boulderjuniorcycling.org

Gravity Program Details & Requirements

High School Team

This page updated Jan. 30, 2024

New in 2024, the Shredders and Red Squad will be combined into one High School Team so that gravity, road, and XC are all together in one team. Several years ago we combined road and MTB and this approach was so successful that we are now adding the gravity discipline as well.

Athletes will be able to focus on their favorite discipline, but will be encouraged to try all types of riding.

Read details about the High School Team here.

Here are some additional details for athletes focused on gravity/enduro. (Scroll down for some photos from gravity practice!)

Gravity Athlete Requirements for Practice:

Athletes who are new to the High School Team, or new to attending gravity practice, must contact Coach Christoph before attending a gravity practice. Participants need a strong level of fitness and technical ability. A typical practice consists of 2-3 hours, 10-25 miles, and 1,500 to 3,000 feet of climbing. This is NOT a downhill only team, and athletes should be capable of climbing all local trail systems without frequent stops.  Other qualifications include: advanced cornering technique, a level of proficiency doing manuals, wheelies, and drops, and a level of comfort riding steep, loose, and technical terrain. 

Gravity Equipment Requirements:

  • A mountain bike with a minimum 140 mm of rear travel and 150 mm of front travel, with a head tube angle of 66.0 degrees or lower, and a dropper post.
  • Protective gear for every practice including a mountain bike specific enduro knee pads, trail rated helmet, and glasses. 
  • For certain practices and all races you may also need more advanced protective equipment, such as: a full face helmet, chest protector, and elbow pads.
  • For all lift accessed practices, a DH certified helmet (ASTM F1952) is required

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. Athletes will develop their technique on drops, manuals, wheelies, step-ups, technical line choice, race tactics, basic bike repair, suspension setup, nutrition and more. We’ll also include sprint training, intervals, and endurance training.

This is a gravity-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.

We provide coaching and team support at several Revolution Enduro and Big Mountain Enduro races each season. The exact schedule of races with BJC team support will be determined as the season unfolds. For a full calendar of events BJC plans on attending, follow link HERE

Additionally, each season we lead half and full day backcountry and high alpine team rides to expose riders to new trails, new terrain, and new riding experiences!

What is Enduro?

An Enduro race consists of several timed stages linked by un-timed transition stages. The race stages consist of technical downhills mixed with short climbs and flat sprints. All the downhill stages are added to make up the total race time. All the stages and transitions combined can sum up to 20+ miles per day, and most are even multi-day events. This is why it is absolutely key to to have both endurance and technical handling ability to ensure a safe and fast experience when racing Enduro.

Where do we ride?

All over Boulder County and surrounding areas. Typical trails include Hall Ranch, Walker Ranch, White Ranch, Apex-Enchanted Forest, Floyd Hill, Maryland Mountain, Valmont Bike Park, and Trestle Bike Park. Locations are announced weekly in advance to provide families time to plan logistics.

2024 High School Team Spring/Summer Season

  • 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
  • Read details about the High School Team here.

In the fall season, we will offer a gravity program for high school athletes who do not do cyclocross.