Cross Country Mountain Bike Race Team

Updated 2/1/24

The Cross-Country Team trains together on and off the bike to become better riders, smarter racers and supportive teammates.

We build the technical skills, physical & mental strength and stamina required to cover longer distances over bigger terrain with ease and speed.

For riders in grades 6 – 12 who want to pedal stronger, climb easier and descend faster. We primarily focus on races that require very hard pedaling for 30 minutes to 2 hours. Some experienced team riders may focus on longer endurance events like the High Cascade 100 or gravel racing as well.

  • Expert coaches share their understanding of skills, fitness and race preparation to help riders succeed
  • Ride technical terrain with more speed, strength, confidence and flow
  • Train together to acquire the skills, fitness and judgement required to ride in new locations & events.

XC riders work hard on and off the bike to improve all aspects of their training and racing.

2024 Overview

  • Outside team practices March – October divided into Spring, Summer and Fall sessions and training camps.
  • Weekends are a mix of local rides, day trips, travel to events and training camps.
  • Team travel to events is optional and priced per trip.
  • Training plan availbale from Coach Bill through TrainingPeaks for interested riders.
  • Strength training at Embark Fitness nearly year-round, with additional winter indoor cycling options. Winter session begins January 22, 2024, details and enrollment here.

Mandatory for Participation:

  • Riders must be in grade 6 – 12, age 13+ for overnight trips / camps.
  • Positive attitude, ready to learn, prepared to ride every day
  • Helmet, gloves, extra tube, multi-tool, water and snack on every ride
  • Riders must have experience and ability to ride intermediate trails with a base level of fitness to pedal uphill for extended periods of time.
  • Modern mountain bike suitable for rough terrain (lightweight full suspension is best, or modern hardtail)
  • Must come prepared with appropriate clothing and bike for weather and riding location

Coaching Support

Weekly team practices provide the appropriate amount of work and correct training loads for all riders to have a successful season.

  • Progressive: our systematic training and skills progression is proven to keep juniors progressing throughout each season and for their entire time as a junior racer.
  • Regular attendance is important because coaches shape each practice to build up each rider’s skill, fitness, and knowledge.
  • Training Plan: in addition to the group rides under coach supervision, XC Team riders have access to our online training program through TrainingPeaks to see any specific planned workouts, record activities and get specific feedback from the coaches as needed. Read Coach Bill’s article to learn more: Training Peaks Explained
  • “On your own training” – we support riders who wish to ride additional days per week: follow the training plan, use the TeamSnap to meet up with teammates for a ride, and team riders have access to Cog Wild’s shuttles for additional ride opportunities, talk to your coaches to make a ride plan that works for you.

Bill Warburton

Coach Bill loves teaching all aspects of racing and training. He manages the entire CJC program and rides with various groups each week.

Individualized Performance Coaching Option

For riders who cannot attend regular team practices but would like to work with our coaches to improve your fitness, riding skills or racing tactics.

We have experience supporting riders remotely and in-person so whether you live in Bend, Sisters, Redmond or Portland we can discuss if this would be a good fit for you. Coaching takes many forms and our team of coaches offers a wide range of skills to help developing junior riders:

  • Individualized mountain bike skills assessment & progressive coaching sessions
  • Access to our team camps, travel with us to races or stay with us when you arrive
  • Coaching and mechanical support for practice days at various races
  • General “group training plan” or individualized training plan from one of our coaches through TrainingPeaks for full season insights, goal-setting and measuring improvements

2024 XC Race Team Race Schedule

We have a full season outlined with day trips, overnight camps and travel to races. Racing is optional but encouraged as it provides focus to your training and is a great way to ride new places, challenge yourself, and apply your skills on a variety of trails.

  • EVENTS IN BOLD RED are team trips for training or racing with your coaches, sign up for them below under “Team Travel.” Typically includes food, lodging, coaching, etc. and we recommend riders do these trips with the team. However, sometimes families want to either join in for the trip or meet us at the event so talk to us if you want to make special arrangements.
  • EVENTS IN BOLD BLUE are Cog Wild Adventure Days that are open to the public but our riders get a discount to attend. You may be riding with your coach or mixed in with adult riders. Includes transport and lunch for $100. Parents are encouraged to check these out, too! Sign up below under “Adventure Rides.”
  • EVENTS IN BOLD BLACK are either on your own or tentative plans, see note for each. Use TeamSnap to coordinate.
  • All of these events will be available in the TeamSnap calendar for access through the app or at the bottom of this page.
  • April 6: Mudslinger XC Race – Blodgett, OR, team day trip
  • April 13 & 14: Bonecrusher STXC Saturday, XCO Sunday, team day trip Sunday for sure.
  • April 19 – 23: Sea Otter Training Camp & Races – registration is open, camp onsite with the team, choose from Enduro 4/20, XC 40km Fuego 4/23, Dual Slalom, DH Beginner (finals Sat PM because we leave Sunday noon)
  • May 5, 2024: Post Canyon Practice / Fun Ride – day trip to Hood River to just ride or preview the CDC enduro stages.
  • May 8 – 12: Soldier Hollow Pan-Am Champs – not much info yet, we should do a team trip if we have 4+ riders.
  • May 18: Silver Falls OBRA XC Champs: team day trip.
  • May 26: Dog River SuperD – near Mt. Hood, super rad event that XC riders should do. 25 – 30 min run mostly downhill with a 4 – 5 min climb in the middle. Team day trip with practice run, race and ride more.
  • May 26: Sisters Stampede – local XC race, same day as Dog River, your choice. No team van to Sisters.
  • June 8: Missoula XCO UCI Race – Missoula, MT, possible trip if we have a group who wants this level of racing, otherwise on your own.
  • June 8: Spence Mountain Mayhem – new event, we’ll discuss if we want to go for a team day trip, otherwise we’ll do our own Ochoco ride.
  • June 8, 2024: Cog Wild Adventure Ride: Ochocos – day trip to Lookout / Round or Scotty / Cougar.
  • June 18 – 20: Oakridge Team Camp – 3 days of amazing riding, 2 nights at Black Canyon campground with food and shuttles in Oakridge, OR — open to Cascadia Club, Enduro & XC teams up to 25 riders.
  • July & Aug: Mt. Bachelor Gravity Series – Fridays – sign up and race for fun, talk to us if you want to rent a bike from Cog Wild for it.
  • August TBD: Cyclocross Camp in Hood River, OR
  • August 3, 2024: Cog Wild Adventure Ride: OCC 1 – ride with us in the Old Cascade Crest zone, several ride options ranging from “not easy” to “very challenging.”
  • August 14, 2024: Flagline Trailwork – help us clear Flagline so it’s ready for opening day on August 15.
  • August 17, 2024: Cog Wild Adventure Ride: OCC 2 – Browder / Gate Creek or Spence MTN

Team Clothing & Uniforms

For 2024, riders will receive a casual t-shirt + a team jersey from Jakroo — choose from full-zip, short sleeve tech tee or long sleeve tech tee. All other items are available for purchase at cost.

Strength Training & Indoor Rides

  • Team Winter Session:
    • Mondays 1/22/24 – 3/11/24
    • 4:30-5:30 PM
    • Embark Fitness
  • Option to add indoor cycling classes at discounted rate.
  • As of Feb. 1, 2024 only Spring session and trips are open for enrollment. Summer & Fall options will be added in the next couple weeks.
  • Tuition assistance is available — send a written request to Bill@cogwild.com before enrolling below.
  • Teen Work Study is available — all teens can volunteer as assistants, or for age 16 – 18 they can apply to work as paid interns over the summer to help with our youth programs.
  • T-shirt and one jersey included this season.
  • Cog Wild Shuttle Pass: team riders can access one shuttle per week when enrolled.
  • TrainingPeaks plan included for all riders to follow for daily training guidance

Spring XC Team – open for enrollment

  • March 13 – June 5, 13 weeks
  • Mondays Team Strength Info & Sign Up here
  • Wednesdays After School Spring Practice: 3:15 – 6:15 PM with your coaches.
  • Spring Weekends: due to team travel, the weekends are mixed activities. Tuition includes either a local team ride on the weekend, covers riders who meet us at events, or we may have bonus rides, or use your Cog Wild Shuttle Pass to ride on your own. Full calendar will be posted in TeamSnap app and at bottom of this page so riders can make plans.
  • Team Travel: trips outside of our local area are priced separately. Use the links above or through TeamSnap to add them.
  • Spring Team $995

Summer XC Team – enrollment coming later Feb.

  • Summer Session: July 3 – August 1, with multiple practices to choose from each week!
  • Given that August is filled with bonus rides, camps, trips, events and vacations there will be no regular weekday practices scheduled.
  • Mondays Strength: optional add on through Embark
  • Choose your rides per week: sign up for “1-day” or “2-day” so you can choose from the following weekday practices:
  • A. Wednesday Morning Workout: July 3 – 31, 8:45 – 11:45 AM. Open to any Enduro or XC team riders who want to attend this practice to prioritize building fitness with structured workouts and fitness-related development challenges.
  • B. Wednesday Afternoon Team Ride: July 3 – 31, 3:30 – 6:30 PM. Open to any Enduro or XC team riders who want to attend this time slot any week. We may split by XC / Enduro or ride together.
  • C. Thursday Morning Team Ride: July 11 – August 1: 8:45 – 11:45 AM. No practice July 4. Open to any Enduro or XC team riders who want to attend this time slot any week. We may split by XC or Enduro or ride together.
  • Bonus rides, trips & events are all posted in TeamSnap — some activities are included while others have a standalone fee.
  • Summer Team 1 Weekly Ride $TBD – most riders should do this option | 2 Weekly Rides $TBD – perfect for those wanting to do the workout plus a team ride.
  • Note that you can “average out” your rides over the session by attending multiple rides each week when you’re available.

Fall Options – enrollment coming later Feb.

  • There is no official cross-country team in the fall.
  • Most XC riders join the Cyclocross Team for the fall or join the NICA league to continue XC racing.
  • Another option is to switch to our Enduro Team for a 6-week extension to continue riding on Wednesdays on fun trails.

Enroll through TeamSnap

  • We’re using TeamSnap to take team registration and tuition payment for 2024.
  • Trips and Camps will use Flybook for payments — they are different buttons / systems.
  • TeamSnap returning riders or existing account — login with your main household email and add family members as needed — avoid making multiple accounts for your family.
  • New riders will establish an account through the registration process.
  • Payment options:
    • Pay in full at checkout or set up a 3-month payment plan through TeamSnap.
    • Pay at our office with cash or check, choose “offline payment” at checkout.
    • Prorates / credits / tuition assistance — use “offline payment” at checkout and talk to Bill