As we are entering PICL Season 10, we think it’s time to highlight some of our amazing coaches who volunteer their talents & skills, dedicate their time, and often share resources with our students and families on the team.
We couldn’t do this without you, thank you for being a mentor and coach!
Coach Dave joined the Lehigh Valley Composite teams in 2024, after frequently running into the team or coaches on the trails and really loving the program and what it provides for students. While his son is too young to join the team yet, David is often seen tinkering on bikes under the team tent in Pitzone on race weekends and helping kids get set up with their bike. He’s earned the title “The Wrench” as our chief mechanic coach.
We asked our coaches a few questions so we can get to know them a bit better:
When did you join the team as a coach?
I joined for the 2024 season last year
Do you only ride mountain bikes?
In the last couple of years. Only xc mountain bikes. I have a good couple of bikes in the man cave. I’ve had in the past road bikes, cyclocross, single speeds, trials bike, xc hardtails, xc rigid bikes, fat bikes, xc full suspension bikes, Bmx as a kid. Lot of bikes.
Owned over 25 Cannondales and 7 treks Lot of different bikes and wheel sizes.
What’s your why?
I have been proper mountain biking and other types of biking since 1995. I have done a lot of races and have owned many different types of bikes from different eras. I thought I would like to pass on a lot of knowledge I have learned over the years to help kids that want to learn how to mountain bike safely and have fun.
Have you ever raced bikes?
Yes Road doing crit races at Rodale park, lots of xc races, several 24 hour xc races and cyclocross races
What other sports do you enjoy or even compete in?
Enjoy watching IndyCar racing, sports car racing, f1, motocross, Supercross superbikes, motogp, all different disciplines of cycling on track, road, time trial, mtb xco and downhill. I competed in baseball, football, folk style wrestling, freestyle wrestling, running races years ago 5-10k, I coached high school wrestling at Easton area high school jv and varsity from 2002-2006 then 2009-2011 and at our gold metal club and camps.
Tell us about your favorite trails.
Jacobsburg, Nockamixon, Jordan Creek, West End Regional park, Lehigh university, Trexler nature preserve, Blue Marsh lake, Lackawanna state park, Blue Mountain, Sals, South Mountain, Bear Creek, Round Valley, Allamuchy
What’s your best advice for parents new to the team and league?
The group as a whole is great with great people and kids. Very easy to make friends and people you want to ride with. I have made many new friends to ride with anytime even out of season with. Good stuff.
And lastly; what advice do you have for our students when it comes to joining the team, perhaps unsure about racing or what to expect from being part of a MTB team?
Great whole group of kids and easy for anyone of any personality to make friends with. Easy going and kids are always having fun and learning something new all the time in the trails.
Tip. If you go to your first race and watch. After that you will be hooked. Guaranteed.
I lied, this one is last: If you were an animal, which one would you be and why?
On land-Lion. Top of the food chain.
In the water-Great white shark. Top of the food chain
(sounds like coach Dave has some food anxieties, guard your ride snacks, kids!)
Meet the COACHES
Meet all of our coaches and learn a bit about them
