High School Team

This page updated 1/17/25

BJC’s High School race team combines endurance and gravity disciplines into one squad. This includes road/gravel, cross-country, and gravity/enduro. Athletes will be able to focus on their favorite discipline, but will be encouraged to try all types of riding. The program is suitable for intermediate and expert riders 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.

BJC was founded in 2006 and has been designated a “Center of Excellence” for junior development by USA Cycling every year since 2008. Athlete Wellness and SafeSport is a high priority for BJC. We’re proud to have earned Gold Level Certification, the highest level available.

The High School race team spans spring and summer. In the fall season the team moves to cyclocross 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 combined both the endurance and gravity disciplines into one team.

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/gravel riding, while riders with a gravity focus will stick to mountain biking.

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.

This is a race-focused program and we encourage athletes to train for and participate in races. 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’ll attend designated team races with coaching, support, and a base camp. The exact schedule of team races varies from year to year, but a tentative schedule for the year is here.

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, Eli Strauss, Paul Rapinz, Lydia Tanner, and guest coaching from pro riders Ruth Edwards and Noah Granigan.

Here is a required gear list. Gravity athletes will need a bike that meets criteria listed here. Endurance athletes are required to have both a mountain bike and a road/gravel/cyclocross bike. 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. Additionally, 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 a good fit for the team.

2025 Details

Dates: March 4 – July 24 (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, gravel, and enduro 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
Gravity athletes will need a bike that meets criteria listed here.
Endurance athletes are required to have both a mountain bike and a road/gravel/cyclocross
All athletes and parents are required to take a SafeSport course before the first practice. (Instructions will be sent.)
Contact us for questions about partial season, or athletes who play multiple sports
New athletes must contact Coach Christoph before registering
Register here. Deadline Feb. 10, 2025
Cost: $1,995

Questions? Please contact Coach Christoph Cikraji

Discipline Specific Notes

Gravity
- Gravity details & gear/bike requirements are listed here
- 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 on road rides

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.