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STAFF REPORT
Glasgow News 1
Youth mountain bikers from across Kentucky will launch the 2026 Pedal for the Roses Race Series at Barren River Lake this summer.
The Kentucky Interscholastic Cycling League, also known as KY NICA or KICL, is scheduled to open its 2026 season on Sunday, Aug. 23, with Race No. 1: Highlander. The event will be held at the Highlander Trail System at Barren River Lake in Lucas, according to league information.
League organizers say KY NICA is entering its sixth season using mountain biking as a way to build strong minds, bodies, character and community for middle and high school students throughout Kentucky. Officials report the league will feature more than 374 student-athletes on at least 22 teams competing across eight events this year.
The area’s own team, Southern Kentucky, or SKYmtb Composite, is based in Warren County and will be racing close to home when the Highlander event sounds the call to post. The team is led by Head Coach Phillip Schmidt and Team Director Scott Duvall.
The Highlander Trail System sits inside Barren River Lake and has developed into a home course for area riders and a regular stop on the KY NICA race series.
According to organizers, the venue is the result of a partnership between the Southwest Kentucky Mountain Bike Association, or KYMBA, and Cave Country Trails.
They developed the system with land support from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and Kentucky State Parks.
Race day at Highlander opens the 2026 KICL Pedal for the Roses Race Series.
After the Barren River Lake opener, the series continues with Race No. 2 at England-Idlewild in Burlington on Sept. 13.
Race No. 3 is scheduled for Capitol View in Frankfort on Sept. 27.
Race No. 4 is planned for Livingston in Grand Rivers on Oct. 11.
The season wraps up with Race No. 5, the state championship, at Bluff Boom in Greensburg on Oct. 25.
Racing at Highlander is set to begin at 9 a.m. on Sunday, Aug. 23.
Organizers say the community is invited to come out, cheer on the riders and see what KY NICA is all about. A full event flyer and additional details are available at kentuckymtb.org.
Key Facts
– Kentucky Interscholastic Cycling League opens its 2026 Pedal for the Roses Race Series on Sunday, Aug. 23
– Race #1: Highlander takes place at the Highlander Trail System at Barren River Lake in Lucas, Barren County
– KY NICA enters its sixth season with more than 374 student-athletes on at least 22 teams statewide
– Local Southern Kentucky (SKYmtb) Composite team, based in Warren County, will race close to home
– Highlander Trail System was developed by KYMBA and Cave Country Trails with support from federal and state partners
– Racing on opening day starts at 9 a.m., and the public is invited to attend
– Full event details and flyer are available at kentuckymtb.org
– The Pedal for the Roses series continues with four more race dates across Kentucky through Oct. 25
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