Who we are
We are a coed composite youth mountain bike team within the Maryland Interscholastic Cycling League, which is part of NICA. Our team consists of middle and high school students, of all athletic abilities and levels, some of whom have never ridden a bike, and some that are seasoned riders. The Bolts embody inclusivity, equity, respect, and community, while ensuring a fun and safe environment for our riders.
Click on "Learn More" to find out more about our team, learn about our season, find out when and where we practice, and see what fun events we have planned.
Visit our Blog for more information in general, helpful tips and tricks, and to further engage with the team.
We have just wrapped up the 2023 season and are starting to think about next year. If you are interested for 2024, please reach out.
Learn. Ride. Race.
Building confidence and friendships on bikes
Learn More
Join the team!
We have wrapped up the 2023 season. If you are interested in the 2024 season, please e-mail us so we can get you on our list! All levels welcome, coed, grades 6-12. You do not need a bike to join, we can help you secure a bike you can borrow. We can't wait to meet you!
Start of Season
The season typically starts in July with a few preseason events. We can't wait to see you!
Practices and Events
Practices take place in Patapsco State Park at one location on Tuesdays and another on Thursdays. Visit the Team App to see the calendar for preseason events and practices, or e-mail us to get more information. We can't wait to coach you!
In our FAQs, we've posted real and relevant questions we've received. But if you still have questions, please feel free to send us an e-mail. We can't wait to help you!
GRiT
Girls Riding Together
In an effort to support and encourage female student athletes and coaches, NICA developed the GRiT program. We all know that girls are stronger when we support each other and lift each other up. We are very proud of our own GRiT ambassador, Emerson Eatough!!
Setting time aside for “girls only” activities allows us to get to know each other and strengthen our mountain biking community. Check out the MICL GRiT page to stay posted on all events designed to empower our female student athletes.
Meet the Bolts Coaches
In addition to the kids, the people who make the Bolts awesome
Coach Cici Bower
Team Co-Director & Coach
Coach Level: 3
NICA Seasons coached: 3
Years mountain biking: since 2013
Favorite trails/places to ride: Moab, Patapsco (it's home)
Day job: Physician (Internal Medicine)
Something unique about Cici: her first career was in Wildlife Biology
Favorite food: spaghetti with tomato sauce
Coach Tracy Posner
Team Co-Director & Coach
Coach Level: 3
NICA Seasons coached: 3
Years mountain biking: since 2004
Favorite trails/places to ride: Shenandoahs, Patapsco, Frederick & Gambrill State Park
Day job: IT Manager
Something unique about Tracy: she hiked Machu Picchu and its sister peak, Huayna Picchu
Favorite food: peanut butter
Coach Chris Eatough
Head Coach
Coach Level: 3
NICA Seasons coached: 3
Years mountain biking: since 1996
Favorite trails/places to ride: British Columbia, Pisgah, Patapsco
Day job: Transportation Planner
Something unique about Chris: he is a 6-time world champion in 24-hour solo mountain biking
Favorite food: fajitas
Coach Ben Reisse
Head Coach
Coach Level: 3
NICA Seasons coached: 3
Years mountain biking: 20+
Favorite trails/places to ride: Pisgah National Forest & Frederick Watershed, and of course Patapsco!
Day job: Bike shop owner
Something unique about Ben: there's a park named after his brother
Favorite food: coke slurpees and taquitos
Coach Craig Snydal
Coach
Coach Level: 3
NICA Seasons coached: 3
Years mountain biking: since 2016
Favorite trails/places to ride: Patapsco and Shenandoah
Day job: Technical Director
Something unique about Craig: he's really a road racer with a dirt habit
Favorite food: beets
Coach Monica Reisse
Coach
Coach Level: 2
NICA Seasons coached: 3
Years mountain biking: since 2015
Favorite trails/places to ride: Ridgeline & Big Rock (DuPont), Lower Black (Pisgah), Osprey & Hydro (Raystown)
Day job: Massage Therapist
Something unique about Monica: she was a junior keeper at the MD zoo in High School
Favorite food: sushi or pizza
Coach Brad Virgin
Coach
Coach Level: 3
NICA Seasons coached: 3
Years mountain biking: since 2007
Favorite trails/places to ride: Patapsco, Frederick, Shenandoah, Alafia River State Park
Day job: IT Manager
Something unique about Brad: he started mountain biking in Florida. Wait, they have trails there? Sure do!
Favorite food: Texas BBQ or Tacos
Coach Sean Harbaugh
Coach
Coach Level: 2
NICA Seasons coached: 2
Years mountain biking: 5
Favorite trails/places to ride: Patapsco, Frederick & Shenandoah
Day job: Park Management
Something unique about Sean: he has held both the largest & smallest birds native to Maryland
Favorite food: icecream, pineapple upside-down cake, lasagna
Coach Ian Kennedy
Coach
Coach Level: 2
NICA Seasons coached: 2
Years mountain biking: since 2002
Favorite trails/places to ride: Patapsco trails and Columbia pathways
Day job: Non-Profit Executive Director
Something unique about Ian: he once spent 18 months growing a beard for "work"
Favorite food: potatoes
Coach TJ Mayotte
Coach
Coach Level: 1
NICA Seasons coached: 2
Years mountain biking: ~7
Favorite trails/places to ride: Patapsco & Kingdom Trail (VT)
Day job: Deputy CIO, Howard County
Something unique about TJ: he was born and raised in New Hampshire and is a Navy Vet
Favorite food: pie, icecream, spaghetti & meatballs... he likes to eat :)
Coach Nathan Baturka
Coach
Coach Level: 1 (working on 2)
NICA Seasons coached: 1
Years mountain biking: since 1987
Favorite trails/places to ride: White Tank Mtns, AZ & MD
Day job: Stay at home dad
Something unique about Nathan: he raced road bikes, was a race mechanic for a professional team & enjoys riding & racing velodrome with his 2 boys
Favorite food: burritos
Our Sponsors & Affiliations
We thank-you!
FAQs
What equipment is needed?
A mountain bike and helmet are required. You do not need to own a mountain bike in order to join the team. Please e-mail us and we can help you to secure a bike you can use, as well as a helmet. In addition, we recommend athletic shoes (sneakers are fine), and a water bottle or hydration pack.
What training do the coaches have?
All of the coaches for the Bolts are seasoned riders, very familiar with the local trails and experts in bike safety and trail etiquette. Each year the coaches complete NICA training on safety, preparedness and bike skills to ensure their riders have fun and are safe in every ride, practice and race. In addition, many of the Bolts coaches are first aid and CPR certified.
Do I have to live in Catonsville to be a part of the team?
Nope! We're a composite team meaning Bolts riders come from different area schools and towns.
What are the practices like?
The Bolts practices consist of drills, trail rides and games. As long as trail conditions are good, we will ride on the local trails. Strategic drills are often included in practices to help riders work on, and build, their skills. Often times, we end practice with some fun games like foot down. Don't know what foot down is? Come on out to a practice to see this fun Bolts tradition.
Do I have to attend all practices and events?
No. The team practices two times per week, and you can attend whatever fits best with your schedule. Although, because we work on skill building in practices, we do recommend riders attend when they can. For parents: you can drop your participant off at practice and pick them up at the scheduled end time.
Do I have to race if I join the team?
Definitely not. We encourage our riders to race, but it is not a requirement to be on the team. If a rider wants to try a race, the coaches will do everything we can to help them be prepared and ready.
I'm interested in coaching, how do I do that?
We welcome interest in coaching, the more coaches we have, the more riders we can take on! Please send us an e-mail, or talk to one of our current coaches, for more information.
Where do I find the list of dates for events, practices and races?
We use an app called Team App which houses the team calendar, news, schedule, more information on events, and has a chat function. Parents and riders can access the team section of the app once you join the team. In the meantime, if you have questions on any of our upcoming events, please send us an e-mail. In addition, the Maryland league sends out informative newsletters on upcoming events, keep an eye out for those for everything you need to know about events and races.