Parents & Volunteers - Welcome to RMBT!
Everything parents need — from TeamSnap communication and volunteer signups to race-day roles and booster club support. Ready to help? We make volunteering easy and impactful.
Parent Booster Club - Get Involved
Big Ideas,
Real Impact.
The RMBT Parent Booster Club supports fundraising, sponsor outreach, social media and promotion, acquiring team items, organizing special events at practices, and fueling the team on race days — in short, they’re the reason our team runs so well. If you’d like to help or learn more, email the Booster Club.
Preseason Riding Plan(Highly Recommended)
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Preseason Riding Plan(Highly Recommended) *
Riders are strongly encouraged to begin riding on May 1 to prepare for the season. This plan is designed to help all riders show up to the first practice ready to ride, not just survive.
Follow your group and stay consistent. That matters more than anything else.
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Break your preseason into three phases:
First 3 weeks of riding → Rebuild
Next 4 weeks → Build
Final 3–4 weeks before practice → Prep
Move to the next phase as the weeks pass. No need to track exact dates.
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PHASE 1: REBUILD (First 3 Weeks)
Shake off winter. Keep it easy.
2–3 rides per week
30–45 minutes
All riding at as easy, full conversation pace
PHASE 2: BUILD (Next 4 Weeks)
Add time and a little effort.
3 rides per week
40–60 minutes
1 ride:
4 x 1 minute at a hard, few words spoken pace
PHASE 3: PREP (Final 3–4 Weeks Before Practice)
Get ready for practice intensity.
3 rides per week
45–60 minutes
1 ride:
5 x 1 minute at a hard, few words spoken pace
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PHASE 1: REBUILD (First 3 Weeks)
Shake off winter. Keep it easy.
3 rides per week
45–60 minutes
Mostly easy to steady pace, full conversations up to short sentences
PHASE 2: BUILD (Next 4 Weeks)
Add time and a little effort.
3–4 rides per week
60–75 minutes
1 ride:
4–6 x 2 minutes at a hard, few words pace
PHASE 3: PREP (Final 3–4 Weeks Before Practice)
Get ready for practice intensity.
4 rides per week
60–75 minutes
1 ride:
5 x 3 minutes at a hard, few words pace
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PHASE 1: REBUILD (First 3 Weeks)
Shake off winter. Keep it easy.
3 rides per week
60–75 minutes
Mostly at an easy (full conversation) to steady (short sentences) pace
PHASE 2: BUILD (Next 4 Weeks)
Add time and a little effort.
4–5 rides per week
75–100 minutes
1 ride:
3–4 x 6 minutes at a hard (few words) pace
PHASE 3: PREP (Final 3–4 Weeks Before Practice)
Get ready for practice intensity.
5 rides per week
90–120 minutes
1 ride:
5 x 5 minutes at a hard (few words) pace
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WEEKLY STRUCTURE (ALL GROUPS)
Use this simple pattern:
Ride 1 – Easy (full conversation)
Ride 2 – Steady (short sentences)
Ride 3 – Workout (intervals listed above)
Ride 4+ (if assigned) – Longer steady ride
IMPORTANT RULES
Consistency wins
Multiple steady rides each week beats one big ride
Stay in control
If you feel worn out, shorten the ride or ride easier
Don’t race your friends
Save that for the season
Ride anywhere
Trail, road, or gravel all count
Keep it fun
If you enjoy riding, you’ll improve faster
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2 times per week:
RLC Online MTB Coaching - https://www.rlc-mtb.com/
“Mastering Mountain Bike Skills” - https://www.llbmtb.com/product/mastering-mountain-bike-skills-3rd-edition/
High School Lettering
RMBT offers the opportunity for riders to earn a varsity letter based on commitment, performance, and team participation throughout the season.
Lettering is designed to recognize:
Consistent practice attendance
Race participation and effort
Positive team contribution and attitude
Skill development and progression
Representing the team well on and off the course
Specific requirements and criteria will be clearly communicated at the start of the season. Download the full lettering requirements here.
Questions about lettering can be directed to head coaches at practices or by email.
Team communication
All team communication is via TeamSnap (practice schedules, cancellations, group messages) and email. Please download TeamSnap and add info@rochmtb.org to your email address book so we don’t end up in your SPAM.
Also see our TeamSnap How-To Manual!
MCA Sporting Regulations
The Rochester Mountain Bike Team operates under the official rules and guidelines set by the Minnesota Cycling Association (MCA). These regulations cover race rules, athlete expectations, safety standards, scoring, and more.
We encourage all families, riders, and coaches to be familiar with these guidelines.
👉 View the 2025 MCA Sporting Regulations
https://minnesotacycling.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/2025-MCA-Sporting-Regulations.pdf
Volunteer - Race Days and More (Very Easy - Very Impactful)
Volunteering is how we run home races, feed the team, and keep riders safe. Typical roles: course marshals, timing help, food/meal setup, check-in, kid wrangling, and tent support. Most roles are simple and we always train volunteers on site. Per MCA expectations, teams are expected to support race organization — it’s a big part of community racing. See MCA race weekend FAQs and volunteering info below.
RMBT Team Gear
Gear is optional, but every bit of team representation helps build our culture and community!
From hoodies and hats to tees and more—there’s something for everyone.
Want to represent the team off the bike?
Our Rochester Mountain Bike Team gear store is open with tons of options for riders, parents, and fans. Whether you're at races, around town, or just want to support the team, this is a great way to show it.
Quick Practice & Race Checklist
Mountain bike in good working condition (ABC: air, brakes, chain).
Helmet - required for all riding.
Water bottle or camelback - required at practices.
Basic multi-tool, spare tube/tire plugs for riders who can be independent.
Team jersey required for racers.
(Full equipment guidance in the handbook)
Inclement weather plan (practices)
Lettering Requirements
Rochester Mountain Bike Team high school riders may earn a varsity letter by demonstrating commitment, growth, contribution, stewardship, and sportsmanship throughout the season.
Riders must first complete the team’s foundational expectations, including practice attendance, team community participation, and trail stewardship. After that, riders may earn a letter through one of two pathways:
Performance Pathway
For riders competing in MCA races.
Participation Pathway
For riders who may not race but demonstrate a strong commitment to practices, personal goals, improvement, team contribution, and additional stewardship.
Riders who intend to pursue a varsity letter must notify the Head Coaching Staff of their selected pathway.
The full 2026 lettering criteria, including attendance expectations, race requirements, stewardship requirements, time trial improvement standards, and coach evaluation information, are available at the button to the left.
Useful Links
MCA main site: https://minnesotacycling.org/
MCA Sporting Regulations: https://minnesotacycling.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/2025-MCA-Sporting-Regulations.pdf
Race weekend FAQs: https://minnesotacycling.org/race-weekend-faqs/
Volunteer info: https://minnesotacycling.org/volunteering/