About our team!!
The Lincoln Junior High School team is a 501(c)3 nonprofit and was organized in 2014. We are a member of ARKANSAS N.I.C.A, and the National Interscholastic
Cycling Association. We are focused on the development and coaching of student athletes in grades 5th, 6th, 7th, and 8th.
Our team provides the education, training, licensing and insurance for coaches and volunteers. We also provide a high-quality mountain bike racing experience that emphasizes the value of each participant (no one is benched), camaraderie among peers, a positive sporting behavior and the cultivation of health over competition.
OUR MISSION:
WE BUILD STRONG MINDS, BODIES, CHARACTER, AND COMMUNITIES THROUGH CYCLING
OUR VISION:
EVERY YOUTH IS EMPOWERED TO BE PART OF A THRIVING AND ENGAGED CYCLING COMMUNITY
OUR VALUES:
FUN, INCLUSIVITY, EQUITY, RESPECT, & COMMUNITY
Lincoln Junior High Mountain Bike Team History
LJHS Mountain bike team was developed in 2015. Our founder Coach Tim Keith was encouraged by the National NICA leadership to start a team the first year NICA started in Arkansas. Coach Keith attended a Leadership Retreat for Coaches in Alabama and came home to create the Lincoln Team with grew out of the Ardis Ann Middle School Bike Club. The very 1st team started with around 15 riders, Coach Keith, Coach Christian Falcon and some awesome parent volunteers.
Coach Sam Pearson came to the team the third year and became the Head Coach. Coach Keith then worked as the Team Director. Together they worked to improve practice, recruitment, and development processes for athletes and additional coaches. Coach Sam raised the quality of coaching tremendously and helped recruit and train quality coaches and created a practice structure that enhanced the success of all our riders, beginners to experienced. Over the years, Coach Sam continued to make sure that our chief goal was to keep our kids safe. His nickname became “Safety Sam”. After 10 years Coach Keith and Coach Sam are still working to help coach and develop student athletes. In 2024, Coach Keith and Coach Sam passed their roles to Coaches Jessica Green as Team Director and Sean Goode as Head Coach. Practice is typically at Lincoln Junior High School
Monday and Wednesday
Season Schedule
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January - March Season Preparation.
Team Director and Head Coach plan practices, recruitment, in person coach training, and fund raising.
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April - June Preseason.
Teams will have ride recruitment camps, cookouts, volunteer workdays, and trail education opportunities.
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July - August Practice Season.
Our team will practice on Monday and Wednesday evenings. With optional Saturday longer rides for all groups.
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September - Early November.
4 races across the state and practice continues.
Why Mountain Biking?
- Mountain biking helps develop strong bodies, strong minds, self-confidence and strong character.
- Members of a mountain biking team become more interested in a healthy lifestyle that includes regular exercise, healthy eating habits and smart decisions regarding drugs and alcohol use.
- The sport calls for a wide variety of physical and mental skills such as agility, balance, determination and focus.
- Cycling is a lifelong sport.
- Mountain biking allows kids to connect with the outdoors.
What our student athletes and coaches say about NICA!
