BLOOMINGTON, Minn. – Erik’s Bike and Board Shop – voted Best Bike Shop in the USA – is pleased to announce sponsorship for the newly formed Minnesota High School Cycling League, which will introduce the sport of mountain bike racing to Minnesota high schools this year.
“It’s a privilege to be involved at the ground level for this exciting new program,” said Erik Saltvold, Founder and Owner of Erik’s Bike and Board Shop. “We are excited to help introduce the healthy sport of cycling to high school students throughout Minnesota. Our sponsorship will provide financial assistance and a fleet of mountain bikes to ensure that all youth have the ability to participate in this exciting new high school sport.”
The MN League was selected to be part of the National Interscholastic Cycling Association in 2011 and was organized to support the involvement of high school (grades 9 – 12) student athletes in safe, quality high school mountain bike programs throughout the entire state of Minnesota. Teams will begin forming Spring 2012. Skills camps and coaches training will begin Summer 2012. High school mountain bike racing will begin in September 2012.
Gary Sjoquist, Founding Chair for the MN League, is excited for Erik’s sponsorship and support. “I’m pleased to welcome Erik’s Bike and Board Shop as a Founding Retailer for the MN High School Cycling League,” Sjoquist said. “I‘m also grateful – Erik and I have known each other a long time and it’s great to have his support as we build this league and get high school youth on mountain bikes.”
Upcoming Events
Sun. March 11th, 2012 – MN League Kick Off Open House at Quality Bicycle Products, 6 to 8 pm
Come and join in the fun as we kick off the inaugural race season! Parents, coaches, volunteers, and student athletes invited. Stop by and learn how to start a team, what gear you’ll need, how practices will work, and check out MN league t-shirts, posters, stickers, etc. At our “Connect Zone” you’ll meet other parents and students from your community who also want to start a team. Parents will learn about the coaching process, how to volunteer at our races, and how to help build the league. Free pizza and refreshments, and valuable auction items you’ll need to start racing. Make plans now to attend the MN League Kick Off at QBP. Directions to QBP at http://www.qbp.com.
Sat. April 14 – Sun. April 15, 2012 – First Annual Leader’s Summit at Quality Bicycle Products
The Leaders’ Summit brings together coaches, assistant coaches, ride leaders, and parent volunteers—both new and experienced—to develop skills and knowledge, share strategies, build community, and meet licensing requirements. This conference will promote a holistic approach to coaching that creates an environment in which young people can grow and thrive. This is a great opportunity to spend a weekend in the company of peers and energize for the upcoming season.
More details about the MN League and upcoming events can be found at.
About Erik’s Bike and Board Shop
Erik’s Bike and Board Shop is a leading bike and snowboard retailer with 18 locations and growing: 14 locations in Minnesota, 3 locations in Madison, WI and a brand new store in Eau Claire, WI. For information on Erik’s Bike and Board products and events, go to http://www.eriksbikeshop.com.
About the Minnesota High School Cycling League
The Minnesota High School Cycling League promotes personal development and teamwork through bicycle racing, and encourages the formation of teams at public and private high schools. With the cooperation of local race promoters and our sponsors, the League organizes a first class series of races designed for high school aged riders. The League makes high school racing the easiest route for youth to get involved in the challenging and exciting world of competitive cycling. The Minnesota League is generously supported by founding national sponsor, Specialized Bicycle Components, as well as SRAM, Trek Bicycles, Jeep, Clif Bar and Co., Primal Wear, GU Sports, Maxxis, QBP, Adidas, Kinetic, Yakima, Fox Racing Shox, CamelBak, Crank Brothers, Dirt Rag, Feedback Sports, Fort Lewis College, Mountain Bike Action and WTB. For more information about the MN League, visit http://www.minnesotamtb.org.
- Minnesota’s High School MTB League kicks off this September.
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