What's the first thing that comes to your mind when you hear the words 'Biting Goats?' You probably don't think of it as the name of a mountain biking team, but that's exactly what it is.
The Biting Goats have opened registration for all youth grades 6-12 as they prepare for their 12th season, which begins in July.
A member of the National Interscholastic Cycling Association, or NICA, the Biting Goats is a team composed of students from several areas and schools, including Rexburg, Sugar City, St Anthony and Ashton.
The team began in 2015, which is also when Idaho’s NICA mountain biking league was formed. Any youth and parents involved can enjoy the outdoors through mountain biking with no tryouts necessary. Athletes can expect fun events in the preseason, weekly practices once the season begins, and races which start in August.
Michael Ballard is the team director for the Biting Goats. He says his team has one overarching goal.
"More kids on bikes," Ballard said. "As many kids on bikes as want to be. We don't put a number on how many students can join. It's to just get more kids riding and out there in the mountains and in the fresh air. Less time on screens."
Ballard estimates there will be around 60 youth on the team this year, but the Biting Goats have had as many as 120 students in the past and there is no limit to the number of kids who can join the team.
The team isn't just for youth. Parents are invited to be part of the team by coaching either their youth or other students. Coaching is how Ballard fell in love with the team.
"My first year four years ago, I decided I was going to ride with my son, not just drop him off at practice," Ballard said. "I found out how much I enjoyed it because I had never done it before. Now, four years later, I'm the team director."
There is also a girls-only group called 'GRiT,' which aims to give girls the opportunity to ride together and feel more comfortable in the competitive space. GRiT’s goal is to have more girls participate in NICA athletics.
Any youth who register by the May 18 deadline will be able to receive custom clothing, such as jerseys and socks, that have the Biting Goats logos on them. The Biting Goats jerseys are pretty popular.
"Our race jerseys are some of the most talked-about jerseys in the league," Ballard said. "People really like the look of them. They like the mascot of the 'biting goat.' It's an unusual one."
For more information about registration, practice and race dates and more, visit the Biting Goats’ website.