Registration for the Fall 2020 season opens Friday Aug. 14 at 7 am here.
If you have a credit from 2020 spring programs, you can use that to pay program fees. Contact Pete for registration coupon codes.
Cyclocross is a great entry point to the sport of cycling. It’s the perfect tool for developing bike skills and getting started with racing. It’s also an ideal classroom for learning life lessons. Over the past 11 years, our cyclocross program has grown to over 100 riders from age 8 to 18. We’ve built an incredible team of coaches who bring a high level of passion and experience to the program. The core of our program is after-school practices. We add racing on the weekends. The result is skills that will last a lifetime.
In 2020 we are implementing a number of safety protocols including small groups, distancing, staggered times and locations, and many other steps recommended by health officials. We will continue to monitor the situation and follow the advice of expert medical sources. Read our Corona Precautions and Policies.
Read these testimonials from previous BJC participants.
Program Summary (Updated Aug. 10, 2020)
-Various levels based on age and experience from age 8 to 18. For ages 6 to 8 check out our Young Devo program.
-2020 dates: Sept. 8 – Nov. 19 (and beyond)
-Afternoon practice 2 days a week (days vary according to level)-Races on weekends (…2020 TBD)
-Experienced, well-trained, paid coaching staff
-Our biggest emphasis is on teaching life lessons thru sport, developing fundamental bike skills, and having fun
-Open, encouraging, team-based approach for all levels
-A sequential program that follows kids as they develop, from beginners to the World Championships
Read our Corona Precautions and Policies
Read our Cancellation Policy
Levels
3 Devo Levels for age 8-14:
-Zolder: Age 8+ with 0 years of cyclocross experience (Minimum age 8 as of Sept. 1. Ages 6-8 can try our Young Devo program.)
-Loenhout: Age ~9+ with 0-2 years of cyclocross experience
-Diegem: Age ~10-18 with more than 2 years of experience and mastery of core cyclocross skills
-Coaches place the riders into the appropriate level and may make adjustments during the season.
2 High School Levels:
-CX High – For high school MTB racers who are new to cyclocross (Details below)
-Hoogerheide – Age 14-18 with significant cyclocross racing experience (Details below)
Practice Dates & Times & Locations
-2020 Dates: Sept 8 – Nov. 22 (Hoogerheide goes till Dec. 13)
-All practices are 4:15 – 6:15 pm
-Devo groups (age 8-14) choose Monday & Wednesday OR Tuesday & Thursday
-Hoogerheide practice is Tuesday & Wednesday (may be adjusted as school allows, e.g. we may meet Monday instead of Tuesday)
-CX High practice is one day per week, Mondays
-After Nov. 1 there is less daylight and we ride with lights. We’ll share info how to buy inexpensive lights.
We rotate locations regularly to provide new terrain and challenges for the riders. Examples include: Tantra Park, Scott Carpenter Park, and Valmont Bike Park. We also use two privately-owned courses.
Devo Team Details
-2020 Dates: Sept 8 – Nov. 22
-All practices are 4:15 – 6:15 pm
-Choose Monday & Wednesday OR Tuesday & Thursday
-Cost $550
Hoogerheide Team Details
The co-ed Hoogerheide Team is a 14-week program for experienced cyclocross racers who have mastered the competencies in the Devo program, are high-school aged, and who want to be a part of a competitive team. This is the continuation of our spring/summer High School program and includes all the coaching, mentorship, and team building activities that make our team so successful. Most team riders also participate in high school MTB racing simultaneously, and the programs complement each other. New athletes should contact high school programs manager Joe Lewis before the season.
-Includes full-time coaching and mentorship
-Includes Training Peaks account and full-time training plan
-Racing is expected for this group. Calendar will include CX, MTB, road, and gravel racing
-Participation in out-of-state race trips require added fees
-Support at races includes coaching, base camp, feed zone, etc
-Cost: $875
CX High Details
A program for High School MTB racers who want to try cyclocross but still focus on the High School MTB season. The program will complement the High School MTB schedule, with one practice per week focused on CX skills.
This program is different from the Hoogerheide Team, which is geared toward experienced CX racers. But the two programs will work together and athletes can join the Hoogerheide Team once they master the necessary skills. Come see why cyclocross is so much fun, and how it helps you become a better mountain bike or road racer.
-Practice on 6 Mondays from Sept. 7 – Oct. 12, 4:15 – 6:15 pm (will adjust as school allows)
-Athletes may extend the season and move to Hoogerheide after CX High program concludes (add’l fees apply)
-Does not include training plans
-Mountain bikes are totally OK to use for your first season. If you don’t want to buy a new bike, just get started on your MTB!
-Contact us to see if loaner CX bikes are available
-Cost $175
Scholarships
We offer scholarships for families who qualify, or options for paying fees in installments. Here’s more information or contact coach Pete should you have any other questions on applying. The deadline to submit the application is July 31st 2019.
Bad Weather
We almost NEVER cancel practice due to bad weather. We ride in the rain and snow! Be ready! Please dress for the conditions that day! This will range from very hot to very cold, and include rain, snow, wind, sleet, etc. When trails are too muddy to ride, we’ll ride other locations. In the case of extreme weather we will cancel practice, but it almost never happens. We do not provide make up days.
Cyclocross Racing
(2020 racing TBD) Racing is not required, but most kids choose to race at least a couple times to apply the skills they’ve learned and see their improvements. But nobody should feel pressure to race. There are plenty of BJC riders who don’t want to race, and that is totally fine! There are categories for every age and ability, and the kids really have fun. Events are sanctioned by Bicycle Racing Association of Colorado (BRAC) and are scattered up and down the Front Range. An average rider will do about 8-10 races per season and the older riders will race as many as 15-20 events. There are races available nearly every weekend from early September till mid December.
At roughly 10-12 designated “team races” BJC provides coaching, support, and a dedicated team tent and base camp. This is included in program fees.
The exact schedule of “team races” with BJC team support will be determined as the season approaches. Sometimes, weather or other factors require us to change the races with BJC team support.
Racing License
Riders must have a license to race. ($40 for a USA Cycling license plus $15 for a Colorado license) Details here.
Equipment
Riders need their own cyclocross or mountain bike as well as a helmet and appropriate clothing (rain jacket, gloves, cold weather gear, etc.). You can buy and sell gear on the BJC Facebook group. All athletes qualify for discounts at our team’s favorite bike shops: Full Cycle and Excel Sports. We also offer big savings on bikes thru Giant Bicycles, the official bike sponsor of BJC. Orders are placed via Full Cycle. (Contact us for details)
Do you need a cyclocross bike?
– Mountain bikes are totally OK to use for your first season. If you don’t want to buy a new bike, just get started on your MTB!
– Cyclocross bikes are fun and a bit faster than a MTB, so most athletes eventually prefer a cyclocross bike. If want to race a lot and are seeking the highest performance, take the plunge and buy a cyclocross bike. (Ask us about deals.)
Team Clothing
Team uniforms are pre-ordered by individuals prior to the season. Clothing must be ordered and paid for directly from the Cuore online store. Clothing is not included in program fees and there is no inventory of clothing held by BJC.
Generally an email will be sent when the online store is open, and will be posted on the facebook or web page. Ordering typically happens in mid July and the gear takes 6 weeks to be produced.
General details for clothing orders are here.
Team uniforms are not required, but most riders choose to purchase them. A team jersey and shorts are great to have, and many kids also get long sleeve jerseys, jackets, and racing skin suits. The uniforms for the Road Racing, Mountain Biking, and Cyclocross teams are all the same.