MOUNTAIN LIONS CYCLING CLUB
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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. 

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David Dollinger Few
assistant coach
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.  

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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.
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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. 
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Steve Johnson
Assistant Coach-Coach Ride Coordinator

Bike Likes:
Blue ones

Bike Dislikes:
Red ones
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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!
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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.
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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.
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Why I got involved:
Wanting to foster the love of outdoors and biking with my son.
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"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!
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Stergios Papadakis
Assistant Coach
Let's go fast.  Don't ask questions.
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Scott Vennard
Assistant Coach
Hey who likes steep hills?
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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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Alyssa Simms
Asssistant Coach
Bike Likes: mine
Bike Dislikes: everyone else's

Favorite trail: a hiking one
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Jack Mahoney
Assistant Coach
Bike Likes: ones with super fat tires

Bike Dislikes:
ones with super fat tires

Favorite Trail:
"Definitely not Bacon Ridge!  If you try and get me to ride that again I will quit!"
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Elizabeth Portocarrero
Parent Coordinator
Kristin Johnson
Social Media
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Ryan Knapp
Bike Likes:
Downhill (anywhere)
Britney Spears music

Bike Dislikes:
Uphill (anywhere)
Pop 2k music

Riding MTB since:

Been riding since 2019

Favorite trail:

Burke Mountain /Kingdom Trails, VT

Why I got involved:
More time to ride and help others learn. 

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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.
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  • Home
  • Events
  • Registration
    • Student Athlete
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  • Team Info
    • Activity Info
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    • Places to Go Ride
    • Support MLCC
  • Seasons
    • 2020 Season
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  • Coach
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