Welcome to the NJICL’s 2023 Racing Season, our seventh spring of providing professional, safe and most importantly FUN racing experiences to our most prized customers, our students. Every year in the NJ League, approximately 8 out of 10 of our registered students participate in at least one race, and at any given race about 6 out of 10 registrants participate. Nationwide, nearly 9 out of 10 NICA students experience racing bikes for the first time in our program! Although NICA is so much more than racing, we are super happy to offer this experience to the next generation of cyclists as the culmination of a wonderful season of riding together!
Race Series Information:
Here is a link to category placements for this season, applied in accordance with the NJ Addendum to the NICA Handbook
Race Registration Deadlines, by Midnight on the Monday prior to the race:
- April 10 for Chester
- May 1 for Lewis Morris
- May 15 for Rutgers
- May 29 for Rowan
All petitions for category placement exception (please see your head coach for details) must be submitted 10 days before the race date:
- April 7 for Chester
- April 28 for Lewis Morris
- May 12 for Rutgers
- May 26 for Rowan
Petition form link – please download a copy, fill out and return
NJ NICA Shout Outs – Want to send an announcement out on race day? Use this form to request it! We’ll shout out birthdays, events, accomplishments, graduations, anniversaries, etc. Open to students, coaches, parents, friends…but please follow the NICA Code of Conduct
Race 1: Camp Edge Classic
Camp Edge: Camp Edge Road, Alloway, NJ 08001
Sunday, April 2nd, 2023
Camp Edge is a Ranch Hope, Inc. ministry. Ranch Hope, whose motto is “An Expectation of Success” was founded in 1962 by the Rev. and Mrs. David L. Bailey. Ranch Hope serves a diverse mission set focused on youth and families. Originally a millwork established in 1850, Camp Edge was founded in 1930 by the Boy Scouts of America. The property was named after Walter E. Edge, who was governor of the state from 1917-1919 and 1944-1947, a US Senator from 1919-1929 and US Ambassador to France from 1929-1933. The state acquired the property in 1997, and Ranch Hope took on management duties in 1998.
The course is approximately 60% twisty singletrack, with short punchy climbs and a really amazing infield. Spectators will enjoy the ample opportunities to see racers throughout the course. Camping is available on site for Saturday evening. We are so happy to partner with Ranch Hope and Camp Edge to offer the NJICL community a truly unique race weekend!
Please Click below to View Volunteer Opportunities for This Race on SignUp.com:
Camp Edge Race Notes:
- Online Pre-Registration: Online registration for this race closes Monday, March 27 at 11:59pm. Registration will be available on race weekend, however only pre-registered riders will be included in the call-up list. Anyone who registers onsite during the race weekend will start at the back of their field.
- Petitions for Category Placement: Those petitioning for exceptions to the category placement must do so by midnight on Friday, March 24th.
- Your Race Plate: Your 2023 race plate will be given to your head coach at the event. These plates are very durable and have a transponder on the back; you will use it for the entire 2023 season. We suggest that you remove the plate before putting your bike on your car/rack to prevent loss. Replacement number plates will be available at the registration tent for $20.
- Grilling is allowed in the Pitzone at this venue. Please be sure to follow safe grilling practices and have a fire extinguisher on hand.
- There is absolutely no riding on Camp Edge Road! A yellow level penalty will be assessed with no further warnings. Thank you for ensuring compliance with this most important safety policy!
Race 2: Chester Challenge
Sunday, April 16th, 2023
The 113-acre Highlands Ridge Park (formerly Bell Labs’ Telcordia Tract) was a long-term test facility for AT&T and is locally known for the “Telephone Pole Farm” located on site. The property was originally rented by Bell in 1928 to utilize Seward’s Hill, one of Morris Counties’ highest points, at 950 feet above sea level. The property was purchased by Obadiah Seward in 1740.
Home to the very first NJ NICA race back in 2017, Highlands Ridge Park has amazing vistas and a wonderful mix of fun single and double track trails. The race lap is 2.5 miles long with 220 feet of climbing, and it’s definitely a venue that will reward physical fitness.
Race Flier | Course Map | Strava Link
Live Results Link | Photos by Don Madson | Photos by Jason Milligan
Re-schedule date 1 (If Needed): Camp Edge or Chester
Sunday, April 23rd, 2023
Race 3: Lewis Morris Mania
270 Mendham Rd, Morristown, NJ 07960
Sunday, May 7th, 2023
Named in honor of New Jersey’s first Governor, the 350 acre Lewis Morris Park was opened by the Morris County Park Commission in 1958. Affectionately known as “LewMo” to locals, it is a popular mountain biking destination and no stranger to mountain bike racing, having been the home of Marty’s Lewis Morris Challenge for many years.
An original NJICL venue, This year we’ll be using a new infield location and new race loop. It’s a fun technical loop just over 3 miles long that will challenge riders’ bike handling and climbing skills.
Race Flier Coming Soon
Course Link
Live Results Link | Photos by Don Madson | Photos by Jason Milligan
Race 4: Scarlet Scramble – Rutgers EcoPreserve
1 Postal Plaza, Piscataway, NJ 08854
Sunday, May 21st, 2023
Formally established in 1976 by the Rutgers Board of Governors, the 316 acre Rutgers Ecological Preserve and Natural Teaching Area is a new venue for the NJICL in 2023. A majority of the land was acquired from the Johnson and Johnson family, and it has a rich history dating back to colonial days, where the land housed estate farms. General George Washington attended galas at estates here!
This spectator-friendly venue features a fun and fast 3-mile course with lots of flowy singletrack and double track trails and shorter but punchy climbs to test legs and lungs. We are super stoked to partner with Rutgers to offer a new centrally located venue!
Race Flier Coming Soon
Course Link
Live Results Link | Photos by Don Madson | Photos by Jason Milligan
Race 5: Rowan Rambler
1400 Tanyard Rd, Sewell, NJ 08080
Sunday, June 4th, 2023
Rowan College of South Jersey at the Gloucester Campus serves as the final race venue of the 2023 series. The venue is the home of the Summer Sizzler MTB Race, a long-time stop on the Mid-atlantic Super Series circuit and mega-league supporter! We’re very excited to return to Rowan after a brief hiatus during the pandemic, where the campus served as a regional vaccination and testing site.
The venue provides an amazing infield and an awesome course filled with South Jersey styled twisty singletrack! There are enough logs and roots to flaunt bike handling skills, and it promises to deliver a spectacular finish to our Season 7!
Race Flier & Course Links Coming Soon
Live Results Link | Photos by Don Madson | Photos by Jason Milligan
Re-schedule date 2 (If Needed): Rowan College of South Jersey
Sunday, June 11th, 2023
Live Results Link | Photos by Don Madson | Photos by Jason Milligan
