boulderjuniorcycling.org

High School Team

This page updated Jan. 30, 2024

Registration opens Feb. 1, 2024.

BJC’s High School race team combines all disciplines into one squad. This includes road racing, cross-country mountain biking, gravity/enduro mountain biking, gravel, and riding the velodrome. The program is designed for athletes with some experience who have mastered the competencies in the BJC Devo program, are high-school aged, and who want to be a part of a competitive cycling team. 

The program spans spring and summer, and in the fall season the team moves to cyclocross (info here) and some athletes continue a focus on gravity riding.

Combining all disciplines into one team allows us to create a unified team culture and helps athletes develop a wider range of cycling skills and experiences. Several years ago we combined road and MTB into one squad, and this approach was so successful that starting in 2024 we are combining both the endurance and gravity disciplines into one team.

Athletes will be able to focus on their favorite discipline, but will be encouraged to try all types of riding. At team practice, the team splits into small groups at various locations based on cycling discipline, age, and ability. Generally, riders with an endurance focus will do both mountain biking and road riding, while riders with a gravity focus will stick to mountain biking primarily.

The overall goals of the team are to have fun, build cycling expertise, develop life skills, create a strong community, and test ourselves on the race course. The program is suitable for intermediate and expert riders.

This is a race-focused program and we encourage athletes to train for and participate in a few races each season. We believe racing is a great way to have fun with your teammates and challenge yourself, but you do not have to be a serious racer to join the team.

Athletes should be ready to commit to attending every practice, training consistently, and working hard to achieve personal goals. These goals may range from preparing for your first season in the High School League to standing on the podium at the National Championships.

The team is led by program manager Christoph Cikraji alongside executive director Pete Webber. We are proud to have an amazing group of veteran coaches including Scott Tietzel, Michael Robson, Margell Abel, Garrett Gerchar, Ashley Zoerner, Eli Strauss, Paul Rapinz, Tess Amer, Lydia Tanner, and pro riders Ruth Edwards and Noah Granigan.

We’ll attend designated team races with coaching, support, and a base camp. The exact schedule of races with BJC team support may change but a tentative schedule for the year is here.

Riders need their own race-ready mountain bike and other gear. Here is a required gear list. Gravity athletes will need a bike that meets specific criteria listed here. Most riders will also benefit from having a road or cyclocross bike, capable of riding pavement and gravel. (This is required for athletes focused on endurance disciplines.) Contact us if you need a loaner bike. E-bikes are not allowed.

Team kits are not included in the team fee, but can be ordered twice per year in February and mid-July. All athletes qualify for discounts at our team’s favorite bike shops: Trek Store Boulder and Excel Sports.

BJC reserves the right to select athletes or limit numbers to ensure participants are engaged with the program goals, share the program philosophy, and to allow coaches to create groups of similar age and ability.

2024 Details

  • Dates: March 4 – July 25 (20 weeks, will include rest weeks)
  • Spring practices are 2 hrs, Tues & Thurs 4:30 – 6:30 pm
  • Summer practices are 3 hrs, Tues & Thurs 8:00-11:00 am
  • Locations near Boulder, in summer locations spread further
  • Includes full-time coaching and mentorship
  • Includes full-time training plan for athletes who have demonstrated readiness
  • Access to coaches via phone/email/group chat
  • Calendar will include XC, road, enduro, and gravel racing
  • Participation in out-of-state race trips is geared towards athletes who have demonstrated readiness. These trips require added fees
  • Support at designated team races includes coaching, base camp, feed zone, etc
  • USAC license is required for some racing
  • Required gear list
  • All high-school aged athletes and parents are required to take an online SafeSport course before the first team practice. (Instructions will be sent to team members.)
  • Contact us for questions about partial season participation, or multi-sports
  • New athletes must contact Coach Christoph before registering
  • Cost: $1,895

Questions? Please contact Coach Christoph Cikraji

Discipline Specific Notes

  • Gravity
    • Gravity details & gear/bike requirements are listed here
    • New athletes must contact Coach Christoph before attending a gravity practice
    • Knee pads mandatory at every practice! NO exceptions!
    • DH certified (ASTM F1952) helmet required for lift accessed practices 
  • Endurance
    • Road/XC bike requirements here
    • Rear flashing light required at every practice 

Learn more about BJC’s Approach to Development (14 min. video)

SCHOLARSHIPS AVAILABLE: We strongly encourage families to contact us about assistance paying for program fees, equipment/clothing costs, and racing costs. Finances should never be a reason a family can’t join our team! BJC has a scholarship fund set aside for this purpose, and we are honored to provide nearly $20,000 in financial scholarships and equipment every year. While some BJC programs sell out very quickly, we always hold spots open for those kids who might be a scholarship candidate. You won’t lose your spot on the team! Applications are welcome anytime, but we prefer to receive them at least a month in advance of the program start date if possible. We look forward to all inquiries. Please contact Executive Director Pete Webber (email).

SAFESPORT: Athlete Wellness and SafeSport is a high priority for BJC. We’re proud to have earned Gold Level Certification, the highest level available. More info here.