before the race. There are food options at the race, but there can be long lines and might not be the most nutritious food. The team tent has snacks, not food. Plan accordingly for your racer.

• Food for your family: Same as above – the tent has snacks and there are limited options on-site. 

• Lawn chairs if you want to sit at the tent.

• Walking shoes: You’ll be doing a lot of walking. It’s often a long walk from the parking lot to the team tent, and you’ll be walking back and forth from the team tent to the start line/finish line.

• Folding wagon: might be handy to haul all of your gear.

• Team gear and snacks: we rely on our parents to help us stock the team tent with snacks and drinks. We also rely on our parents to haul gear to and from races. Watch for volunteer/contribution opportunities on the sign-up genius the week of the race. Thank you in advance for pitching in!

What if I still have race questions?

Check out the MCA Race Weekend FAQs here or contact a coach to learn more.

What is the Lettering Criteria?

In order to be eligible for a Hopkins Letter, as a member of the Hopkins Mountain Bike Club, a student

athlete must meet each of the following 3 requirements.

1. Performance Criteria: Eligibility is met if any of the following are met:

a) Any racer competing in Varsity

b) Any racer finishing in the top 50% of JV3 at the end of season ranking

c) Any racer finishing in the top 5 end of season ranking for their category or top 3 in any individual

race.

d) Any racer who scores team points in three or more races.

e) Coach's discretion based on an athlete’s participation and performance over several years.

2. Compete in all races (DNF will count as athlete participation). The only exclusion would be for

illness or family emergency. Only one exclusion per season is allowed and it must be approved by the

Coach/Team Director.

3. Complete minimum of 3 hours of community service related to cycling. Athletes must obtain

approval from Coach/Team Director prior to service project start.