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DECORAH -- As the Decorah Iowa Racing Team (DIRT) gears up for its second year of racing, the squad, sponsored through the Iowa Scholastic Mountain Bike League, is calling on all sixth to twelfth-grade students, regardless of skill level or gender, to join their ranks. To provide vital information for both participants and guardians, an informative meeting is scheduled to take place at the Decorah High School cafeteria on Saturday, March 23rd at 9 a.m. Local First Aid, Stop the Bleed, and CPR instructor Steve Vanden Brink will lead a session on mountain biking first aid training for riders. Participants are required to equip themselves with their own riding gear, including a high-quality mountain bike, helmet, water bottle, safety riding glasses, and to submit necessary paperwork before hitting the trails. The Iowa Scholastic race schedule for 2024 is set, with races taking place at various locations throughout the state. The race calendar includes Scott County Park on May 18th, Sugar Bottom on June 1st, Decorah on June 8th, Mason City on June 15th, Des Moines on June 22nd, and Dubuque on June 29th. This year, eight teams are expected to participate. Each race carries an entry fee, with Varsity races spanning 15 miles, JV races covering 8-10 miles, and Middle School races ranging from 4-8 miles. Even elementary students are encouraged to participate, with parents urged to accompany their children on the trails if needed. However, race attendance remains optional, and participants are responsible for arranging their transportation, though carpooling is encouraged. Volunteer coaches, boasting extensive experience in mountain biking, will provide training sessions focusing on handling skills, trail etiquette, and basic bike maintenance. In addition to attending practices, team members and their guardians will assist with trail maintenance efforts. Most practices are held at Carlson Park, where the team eagerly anticipates the arrival of Scholastic racing once bike-optimized trails are constructed. The development of these professionally built trails is currently underway, with Carlson Park raising funds for the project. Decorah holds a special place in Iowa's mountain biking history, having hosted the state's inaugural mountain bike race 40 years ago. DIRT has been the beneficiary of strong support from the local mountain biking community, and expresses gratitude for their assistance and guidance. Speaking on the mission of Scholastic, organizers emphasize the aim to cater to students whose needs may not be met by traditional interscholastic sports, providing an opportunity for young people to engage in mountain biking and experience the camaraderie of team sports. They also stress the ageless appeal of mountain biking, which fosters friendships that can endure a lifetime. For those interested in joining the team or getting involved, inquiries can be directed to decorahmountainbiketeam@gmail.com or via Facebook at Decorah Area Mountain Bike Team.

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DIRT Mountain Bike Team Gears Up for Second Year