With mountain bike racing continuing to grow in popularity with middle and high school students across the state, the Iron Giants Mountain Bike Team is excited to announce that team registration for the 2022 season is now open until May 31 to all Iron County students entering the seventh grade or higher next school year. The team is proud to be affiliated with the Utah High School Cycling League, a nonprofit organization committed to providing a safe and positive experience for every rider, and the National Interscholastic Cycling Association (NICA).

This year, after continued growth, the Utah League added a sixth region and anticipates 7,000 student-athletes to participate in the upcoming race season. The Utah League held its first race in 2012 and that same year became the largest first-year league in NICA history. By 2014 it grew to become the largest league in all of NICA.

“Mountain biking is one of the fastest-growing middle and high school sports,” said Utah High School Cycling League Race Director Ginger Hall. “We attribute this to our amazing volunteer coaches committing to the league’s five core principles of fun, inclusivity, equity, respect and community.”

The Iron Giants will hold two pre-season “Meet the Giants” rides to allow teens the opportunity to ride with the team on May 12th and 19th at 7:00 p.m. at the Southview Trailhead. Prospective team members and their guardians are invited to ride with the team with a functioning mountain bike, helmet and signed waiver.

“I’ll get to meet some of the kids I’ll be on the team with and get to know them before the season starts,” said Ren Knudsen, a new Iron Giants student-athlete. “I’m excited for the fun rides, to have the chance to race and cheer on my teammates.”

The team’s season starts June 1 and runs through mid-October. All levels of experience are welcome and the program is designed to offer a high-quality racing experience to all participants. During the 2021 season, student-athletes are expected to ride trail with the team three days a week and spend additional time learning on-the-bike skills and bike maintenance. They will have the opportunity to race at locations across Utah including Manti, Snowbasin, Price, Richfield and St. George.

The Utah League is scheduled to hold two races in Iron County this season at Three Peaks Recreation Area bringing thousands of student-athletes and their families from across the state to visit and stay in the area.

The Iron Giants are currently looking for financial support from local businesses. Sponsorships will help the team offer scholarships for student-athletes in need, and provide support during the race season. A sponsorship form and list of associated perks can be found at https://irongiants.bike/sponsorship/.

The Iron Giants Mountain Bike Team is a composite team of middle and high school students in Iron County. It doesn’t matter if you’re a beginner or an experienced cyclist, there is a place for you on the team. Student-athletes are encouraged to build strong bodies, minds and character through the lifelong sport of mountain biking. The Iron Giants and the Utah League are affiliated with the National Interscholastic Cycling Association (NICA). For more information visit irongiants.bike or email ironcountymtb@gmail.com.

Cedar City, Utah - Iron Giants Mountain Bike Team is excited to announce that registration for the 2021 season is now open until May 31 to all Iron County students entering the seventh grade or higher next school year. The team’s season starts June 1 and runs through mid- October. All levels of experience are welcome and the program is designed to offer a positive, high-quality racing experience to all participants.

“Mountain biking is the best,” said Iron Giants student athlete Alec Christensen. “I’ve never had so much fun pushing myself and achieving my goals.”

The team will hold several pre-season “Meet the Giants” rides to allow students the opportunity to ride with the team starting April 1 at 5:45 pm at Three Peaks Recreation Area. Prospective team members and their parents are invited to ride with the team with a functioning mountain bike, helmet and signed waiver. An all-girls ride will be held on May 1 at 10 a.m. at Three Peaks Recreation Area, as part the Girls Riding Together (GRiT) program, that was created to encourage more females to participate in mountain bike racing and coaching. All pre-season activities are listed on the team’s website https://irongiants.bike.

“Being part of GRiT has helped me realize how strong I am, and that with hard work the sky's the limit,” said Iron Giants student athlete Sadie Holm. “Being an Iron Giant has made me a better mountain biker. The team is so fun to be around and when I’m racing, and can hear them cheering me on, it gives me the extra push to do my best.”

During the 2021 season, student athletes are expected to ride trail with the team three days a week and spend additional time learning on-the-bike skills and bike maintenance. They will have the opportunity to race in cities across Utah including Cedar City, Richfield, Moab and Manti.

Each student athlete is responsible for their own transportation to practice and races, bike, bike supplies and helmet.

The Iron Giants are currently looking for financial support. Sponsorships are available and will help the team offer scholarships for student athletes in need, and provide support during the race season. A sponsorship form and list of associated perks can be found at https://irongiants.bike/sponsorship/.

Iron Giants are proud to be part of the Utah High School Cycling League and are excited to celebrate the organization’s 10th year of racing. From 320 student athletes in 2012 to over 5,000 projected racers in 2021, the Utah High School Cycling League continues to provide a safe and positive experience for Utah’s teens and their families. With the philosophy that “nobody rides the bench,” student athletes are encouraged to build strong bodies, minds and character through the lifelong sport of mountain biking. The Iron Giants and the Utah League are affiliated with the National Interscholastic Cycling Association (NICA).

To register your student athlete, or for more information visit https://irongiants.bike or email ironcountymtb@gmail.com. For more information on the NICA GRiT program, visit https://www.utahmtb.org/grit.

With many summer events cancelled this year, safely setting off fireworks with family is an exciting way to celebrate the Fourth of July holiday. The Iron Giants Mountain Bike Team will sell TNT Fireworks at the Smith’s Food and Drug parking lot in Cedar City as a fundraiser for their race season equipment and supplies. The tent will be open July 1-4 and student athletes will be working from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. each day to help customers celebrate Independence Day with fun and fireworks.

“It’s more than selling fireworks,” said Danny Hall, head coach of the Iron Giants. “This fundraiser is an opportunity for all of our student athletes to do their part to help the team. This is our second year selling TNT Fireworks and it’s been a great way to earn what we need to support these kids.”

During the 2020 season, team members will have the opportunity to race in cities across Utah, including Midway, Richfield, Huntsville and St. George. Cedar City will host two weekend races for the Utah High School Cycling League, which brings hundreds of student athletes and spectators to town this fall to compete at Three Peaks Recreation Area.

“Riding with my friends helps me feel normal again,” said Ava Knudsen, Iron Giants student athlete. “While I still can’t do many of my favorite activities, riding my bike is something that hasn’t changed.”

The team’s goal is to provide an inclusive experience for each teen and enable them to strengthen body, mind and character through the life-long sport of cycling. Student athletes train during the summer months by riding trail, learning on-the-bike skills, bike maintenance and trail etiquette.

The Iron Giants is a composite team of middle and high school students in Iron County and is part of the Utah High School Cycling League and the National Interscholastic Cycling Association (NICA) league. For more information visit irongiants.bike or utahmtb.org.

Cedar City, UT (April 1, 2019) – The Iron Giants Mountain Bike Team, a composite team of middle and high school students in Iron County, will hold “Meet the Giants” bike rides at Three Peaks Recreation Area on April 22 nd and April 25 th from 6-7 pm. Prospective team members and their parents are invited to ride with the team with a functioning mountain bike, helmet, and signed waiver.

“If you’ve ever wondered if the mountain bike team is a good fit for your student, this is a great opportunity to meet the coaches and get familiar with the trails the team regularly rides,” said Susie Knudsen, coach and team parent of two Iron Giants. “I love that my girls are learning a lifelong skill and an appreciation of the outdoors.”

The team will also hold parent meetings for the 2019 race season on April 8 th and April 10 th from 6-7 pm at the Cedar City Aquatic Center. Students interested in joining the team are encouraged to come find out what’s expected this season. All skill levels are welcome, there are no tryouts, and everybody rides.

Danny Hall is the Iron Giants’ head coach and has over nine years of experience coaching teams in Utah and Texas. Originally from Texas, Hall moved to Cedar City in 2014 to enjoy all the outdoor opportunities the area offers.

“Although racing is an important aspect of the league and team, it’s so much more than that,” said Hall. “We are about creating and fueling a lifelong passion for cycling. I love riding my bike, it makes me smile!”

During the 2019 season, team members will have the opportunity to race in cities across Utah, including Eagle Mountain, Richfield, Price, and Cedar City.

The team is looking for financial support from local businesses. Team sponsorships are available and help student athletes with the support they need to thrive during the race season.

The Iron Giants are part of the Utah High School Cycling League and the National Interscholastic Cycling Association (NICA) league. For more information email ironcountymtb@gmail.com or visit www.facebook.com/IronCountyMTB.