SHEN-ROCK Mountain Bike Team
Empowering young adults for a lifetime of bicycle adventures.
About the Team
SHEN-ROCK Mountain Bike Team is an interscholastic youth mountain bike team in the Shenandoah Valley consisting of boys and girls from local public, private, and home schools. The team participates in friendly and competitive mountain bike events against other surrounding teams.
Spring SHEN-ROCK Season (ages 9-18)
Overview
For our spring race series, we participate in the Virginia High School Mountain Bike Series. We also participate in other various events, rides, and volunteer opportunities in our community.
Key Dates (2023 spring season)
Thursday, March 9th from 6:30-8pm
A chance to meet the team and get information. We will be gathering at Smiley’s Ice Cream in Bridgewater!
Thursday, March 21st from 5:30-7:30pm
Coaches ONLY practice at the Massanutten Western Slope.
Thursday, March 23 from 5:30-7:00pm
NEW rider orientation at the Massanutten Western Slope.
Tuesday, March 28th at 5:30pm
First practice at the Massanutten Western Slope.
Practices
Practices are every Tuesday and Thursday. The first practice of the 2023 Spring Season will be Tuesday, March 28th and the last practice will be Thursday, June 1st. Practices take place on the Western Slope of Massanutten.
- Elementary school age groups ride from 5:30 pm – 7 pm
- Middle and high school age groups ride from 5:30 pm – 7:30 pm
Race Schedule
Fall SHEN-ROCK Season (ages 9-18)
Overview
For our fall race series, we participate in the Virginia High School Cycling League sanctioned by NICA. We also participate in other various events, rides, and volunteer opportunities in our community.
Key Dates (2023 fall season)
Thursday, August 10th from 6:30-8:30pm
A chance to meet the team and get information. We will be gathering at Smiley’s Ice Cream in Bridgewater!
Tuesday, August 22nd from 5:30-7:30pm
- NEW rider orientation at the Massanutten Western Slope.
- Coach’s Practice on the Massanutten Western Slope.
Thursday, August 24th at 5:30pm
First practice at the Massanutten Western Slope.
Thursday, August 31st
Last day to register for the ShenRock Fall Season.
Practices
Practices are every Tuesday and Thursday. The first practice of the 2023 Fall Season will be Thursday, August 24th and the last practice will be Tuesday, October 31st. Practices take place on the Western Slope of Massanutten.
- Elementary school age groups ride from 5:30 pm – 7 pm
- Middle and high school age groups ride from 5:30 pm – 7:30 pm
Race Schedule
Meet the Coaches
Nathan, his wife Karen, and their four children moved to the Valley in the fall of 2011. After an injury, requiring multiple surgeries, forced him to hang up his long distance running shoes, Nathan pulled out his mountain bike and hit the trails at Hillandale, rediscovering a love from when he was in high school. The Beyeler family connected with Shen-Rock in 2016 with their eldest son joining the team, and Nathan joining on as a ride-along volunteer. The team was exactly what the Beyelers were looking for. The twin boys joined when they turned 9, and now their sister will be joining in the 2020 spring season. Mountain biking has become a family passion. Nathan has had increasing responsibility on the team since joining and has been a ride leader for multiple seasons. In 2020 Nathan will serve as head coach for the middle / high school groups. In 2019, with the help of many, Nathan accomplished his goal of finishing the SM100.
Before heading to his day job at Merck in Elkton, Nathan can be found at 5:00am on the Western Slopes trails.
Paul has been involved with ShenRock since 2016 when his son, Andrew, decided to join the team. Now, the entire Johnson squad is part of the ShenRock group. What was originally an excuse to go ride his bike has turned into a lifestyle that the whole family enjoys. Paul has been riding mountain bikes since before there were mountain bikes. In his younger days, he led multiple bike packing trips on the C&O canal and mountain bike camps at Camp Eder in PA. Since moving to the Valley in 2008, he has rekindled his love of mountain biking and enjoys sharing the biking lifestyle with the next generation. If you’re ever on the Western Slopes and hear “WAY TO GO PAUL”, rest assured, something awesome just happened.
Whether building world-class mountain bike trails, making our communities more bike-friendly, or improving access for all the residents of the Valley, I believe that we have the opportunity to continue to build the SVBC into an organization that can achieve great things. I am excited about what the future holds and grateful for all the work that has made the Shenandoah Valley a great place for bicycling.
Whether building world-class mountain bike trails, making our communities more bike-friendly, or improving access for all the residents of the Valley, I believe that we have the opportunity to continue to build the SVBC into an organization that can achieve great things. I am excited about what the future holds and grateful for all the work that has made the Shenandoah Valley a great place for bicycling.
Sue started mountain biking in Harrisonburg in 2004, and continued biking in California, Utah, and Colorado when she moved out west in 2006. She returned to the valley with her husband Paul in 2017. Sue has done some mountain bike racing including the Shenandoah 100 (2009, 2017), various endurance races in Colorado (Three-day Breck epic, Breck 68, Gunnison Full Growler), multi-day bike tours, along with some 50k running races, an ironman and two half-ironmans. She’s too busy to race of late, having a job requiring a lot of time and travel, but she still enjoys mountain biking with friends at a leisurely pace in the National Forest and Massanutten.
How to Join
Information on how to join the Spring 2024 season will be post here closer to the start of the season.
SHEN-ROCK Rider Fee
The rider fee directly supports SHEN-ROCK. These funds are used to purchase new radios, restock the first aid kits, and acquire other needed supplies for the season. Please use the form to pay the $50 rider fee.
Frequently Asked Questions
The Basics
Does my child need to have previous mountain biking experience?
There are a variety of levels on the team. If you would like more information, contact us and give us the specifics. We want to grow youth cycling and make sure we get more kids on bikes. We are flexible and happy to help make the team work for your rider.
Does my rider need a bike?
Yes. Your rider should have a mountain bike. At this time we do not have loaner bikes specifically for the SHEN-ROCK Team. BUT do not let the lack of a bike hold you back. Reach out to us if you need help tracking down an affordable bicycle for your youth rider.
Does my rider need specific clothes or shoes?
Riders need to wear athletic wear. There is no need for special pedals or shoes although some team members use them. SHEN-ROCK jerseys are available for purchase but are only required for races. You can view and purchase all SHEN-ROCK merchandise via our online store.
Does my rider need a helmet?
Helmets are mandatory for all riders. You must purchase your own helmet.
Practices
When and where are the practices?
Practices are at Massanutten Western Slope, Tuesday and Thursday evenings.
Are practices required?
Attending practices is highly encouraged and regular attendance is expected. Riders should come to as many practices as they can. We know that there are many competing interests for youth sports and hope your rider can join us for the vast majority of our practices.
Are practices canceled due to inclement weather?
Practices typically happen no matter the weather. Practices are canceled via the SHEN-ROCK Google Group (email), which you will be signed up for after you fill out the paperwork to join.
Is there transportation to get kids to/from practice?
There is no consistent transportation to and from practice. You are responsible for getting your rider to and from practice.
Spring Versus Fall Season and Racing
What are the differences between the Fall and Spring season?
The Fall season (NICA) is explicitly middle school and high school ONLY while the Spring Season (USA Cycling) includes an Elementary school tier, which is 9 years and older.
When do the seasons start and stop?
The exact start and stop dates for the season are decided on as the season gets closer to starting. However, the Spring season generally runs from the middle of March to the end of May. The fall season generally runs from the middle of August until the end of October.
How do the races work? Are they mandatory?
There are races in the fall and spring, but the races are OPTIONAL. You can learn more about the races themselves by visiting the Virginia High School Cycling League – NICA (Fall) and Virginia High School Mountain Bike Series – USA Cycling (Spring) web sites.
Is there transportation to get kids to/from races?
There is no consistent transportation to and from the races. You are responsible for getting your rider to and from races. You can work with other parents to try to arrange carpools via the SHEN-ROCK Google Group (email list).
Cost and Registration
How much does it cost?
Annually:
- SVBC membership: $40 for a family membership
- Massanutten Trail Pass: commit to 6 hours of trail work or donate $50 to the Coalition
ShenRock Rider Fee: $50
- Additional fees are required if your student-athlete decides to race. These fees are collected by the race leagues.
How do I get updates from the team after we join?
After you register, you will be signed up for the SHEN-ROCK TeamSnap, which is where all official communication for the team happens.
Are practices canceled due to inclement weather?
Practices typically happen no matter the weather. Practices are canceled via the SHEN-ROCK Google Group (email), which you will be signed up for after you fill out the paperwork to join.
Is there transportation to get kids to/from practice?
There is no consistent transportation to and from practice. You are responsible for getting your rider to and from practice.
