DIRECTIONS TO VALLEY LODGE ENTRANCE AT BLUE MOUNTAIN RESORT
Blue Mountain Resort offers up an amazing backdrop in the Poconos for a weekend of Racing and Adventuring. Many members of our PICL community are also familiar with Blue Mountain as a favorite winter ski destination and as PA’s largest downhill mountain bike park.
We’ll be adding to the bike fun at Blue with an exciting, fast cross-country course that will provide no shortage of fantastic spectating and parties in the woods. Blue also offers plenty of on-site, non-NICA Adventure options for nature and thrill-seekers, alike. Join us at our newest PICL favorite, Blue Mountain!
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ALL attendees at Blue Mountain Resort will need to sign THIS waiver prior to arrival on-site.
volunteers
parents
siblings (all ages)
grandparents
friends
campers staying on-site
EVERYONE* who will be at Blue Mountain for the event must sign THIS waiver.
*Student-athletes and coaches who are fully registered in Pit Zone for the 2023 Season have already signed this waiver as part of their registration process. No further action is necessary.
Those who do not sign the waiver beforehand will be asked to do so upon arrival, which may delay your entry to the event.
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*Schedules are tentative and subject to change.
UPDATED 10/13 @ 9 pm
Friday
4:00 PM GRiT Pre-Ride (HS Course - sign up here)*
4:30 PM HS Only Pre-Ride Open**
6:30 PM Pre-Ride Closed
Saturday
7:30 AM HS Only Pre-ride Open**
8:00 AM HC/TD Mtg at PICL trailer^
8:15 AM Last Call for Pre-Ride Start
8:30 AM Pre-ride Closed & All Riders Off Course
8:45 AM Staging V/JV3 Boys
9:00 AM Racing Begins
9:50 AM Staging ALL HS Girls/HS Fun Lap
10:50 AM Staging JV2 Boys (Groups 1 - 4)
11:40 PM Staging JV2 Boys (Groups 5 - 8)
12:30 PM Staging 9th Grade Boys
1:45 PM Racing Concludes
Sunday
8:30 AM MS Only Pre-Ride Open**
9:00 AM HC/TD Mtng at PICL trailer^
9:15 AM Last Call for Pre-Ride Start
9:30 AM Pre-Ride Closed & All Riders off Course
9:45 AM Staging 8th Grade/MS Advanced Boys
10:00 AM Racing Begins
10:35 AM Staging 8th Grade/MS Advanced Girls/Fun Lap
11:25 AM Staging 7th & 6th Grade Girls
12:05 AM Staging 7th Grade Boys
12:45 AM Staging 6th Grade Boys
1:45 PM Racing Concludes
2:15 PM MS Awards
*Meet at the GRiT Tent
^Each team must have a HC/TD/Delegate present.
**Riders/coaches on course during pre-ride must have their number/coach plate affixed to their bike. Ride groups are expected to maintain NICA ratio guidelines. Riders may not pre-ride alone. Pre-rides are for course preview, only, and should be ridden at a responsible pace.
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Online registration closes the Tuesday before the event at 8:00 PM. No day of registration.
In order to participate in this race/adventure ride, students must be fully registered in NICA Pit Zone - the parent dashboard profile will show a GREEN check mark and it will say “Registered” under THIS specific race/adventure ride in Pit Zone.
DO NOT check-in at the Information tent. Riders will get race plates from their Head Coach/Team Director prior to their first event.
DO NOT LOSE YOUR RACE PLATE! You will use this for ALL events. There is a $10 fee to replace plates if lost or forgotten. Replacements are available at the Information tent.
If you have not been invited to register yet in the NICA Pit Zone, please contact your Head Coach/Team Director. Independent riders, please contact PICL Registration at registration@pamtb.org. For questions regarding the NICA Pit Zone, please contact NICA’s Registration Services at registration@nationalmtb.org.
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*Teams electing to pre-ride PICL courses prior to event weekend are subject to venue day use/parking fees and are expected to get permission from landowners/managers prior to arrival. As always, please use care while riding private and public trails as our representation of PICL greatly impacts relationships with PICL venues and their park/trail users.
Blue Mountain Contact Info: John Milby - jmilby@skibluemt.com.
Fees apply for XC trail passes, camping and bike park passes.
Pre-rides on PICL course are limited to bike park hours. Portions of the PICL course may not be available pre-ride from Friday - Sunday due to campers on-site.
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DIRECTIONS TO VALLEY LODGE ENTRANCE AT BLUE MOUNTAIN RESORT
General Admission Parking will be in the main parking lot at Blue Mountain's Valley Lodge. There is no charge. Please follow the designated pedestrian walkway to access the Infield.
Handicapped Parking is located close to the Infield. There is no charge. A handicap placard must be displayed. Spaces are extremely limited - please use discretion.
If Yurt Camping, you may proceed to your yurt’s parking space. There is no charge. Only those who are registered for yurt camping may park in these areas as space is limited.
If Festival Camping, you may proceed to the designated fields for festival camping. There is no charge. Only those who are registered for festival camping may park in this area as space is limited.
The Pit Zone Unloading/Loading takes place along a narrow, dirt road with one-way access. To limit congestion, please use only when necessary for equipment or to transport someone who is unable to walk or ride the distance from the main parking lot. Pit Zone parking spaces are temporary - please promptly move your vehicle after unloading.
Please see the Infield Map and respectfully follow the directions of all on-site parking volunteers, staff and signs. Inappropriate behavior will not be tolerated and will result in immediate expulsion from the event.
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Pit Zone is open for unloading ONLY during the following times:
Friday: 3 - 6 PMSaturday: 7 - 8:30 AM
Saturday: 3 - 5 PM - CANCELED
Sunday: 8 - 9:30 AM - UPDATED
The Pit Zone Unloading/Loading takes place along a narrow, dirt road with one-way access. To limit congestion, please use only when necessary for equipment or to transport someone who is unable to walk or ride the distance from the main parking lot. Pit Zone parking spaces are temporary - please promptly move your vehicle after unloading.
Infield Map
• NO parking in the Pit Zone.
• NO bike riding in Pit Zone - WALK your bike.
• NO grilling, smoking, fires, alcohol, gas generators, or dogs unless clearly marked service dogs in Pit Zone.
• Conflicts and/or disputes should NOT be dealt within the team Pit Zone area. -
Volunteering is one of the best ways to get involved on event weekends. Stay close to the action while helping to ensure the event is a success. Positions are available throughout the event. There’s a spot for everyone!
VOLUNTEER SIGN UP LINK IS HERE!
Once you’re signed up, fill out the volunteer waiver, so you’re ready to roll upon arrival.
Not sure which position is right for you? Check out the descriptions and training videos, HERE.
Still have questions? Email PICL Volunteering at volunteer@pamtb.org.
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GRiT rides are a staple of every PICL event!
SIGN UP FOR FRIDAY PRE-RIDE HERE! We’ll be riding the HS course but MS riders are welcome to join.
SIGN UP FOR SATURDAY PRE-RIDE HERE! We will be riding the MS course but HS riders are welcome to join.
Come visit us a the GRiT tent throughout the weekend for the following:
Saturday: rock painting
Sunday: T-shirt** decorating with stencils
**Bring a light colored t-shirt or purchase one at tent. Very limited numbers available.
Learn more about GRiT awesomeness, HERE!
Questions? Email PICL GRiT at grit@pamtb.org.
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At Blue, the adventure is yours to have. The other trails at Blue Mountain are all about lifts and gravity and, while not part of the PICL weekend, they offer a way to check out riding in a whole different way!
You can also make plans to enjoy the adventurous activities offered by Summit Adventure Park, such as rock climbing and the ropes course. Or catch gorgeous fall views from the top of the mountain via Blue’s Scenic Chairlift Rides. Again, these activities are not part of the PICL weekend, but check out Blue Mountain’s website to learn more.
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Blue Mountain will be supplying food trucks for our event. They will be on-site on Saturday and Sunday.
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There’s plenty to do right on-site at Blue Mountain. See “Adventure” for all of the details.
If you’re looking to go off-site, nearby Trexler Nature Preserve and the Lehigh Valley Zoo offer great family fun. You can even get your riding fix on the fast, flowy mountain bike trails at Trexler.
More two-wheeled fun can be had along the D&L Rail Trail in Jim Thorpe, or take a ride on either the Historic Trolley Tour or Lehigh George Scenic Railway. Lovers of music will enjoy a visit to the Martin Guitar Factory and Museum and your youngest family members might enjoy a trip to the Crayola Factory in Easton.
There’s also plenty to eat and drink in Carbon County and nearby Lehigh Valley, or enjoy the on-site dining options at Blue Mountain.
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Camping will be available on-site at Blue Mountain so that you and your family can remain close to the biking action. You can check out the various campsite options on Blue's website. To reserve your site at Blue Mountain Resort, call 610-826-7700 and choose option #1.
Options for off-site camping close to Blue Mountain include those in Lehigh Valley, Jim Thorpe, and Palmerton.
Carbon County and the communities of Lehigh Valley offer many hotels, airBnBs, regular old BnBs, and more lodging options in close proximity to Blue!
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It is your responsibility to understand rules related to the venue, event, and NICA competitions.
Penalties will be assessed to individuals and teams for breaking/disregarding rules at NICA events. Penalties can include, but are not limited to, loss of individual points, loss of team points, time penalties, and event expulsion. Please read and understand the General Event and Venue Rules (below), as well as the PA Handbook.
Inappropriate behavior is not tolerated toward any volunteer, staff member, or other community member. Such behavior results in immediate expulsion from the event.
General Event and Venue Rules• Garbage - Please dispose of your trash in on-site receptacles or Pack it in, Pack it out.
• Staging is for riders and coaches, ONLY. Parents can head to the start, finish, and fan zones!
• Grill only in designated areas.
• NO dogs in the Infield or Pit Zone unless clearly marked service dogs. Leashed dogs are permitted at the venue.
• NO inappropriate language.
• For Drone Policy, see Rule 4.14 in the PA Handbook.
Camping
For PICL events being held at established campgrounds, please follow all campground rules regarding check-in, check-out, quiet hours, etc. which are set and enforced by the campground staff.
For PICL events that offer camping at the venue via a partnership with the venue hosts, the following rules apply:
• You MUST pre-register.
• Camping is on your own/at your own risk.
• Camping is ONLY family camping - riders MUST camp with parents.
• Quiet time is 9 PM to 7 AM.
• NO gas generators overnight.
Pre-Ride
• DO NOT pre-ride on event weekends outside of designated pre-ride times on event schedule.
• Yield to event staff at all times.
• All coaches and riders MUST be fully “practice ready” in Pit Zone AND have their number/coach plate affixed to their bike. No unregistered riders are allowed on the course during designated pre-ride times.
• Pre-riding in the days and weeks leading up to the even weekend is permitted. If the course is on private property, please obtain permission from the land manager/owner beforehand.
NICA and PICL Reminders
Event details are subject to change. Please check back often for the most current information.PICL reserves the right to modify or cancel events should it be deemed necessary to do so. The league will notify event attendees via email and social media should modifications be required. Please make sure that you are receiving these communications; see FAQs for more information.
Safety
Incident reports are mandatory whenever a student-athlete or coach is injured during a NICA activity if any of the following occurs:
• Medical care is received
• Time lost from work or school
• Time lost from practice beyond day of event
NICA Insurance coverage is for registered student-athletes and registered coaches injured while participating in sanctioned PICL/NICA event activities; see FAQs for more information. -
This EAP form and its contents are intended for use ONLY by trained NICA Coaches and Event Staff for the purpose of holding NICA Activities and Events. This EAP form is intended to be shared only by a NICA Licensed Coach and Staff Member via a NICA official communication or webpage. If you have not received these materials directly from NICA, NICA does not warrant, either expressly or impliedly, the accuracy, timelessness, or appropriateness of the information contained in these materials and, further, NICA disclaims any responsibility for content errors, omissions, or infringing material and disclaims any responsibility associated with relying on the information provided in these materials.
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Our goal is to maintain the health and safety of our participants, volunteers and staff by following, to the best of our ability, guidance from the CDC, state and local health departments as appropriate for NICA at the national, league and team level.
If you have been in contact with someone who has had a positive Covid test in the past 14 days, or if you have any symptoms, please stay home.
