What does it take to be on the Woodcreek MTB Team?
Riders, Coaches, and Ride Leaders spend more time on team rides than any other activity. Team rides help the Riders get to know their peers, learn and improve biking skills, increase levels of fitness, and get to know the beautiful landscape of Placer County in a way that is perhaps not possible by any other means. Without team rides, the team would just be a collection of individuals who occasionally meet each other on the race course.
Training Season Overview
We usually break the team into three or four groups, with an adult Ride Leader and Sweep and follow the Strava route posted for that date. For this fall and next winter, refer to the Team Snap Calendar as the definitive source for team rides and dates, but parents and Riders should have some understanding of what it takes to commit to an entire season. Riding season usually starts in mid October with Saturday rides starting at 9am. We have a winter camp between Christmas and New Years and will focus on key skills and drills that will be used as building blocks throughout the season. Beginning in January, Core Workouts will be on Monday's and in the Spin Room 2-3 times a week. By early March, with the change to Daylight Savings time, the Spin Classes move outdoors, and the Coaches tailor the ride lengths and intensity to best prepare Riders for their race schedule. Races usually begin in early March and the season extends through the final race in mid-May.
Wear the proper Cycling Gear
Cycling is a unique sport in that training takes place over long distances and many hours. Your body is in contact with only a few points on the bike; the handlebars, the seat and the pedals. The hands and seat need padding and protection from pressure and chafing. The shorts and gloves are made with padding designed for comfort over the long rides. Feet are pressing on a very small surface for hours at a time. Cycling shoes need to offer the protection of an inflexible sole, which prevents cramping and increases power while riding.
Riders sweat during long rides, the sweat needs to be wicked away from the body to keep the rider cool when it’s hot, and not chill them when they take a break. Cycling jerseys are made from fabric designed to keep cyclists cool when its warm, and warm when its cool. Cycling specific clothing is designed especially for the challenges facing cyclists, and while it is expensive, it is worth it to be comfortable. Racers spend a lot of time in their clothes on the bike.
Cycling gear other than clothes
Helmet! Make sure that it fits properly. Two fingers maximum should fit in the slack under the chin when it is buckled up.
Gloves – gel padding can help prevent numbness. Full fingered gloved recommended for mountain biking to protect in case of crashes.
Glasses – sport-specific. Do not wear glasses made with actual glass, this can be a hazard in a crash.
Trailside repair toolkits - Bring these things on your ride; Riders need to be self-sufficient, coaches assist when necessary but riders need to carry extra tubes to be able to fix a flat.
2. Food & Water
For detailed information on food and water, please read through the Nutrition content
We are a NUT-FREE TEAM, so no foods with any nut ingredients or peanut-flavor energy bars. Please check ingredients and for cross-contamination warnings of the foods you are bringing.
Food, both real food (bars, sandwich, banana) and quick energy food (blocks or glucose tablets).
Water bottle or hydration pack (such as Camelbak) with plenty of water/electrolyte solution.
3. A good attitude!
Carry the Essentials!
Regular or intentional disregarding of the rules and guidelines laid out above can result in Coaches or Ride Leaders being asked to step away from their roles, Riders being excluded from racing or dropped from the team, or in extreme cases the exclusion of the team from league races. Being a Coach, Ride Leader, or Rider for the Woodcreek MTB team is a privilege that depends on everyone operating within team and league rules during every team activity.