About The Mad Hatters Cross Country Mountain Bike Team

The Madison County Composite Cross Country Mountain Bike Team- “Mad Hatters”- comprises of private, public, and homeschool student-athletes in grades 6-12 from Madison County, Kentucky. The team competes in the Kentucky Interscholastic Cycling League (KICL), a state league under the National Interscholastic Cycling Association (NICA).  Founded in 2009, NICA develops interscholastic mountain biking programs for student-athletes across the United States. NICA provides leadership, services, coach licensing and training, insurance, and governance for local leagues to produce quality mountain bike events. 

-2024 Team Goals-

The Mad Hatters team goals are simple: have fun, ride, and race safely, and include and value every rider.   

• Establish and promote a culture of inclusiveness where youth can participate in the sport of mountain biking at all levels 
• Support local and regional trail organizations as they promote the sport of mountain biking, build, and steward trail systems 
• Improve community health by getting people to be active on outdoor trail systems  
• The team culture is welcoming, safe, and fun for all: athletes, coaches, and parents. 

We teach mountain biking as a life-long activity for good health, to develop a connection to the outdoors, and to enjoy nature with their families and friends. While athletes learn skills and gain fitness, coaches teach respect, teamwork, self-reliance, and confidence. Our athletes learn skills such as changing flats, how and why to carry appropriate gear and tools, trail management, advocacy, and land conservation.  

This is a unique high school and middle school team environment. There are no cuts: everyone rides and contributes to the team no matter his or her ability level. Students who wish to compete (racing is not required) will have numerous opportunities to race spanning the state of Kentucky during the Fall 2024 race season. Last season’s races were held:

• Veteran's Park Lexington, KY 
• Land Between the Lakes State Park Gilbertsville, KY
• Buffalo Lake Park Elizabethtown, KY
• Barren River Lake State Park in Lucas, KY
• New England-Idlewild in Burlington, KY