Required Gear List – High School Team

The following gear is required: Don’t show up to practice unprepared!

Things to Carry!

A cycling backpack/Camelbak/hip pack: This helps you carry extra layers so you’re prepared, as well as tools, parts, food, and other gear.
Repair Kit: (required for every ride)
- Spare tube (your size, and valve type)
- Tire levers
- A pump or CO2
- Multi-Tool
Daytime Running Light (rear) This must be a rear blinking light designed for daytime. Not a cheap low-level blinking light. (For all road rides.)
- Day Running Lights Recommendations

Clothing

The following clothing items are required because we ride in all weather. If you don’t have any of these items, we ask you to acquire them. Contact Pete for freebies if you are on a tight budget.

HS Team Clothing/ Riding gear Recommendations and layering advice:

Upper Body Gear

Jacket: Riders must bring a jacket to every practice. Choose a waterproof, insulated option for protection. The top layer is key—it should block the elements while allowing flexibility to remove or unzip as needed. Fully waterproof jackets prevent rain but can trap sweat, while insulated, water-resistant layers offer better breathability but less rain protection.
- Recommendations
  - Cuore Gold Clear Jacket
  - Bontrager Circuit Cycling Rain Jacket
Long Sleeve Jersey: necessary whenever it’s cold. This is a Fleece or Insulated layer, not simply a Long Sleeve Thin Jersey.
- Recommendations:
  - Cuore Next Men Silver L/Sleeve Thermal Jersey
  - Trek Circuit Thermal Long Sleeve Cycling Jersey
Base Layers: The best way to handle changing weather is by layering undershirts. We recommend tank tops, short sleeves, and long sleeves. A wool or merino blend is ideal for moisture-wicking and warmth. Avoid polyester or cotton, as they absorb moisture. The best base layers wick moisture while retaining heat, with wool being the top choice
- Recommendations:
  - Cuore L/Sleeve Merino Baselayer
  - Skiing Merino layers are great options for this:
    - REI Merino Wool Base Layer
Buff: A buff or neck gaiter is a versatile and essential cycling accessory. It protects the face and neck from wind chill and can double as a cap in cold weather. Highly functional and adaptable, it’s a recommended gear item for all riders.
- Recommendations: These can be found in a variety of fabrics and lengths, we recommend wool or fleece fabrics and the longer the better in most cases. These are common swag at races too!
  - The Explorer Tube Neck Gaitor
  - Bontrager Convertible Cycling Neck Gaiter
Warm Hat: Proper headgear is crucial for cold-weather riding. A thermal skullcap is essential in cold, wet conditions, and layering it with a thermal ear band adds warmth. Choose snug, thin options that fit smoothly under your helmet. Since significant heat loss occurs through the head and extremities, a balance of insulation and breathability is key. We recommend covering ears below 50 deg F the same as leg warmers.
- Recommendations:
  - Bontrager Thermal Cycling Cap
  - Under Helmet Cap
  - Unisex IP Under Helmet Thermal Cap
  - Half Sized Buff for a more dynamic hat, that can cover ears in the early am but removed easily when it warms up.
Insulated Winter Gloves: Warm gloves are essential for cold or wet rides. Thin cycling gloves won’t provide enough warmth, and most long-finger MTB gloves lack insulation. Opt for wool or thermal gloves, ideally with insulation. Nordic skiing gloves are a great option, and many bike shops now carry insulated cycling gloves
- Recommendations:

Lower Body Gear

Wool Socks/ Insulated Socks: Cold feet make unhappy riders, wool socks provide the best warmth and breathability. Similar to base layers it is best to have wool as the next to skin layer for its moisture wicking capabilities while retaining its insulation.
- Recommendations:
  - Trek Race Crew Merino Wool Cycling Sock
  - Our BJC Defeet Socks are a great option!
  - DeFeet Wooleator Comp 6″ Team DeFeet Socks
Bike Shoe Covers: Insulated or neoprene booties are excellent for wet and cold conditions, helping maintain full-body warmth. Most are designed for road shoes, making it harder to find a good fit for XC MTB shoes. Pearl Izumi offers some of the best options for MTB shoe compatibility. Recommendations:
Leg Warmers or Tights: Riders must cover their legs when temperatures drop below 60°F. Converting bibs into tights is a great solution—they provide warmth in the morning and can be easily removed as temperatures rise. A cycling essential!
- Recommendations:
  - Cuore Virtue Thermal Leg Warmer, White logo
  - Trek Thermal Cycling Leg Warmer
Knee Pads: For all Gravity practices, knee pads are mandatory!
- Recommendations:
  - Rapha Trail Knee Pads
  - Fox Racing Enduro Knee Sleeve Guards
- More Robust Options (ie for Park Days/Lift Service)
  - Troy Lee Designs Raid Knee Guard Solid Black
  - Sweet Protection Knee Guards Pro Hard Shell
Rain Pants or Water Resistant tights (Optional): Great to have when really cold and wet.
- Recommendations:
  - Bontrager Velocis Unpadded Softshell Cycling Bib Tight
  - Pearl Izumi Men’s Expedition Thermal Cycling Bib Tights
Gore-Tex Riding Pants: Great for wet and cold weather riding on the Enduro bike. (knee pads still required underneath pants)
- Recommendations:
  - Stio Men’s OPR Pant
  - Ride 100% Hydromatic Pant

General Bike Requirements by Discipline

Endurance athletes are required to have both a mountain bike and a road, gravel or cyclocross bike, capable of riding pavement and gravel.

Cross-Country Mountain Bike – race type
- Must have dropper post
- We recommend cross-country tires, not “trail” tires

Road Bike (cyclocross or gravel bikes are most commonly used)
- Must have 28 mm tires or greater for dirt roads

Enduro Bike (gravity riders)
- Must have min 140mm rear travel and 150mm front travel
- Must have dropper post
- Tire inserts (cushcore) strongly recommended