Wooooooot! What's up North State! My NICA commitment began in 2018 at the first race of the season with a 2 mph crash, an ambulance ride and bruised ego. But a little thing like a showing-off accident didn’t keep me from taking on the Team Director role two years later for the exponentially growing North State Composite team in Chico, a role I love and in which I will continue indefinitely. I believe that our 120 athletes and families are so incredibly happy with our amazing coaches and the overall success and joy of our season, our team just keeps on growing. And, well, I might the loudest cheerleader on the trails— for MY team, and for YOURS. I’m the one screaming, “Let’s GOOOO (fill in team name)! Yewwww!” next to your grandma at Six Sigma. The stoke of the kids and families in NorCal is tangible and contagious. And our kids need us to be cheerleaders. Woot!
Dan Mauldin, Coach Director In 2011, the Head Coach of the San Ramon High MTB team Ken Mozek asked if I would help coach his team and I said, Heck no! Why would anyone want to hang out with a bunch of high school kids? The following year I took him up on his offer and fell in love with coaching this sport and the community that surrounds it. High School youth are at a pivotal place where as coaches we have a unique ability to be a positive influence in their lives. I’ve been coaching High School Mountain Biking since 2012 and took over as the Head Coach of North State Composite in the 20-21 season. Thank you to my amazing and very patient wife for loaning me out to the team every year!
Tyler Reiswig, Next Level Development
Hey y’all! It’s so amazing to be a part of this team since our inception in 2017. I’m so blown away to see such a healthy community of cyclists and friends that we’ve created through this team. I have been a racer for the majority of my life, from starting with bmx when I was 5, to racing go-karts at 6, to road racing motorcycles semi-professionally in my teens. Since then I have been all in with cycling (in every genre) ever since. My goal in leading the Race Development side of our team is to allow our athletes to find find that healthy balance of structure, drive, accomplishment, and at the pinnacle should be fun. I want to see our athletes strive as individuals and gain confidence in all manners of life through the practice of pushing themselves physically and mentally on the bike. See y’all on the trails this season!
James Forte, DEVO Head Co-Coach
I joined North State MTB for the 22’-23’ season as a DEVO (development) team coach with my son, adding an extra layer of excitement and connection. I had no idea what I was getting into and quickly found a great sense of community among the coaches and the kids. The Black DEVO kids are all incredible riders whom I led and sometimes chased while sharing Technique, Bidwell Park, Racing, and our love of the sport. Mountain Biking is a fantastic sport that offers our youth many physical and mental growth opportunities. Seeing these young riders' talent, progression, and comradery is genuinely inspiring. I love all things cycling from road to MTB and truly could not be more honored to make a positive impact on these kids. I look forward to helping develop the DEVO team even further in the 23/24 season.
Neil Yelland, DEVO Head Co-Coach
I am absolutely thrilled and honored to continue my roll as a Co-Head Coach for the DEVO team! 2023-24 is my 6th season coaching for the North State Composite Team. Since starting from our grassroots beginning to where we are now, it is truly amazing! I am thankful to spend quality time with a group of such respectful and talented young riders. I am equally thankful for the sense of fulfillment that coaching provides. I am so fired up for this upcoming season and looking forward to incorporating some serious fun in our upcoming season. Together we are building strong minds, bodies and characters through youth cycling.
Ben Chester, High School Head Co-Coach
Chico born and raised, I have been mountain biking since the early 90’s and this will be my third year coaching the race development boys team. My favorite discipline is cross-country mountain biking. I have learned to endure the uphill suffering to enjoy the downhill bliss. I encourage the athletes to tighten their mind and push themselves. Biking is a sport anyone can enjoy throughout their lives and the team practices will build stamina to go longer and faster on their bikes during the season. Racing brings the team together as parents, coaches and athletes cheer each other on. It encourages me to see their personal growth and positive attitudes. I am looking forward to some cooler weather and meeting this year’s athletes.
Chad Woodard, High School Head Co-Coach
My daughter Miya joined North State Composite in 2020 and I would drop her off to practice and go ride by myself. Over the season I got to know some of the coaches and families and I saw what an impact the team was making on my daughter both socially and emotionally. My wife Jen and I are so thankful for the community that has surrounded her these past 3 years . What a blessing! In 2021, I decided to coach and was immediately welcomed and supported by so many good people. North State Composite became my community also. I only have one hobby (MTB) and it has been a joy to share it with so many of the coaches, parents and athletes. I’ve made many friend s through the team and we share coffee, dinner and vacations together now. In addition, our athletes are such an incredible group! Well done parents. Coaching these young men is an honor and I am grateful to be a part of their development into adulthood. I love seeing their progress on the trails and I’ve seen the culture of our team shape their character in a positive manner. I’m thrilled to be one of the HS Head Coaches and I so look forward to the upcoming season. We have a deep group of athletes returning that understand the culture of our team and are ready to take their skills and fitness to the next level. Go North State!