Meet the Coaches
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Ben Mertes HEAD COACH Bike Likes: When Carl teaches me new skills Bike Dislikes: Falling and stopping all the time. Riding MTB since: I could afford my own bike. Favorite trail: Any trail without snakes, bears, bees, poison ivy, log jumps and country music. Why I got Involved: Look how fat I am in the picture. I need more excercise. |
Carl Christy TEAM DIRECTOR Bike Likes: Wind in my hair and country music playing in the background. Bike Dislikes: Lacking hair and over inflated tires Riding MTB since: Since 2005. Favorite trail: Anything downhill...?. Why I got involved: For the adventure. |
Mark Anderson Assistant head coach-team jersey Lead Bike Likes: Anytime I'm on one. Must have a playing card in the spokes. Vrroom Bike Dislikes: I don't understand...can you please clarify? Zoom meetings about bikes. Riding MTB since: Around when I was like 14. Favorite trail: The ones with dirt. Why I got involved: Riding helps me relieve stress and I feel truly free when I'm out on the trail. |
David Green assistant head coach-Race Day Coordinator Bike Likes: Flying (at a safe speed) through the woods. Bike Dislikes: Crashing 😊 and trail users who don’t respect the environment and leave their trash on the trails. Riding MTB since: Newbie. Started riding in 2017. Favorite trail: Long flowing ones. Still exploring. Why I got involved: My daughter loves to ride, and we found MICL. Fell in love with MTB and wanted to do and learn more. A bonus is I get to ride with my daughter and see her grown into an amazing rider and young woman. |
David Dollinger Few assistant coach-Sender of emails Bike Likes: Rocky climbs and flowy downhill. Bike Dislikes: When I wash out on the side hill. Oh and 80's music. Riding MTB since: Started riding as a kid, my first MTB was a fully rigid bike. Got back into MTB when my kids got interested. Favorite trail: A trail I haven't ridden before, I always like a new challenge. Why I got involved: The NICA community is great! I wanted to help support the league, team, and my kids. |
Bryan "b-mac" McMillan aSSISTANT HEAD COACH-Coaches Coach Bike Likes: The freedom of human powered movement while exploring new trails and roads. Bike Dislikes: Riders who don’t respect Mother Nature or the rules of the road/trail. Riding MTB since: Rode when Apple was still just a fruit, and now back to MTB – have been riding road/tri since I was a kid. Favorite trail: Whiteface Mountain, Lake Placid, NY Why I got involved: To spend more time with my son and continue to support active lifestyles for kids. The Stoke is High with this one. |
Bill Wheeler assistant coach-Assistant Coaches Coach Bike Likes: A quiet bike is a good bike. O-Dark Hundred starts to watch the dawn roll in. Bike Dislikes: If it's raining, "I am OUT" Riding MTB since: Late 80s MTB, yeah I'm old. ;-) A Gremlin was a car, not a character. Favorite Trail: That long dangerous rocky one, that scares most people. It's why they call me Jelly. Why I got involved: Love to see people on bikes and learning about bikes. I've coached Cyclocross and Triathlon. I love to help people learn and be active. |
Steve Johnson Assistant Coach-Coach Ride Coordinator Bike Likes: Blue ones Bike Dislikes: Red ones Riding MTB since: Training Wheels were on my bike Favorite Trail: The one that doesn't require a map or app! Why I got involved: Because WVU Rules! |
Ryan Knapp Assistant Coach Parent Coordinator Bike Likes: Turbo Levo for the miles of smiles! Bike Dislikes: Phone Holders Riding MTB Since: 1995... Favorite Trail: The one my family is on Why I got involved: Transitioning from years of racing motorcycles to slow down and enjoy the ride more. |
Dan "The NICA Man" Abate Assistant coach-Assistant to the assistant Bike Likes: Water bottles on handlebars and bells. Bike Dislikes: Handle bar tassels Riding MTB since: Racing since a young lad Favorite trail: The one I can't keep up on. Why I got involved: The enjoyment I get out of seeing kids riding, having fun, and enjoying time out on the trails. |
Jesse Tubb assistant head coach Bike Likes: Exploring new trails and experiencing the sense of flying through the woods. Bike Dislikes: Getting a flat. Riding MTB since: 2007 Favorite trail: Whichever trail I happen to be on at that moment. Why I got involved: Wanting to foster the love of outdoors and biking with my son. |
"Pistol" Pete Monti Assistant coach Bike Likes: Shiny Pedals and colorful accessories Bike Dislikes: Riding with coach Ben at Deep Creek Riding MTB since: My first ride in the carrier on the back of bike Favorite trail: Which ever trail Giada is with me! Why I got involved: Gets me out of work! |
Jeff Grasty Asssistant Coach Bike Likes: Handlebar baskets Bike Dislikes: 29'ers Riding MTB since: My bigwheel as a kid got that flat spot and couldn't ride any more. Favorite trail: Not Bacon Ridge! Why I got involved: To enjoy time on the bike with my son. |
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Julie Thumel Female Assistant Head Coach "Let's be honest, I am so fast you can't get a picture of me. Look me up on Strava. QOM" |
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Elizabeth Portocarrero Parent Coordinator |
Kristin Johnson Social Media |
Brad Burns Assistant Coach Bike Likes: The technical and physical challenge, and being in the woods. Bike Dislikes: Pedal strikes. Riding MTB since: 1988 Favorite trail: I love exploring new trails. I like the challenging terrain at the Frederick Watershed, but mostly ride around the Woodstock area. Why I got involved: To instill the love of riding and being in nature, and to ride with my son. |
