Cross Country Mountain Bike Race Team

Updated 2/3/25

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

Open to experienced middle school and high school riders in grades 6 – 12.

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

2025 Overview

  • Outside team practices March – August with Spring and Summer sessions, then riders can choose Enduro or Cyclocross for the fall.
  • Weekends are a mix of local team rides, day trips, travel to events, or “on your own” training.
  • Discounted pricing on Cog Wild Adventure Rides.
  • Training plan available from Coach Bill through TrainingPeaks for interested riders.
  • Strength training at Embark Fitness year-round, with additional winter indoor cycling options. Details and enrollment here.

Mandatory for Participation:

  • Riders must be in grade 6 – 12, age 13+ for overnight trips.
  • Positive attitude about yourself, your team, and arrive ready to learn
  • Motivated to learn and do the work needed to improve
  • Helmet, gloves, extra tube, multi-tool, water and snack on every ride
  • Riders must have experience and ability to ride intermediate or advanced 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, but hardtail with dropper is okay)
  • 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: some fitness workouts are built in to team practices, but we offer a comprehensive training plan through TrainingPeaks for those who have fitness performance goals. 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. Level 2 PMBIA certified skills instructor.

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

  • Strength Training at Embark Fitness:
    • Mondays
    • 4:30-5:30 PM
    • Embark Fitness is across from Summit High School at 2843 NW Lolo Drive, Bend, OR 97703
  • Winter training option to add indoor cycling classes at discounted rate.
Strength Training INFO & SIGN UP

2025 XC Race Team Race Schedule

In addition to weekly practice, we run day trips, overnight camps and travel together to races. Racing is optional but encouraged.

  • EVENTS IN BOLD RED are team trips for riders to attend with the coaches.
  • EVENTS IN BOLD BLUE are Cog Wild Adventure Days that are open to the public and our riders get a discount to attend.
  • EVENTS IN BOLD BLACK are not confirmed trips but you might want to attend. Message coaches if you’re going or use SportsYou to coordinate carpools / meeting teammates at events.
  • April: Mudslinger XC Race – Blodgett, OR, team day trip
  • April: Bonecrusher STXC Saturday, XCO Sunday, team day trip Sunday for sure.
  • April: Sea Otter Training Camp & Races – registration is open, camp onsite with the team, choose from Enduro, XC 40km Fuego 4/23, Dual Slalom, DH Beginner (finals Sat PM because we leave Sunday noon)
  • May: Post Canyon Practice / Fun Ride – day trip to Hood River to just ride or preview the CDC enduro stages.
  • May: Soldier Hollow Pan-Am Champs – not much info yet, we should do a team trip if we have 4+ riders.
  • May: Silver Falls OBRA XC Champs: team day trip.
  • May: Sisters Stampede – local XC race, same day as Dog River, your choice. No team van to Sisters.
  • June: Cog Wild Adventure Ride: Ochocos – day trip to Lookout / Round or Scotty / Cougar.
  • June: 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: 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: Flagline Trailwork – help us clear Flagline so it’s ready for opening day on August 15.
  • August: Cog Wild Adventure Ride: OCC 2 – Browder / Gate Creek or Spence MTN

Tuition

TRIP SIGN UP

Enroll for any “Cog Wild Adventure Days” here:

  • 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.
  • 1 T-shirt + 1 team uniform item included this season.
  • Cog Wild Shuttle Pass: team riders can access one shuttle per week when enrolled.
  • Team trips and Cog Wild Adventure Days priced separately, see above.
  • TrainingPeaks plan included for all riders to follow for daily training guidance

XC Team Spring Session

  • 2 enrollment options for this spring:
  • MAIN PRACTICE: Wednesdays After School: 3:15 – 6:15 PM. Begins March 12, practices run for 13-weeks. Join for a prorated amount once the session has started. This is our default practice day.
  • Tuesdays After School: 4:30 – 7:00 pm. ONLY for those with a conflict on Wednesdays — talk to Coach Bill or Lev about joining this group. Begins March 11, practices run for 13-weeks.
  • Other rides: opportunities to ride beyond regular practices include weekend local rides, meeting up at events, full day trips together and multi-day trips to ride outside of Bend or compete at an event.
  • BONUS: each rider can access a Cog Wild Shuttle once a week while enrolled.
  • $995 for Spring Session 13 weeks

XC Team Summer Session

  • Summer Enduro Team
  • A 6-week progression: choose 1 or 2 days per week
  • Miss a practice? “Average out” your rides over the summer by mixing Wed & Thur weekly rides when you’re available.
  • A. Wednesday mornings June 25 – July 30: “Skills and Workout” for Enduro & XC Team, 8:45 AM – 12:15 PM
  • B. Thursday afternoons June 26 – July 31: “Skills and Trail Ride” for Enduro & XC Team 3:30 PM – 7:00 PM
  • Includes: Friday afternoon meetups at Bachelor Bike Park for Gravity Series Races, carpool from Cog at 2:15 PM or meet there at 3:00 for practice together. Event details here.
  • $400: choose Wed or Thurs practice for 6 weeks
  • $600: both Wed and Thurs practices for 6 weeks

Fall Options

  • We switch from XC to either Enduro or Cyclocross for the fall.
  • Enduro Team
  • Cyclocross Team
  • Some riders will also do NICA high school teams

How to Enroll

  • If you’re new to the team and want to learn about our program please reach out before you enroll.
  • Payment = you will make a non-refundable 25% deposit at the time of booking, then the remainder will auto-collect 2-days prior to the first activity. Talk to us if you want to to pay with a card on file / cash / check / payment plan.
  • Waiver = good for 1 year, sign online after you checkout.
  • Rider Info Questions = after you make the payment and checkout there is another step to answer the required questions about Rider Name, etc. for each enrollment so we can populate our rosters correctly.

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

Enduro & XC Team SportsYou Calendar Feed