High School Program: August 1 thru October-
HS season registration opens May 1st!
Welcome to High School Mountain Biking for the Highlands Ranch area!
DID YOU KNOW THAT MOUNTAIN BIKING IS THE FASTEST GROWING HIGH SCHOOL SPORT??
Boys and Girls from the Highlands Ranch area high schools (Rock Canyon, Thunder Ridge, Mountain Vista, STEM, Highlands Ranch HS and Valor) will make up the team. We even have a few folks who reside in this area but attend other schools/home school.
Both experienced and beginner riders are welcome. In fact, we have many riders who barely rode a bike at all before joining the team! Don’t be shy. Your skill level will increase tremendously after a few weeks of practice.
The team is affiliated with NICA, Colorado High School League, and the area high schools.
A great deal of information is over on the high school league website: www.Coloradomtb.org, and we are beginning to have more information on our own website. Please free free to email the team, if you have specific questions: hrcyclingclub@gmail.com.
Both experienced and beginner riders are welcome. In fact, we have many riders who barely rode a bike at all before joining the team! Don’t be shy. Your skill level will increase tremendously after a few weeks of practice.
The team is affiliated with NICA, Colorado High School League, and the area high schools.
A great deal of information is over on the high school league website: www.Coloradomtb.org, and we are beginning to have more information on our own website. Please free free to email the team, if you have specific questions: hrcyclingclub@gmail.com.
OUR SEASON
The Colorado High School mountain bike league is a fall sport. The season starts August 1, and ends at the end of October, with a team celebration finishing up the season at the beginning of November.
Our Highlands Ranch area High School teams travel (together) to 4 conference races, as well as a state championship race. Athletes from all Highlands Ranch area High schools are welcome to train and race. While racing is not mandatory, it is encouraged. All Highlands Ranch area high schools will practice, travel, and race together. The heart of the High School team is skill development embedded in a culture of fun and team camaraderie. Talk to anyone on the team, and they will tell you: the season is so much more than a handful of races!
All riders will need to register with the Colorado League and are responsible for all race fees. Check out our Quick Guide for all the details on signing up.
Note that scholarships and loaner equipment may be available through the Junior Development Team.
2019 Dates: August 1 thru October 21
Practice Days: 3 days per week
Practice Time: 5:00 -‐ 7:00 (this adjusts as days get shorter)
Minimum # Riders: 6
Rider # Cap: 150
Team Cost: $300, plus $40 for jersey (if needed)
League Cost: $70
Race Cost: $65 (per race)
Sessions: 39
Our Highlands Ranch area High School teams travel (together) to 4 conference races, as well as a state championship race. Athletes from all Highlands Ranch area High schools are welcome to train and race. While racing is not mandatory, it is encouraged. All Highlands Ranch area high schools will practice, travel, and race together. The heart of the High School team is skill development embedded in a culture of fun and team camaraderie. Talk to anyone on the team, and they will tell you: the season is so much more than a handful of races!
All riders will need to register with the Colorado League and are responsible for all race fees. Check out our Quick Guide for all the details on signing up.
Note that scholarships and loaner equipment may be available through the Junior Development Team.
2019 Dates: August 1 thru October 21
Practice Days: 3 days per week
Practice Time: 5:00 -‐ 7:00 (this adjusts as days get shorter)
Minimum # Riders: 6
Rider # Cap: 150
Team Cost: $300, plus $40 for jersey (if needed)
League Cost: $70
Race Cost: $65 (per race)
Sessions: 39
PRACTICES
The team rides together three times per week, of which two are mandatory. All high schools ride together as a team in the Highlands Ranch Backcountry. We break up into 4 to 6 groups based on skill level, and always have a great time. Student athletes are accompanied by a small army of volunteer ride leaders and coaches.
The times for practice generally fall from 5 to 7pm, though it moves up a bit later in fall because of failing sunlight.
Team get-togethers include spaghetti suppers and trail maintenance days. The season culminates with a team banquet just after the state championship.
The times for practice generally fall from 5 to 7pm, though it moves up a bit later in fall because of failing sunlight.
Team get-togethers include spaghetti suppers and trail maintenance days. The season culminates with a team banquet just after the state championship.
FALL 2019 RACES
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While the team enjoys practicing as one large group, we all race for our respective high schools on race day. It is a wonderful experience to be cheering on not only for your own school, but for the other schools that are in close proximity to your own. Together, the Highlands Ranch Junior Cycling team comprises one of the larger groups at each race.
Each high school rider wears their own jersey and colors. Points are scored for each high school. Races are not mandatory, though certainly encouraged. The fee for entry is about $60 per race. The locations range all over Colorado, and become a weekend event. They happen every other week in the fall, totaling four races, plus an additional 5th race in Durango, CO for the State Championship (for qualifiers). |
2019 RACE SCHEDULE
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EQUIPMENT
Each rider is required to wear a helmet, goggles/sunglasses, and needs a mountain bike in good working order. Team jerseys for races are required (purchased typically during your first season with the team). Gloves are also highly recommended.
Do not let the state of your mountain bike deter you from joining the team!! You will see crazy $10k bikes, and you will see Walmart specials. Just get out and ride… you will quickly find that no one judges you for the age or wear of your bike (well, maybe if you are riding the $10k bike…then we’ll judge you if you don’t buy dinner for the team).
Each rider is required to wear a helmet, goggles/sunglasses, and needs a mountain bike in good working order. Team jerseys for races are required (purchased typically during your first season with the team). Gloves are also highly recommended.
Do not let the state of your mountain bike deter you from joining the team!! You will see crazy $10k bikes, and you will see Walmart specials. Just get out and ride… you will quickly find that no one judges you for the age or wear of your bike (well, maybe if you are riding the $10k bike…then we’ll judge you if you don’t buy dinner for the team).
FEES
There are a few separate fees to pay to get you through the season. For first timers, it can seem a little confusing.
There are a few separate fees to pay to get you through the season. For first timers, it can seem a little confusing.
$300First, there is the team fee, which covers the costs of our Highlands Ranch team. We are lucky to be subsidized by some great sponsors, which keeps your costs lower than they might be.
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$70Second, there is the “league registration” fee that is paid to the Colorado High School Cycling League. This fee covers all riders with insurance at practices and races and helps to fund the fantastic race weekends.
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$65Third, there is the per-race fee, which technically is optional since racing is optional. But when you enter each of the four races during the season, you pay this $65 fee (4 races = $260), which adds your name to the racing roster for each race.
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$40Fourth, your jersey. If you plan on racing for your high school, you are required to wear your high school’s jersey. It’s also great to have a uniform that represents your school!
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All fees are paid online through “The Pit Zone” — which we provide a link to, and is accessible from www.coloradomtb.org. It’s pretty easy to navigate once you do it the first time.
All the details on signing up and payments, etc., can be found on our handy Sign Up Quick Guide page!
All the details on signing up and payments, etc., can be found on our handy Sign Up Quick Guide page!
COACHES AND VOLUNTEERS
This team is supported by an amazing set of volunteers, starting with our head coaches, Roger Ryburn and his oldest son, Clancy Ryburn. We couldn’t ask for better leaders for these kids, and their investment in each of their lives is immeasurable. And they don’t get paid a dime.
Our Ride Leaders are critical volunteer staff that allow us to have a ratio of adult leaders to student riders hovering around 6-to-1, which is amazing. Three nights a week, a large group of parents saddle up and ride the trails with our student athletes, and develop a camaraderie with the team that is nothing short of magical.
Finally, each of the parents give back to the team throughout the season, through managing our hectic race days, hosting team dinners, bringing food for the team tent, etc. etc. etc. We couldn’t do it without the parents!
This team is supported by an amazing set of volunteers, starting with our head coaches, Roger Ryburn and his oldest son, Clancy Ryburn. We couldn’t ask for better leaders for these kids, and their investment in each of their lives is immeasurable. And they don’t get paid a dime.
Our Ride Leaders are critical volunteer staff that allow us to have a ratio of adult leaders to student riders hovering around 6-to-1, which is amazing. Three nights a week, a large group of parents saddle up and ride the trails with our student athletes, and develop a camaraderie with the team that is nothing short of magical.
Finally, each of the parents give back to the team throughout the season, through managing our hectic race days, hosting team dinners, bringing food for the team tent, etc. etc. etc. We couldn’t do it without the parents!
