Athlete Expectations
Riders, Coaches, and Ride Leaders spend most of their time on team rides. These rides help our riders connect with their peers, improve their biking skills, increase their fitness levels, and experience the beautiful Placer County landscape in a way that's otherwise impossible. Without team rides, we'd just be a group of individuals who occasionally see each other on the race course.
Training Overview
We typically divide the team into groups of three or four, each with an adult Ride Leader and Sweep, following the Strava route posted for the day. For this fall and next winter, please refer to the Team Snap Calendar for the most up-to-date team ride schedules. However, parents and riders should understand the commitment required for an entire season. The riding season usually begins in mid-October with Saturday rides starting at 9 am. We hold a winter camp between Christmas and New Year's, focusing on key skills and drills that will be used throughout the season. Starting in January, Core Workouts will be on Mondays 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 will 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.
Proper Gear
Cycling is a unique sport where training involves long distances and many hours. Your body makes contact with the bike at only a few points: the handlebars, the seat, and the pedals. The hands and seat need padding and protection from pressure and chafing. Shorts and gloves are designed with padding for comfort during long rides. Feet press on a small surface for extended periods. Cycling shoes must offer the protection of an inflexible sole, which prevents cramping and increases power while riding.
Riders sweat during long rides, and the clothing must wick that sweat away from the body to keep the rider cool when it’s hot and prevent chills when they stop. Cycling jerseys are made from fabric designed to keep cyclists cool when it's warm and warm when it's cool. Cycling-specific clothing is designed to meet the challenges faced by cyclists, and while it can be expensive, it's worth it for comfort, as racers spend a lot of time in their clothes on the bike.
Consistent or deliberate disregard for the rules and guidelines outlined above may result in riders being ineligible for racing or removed from the team, or, in severe circumstances, the team's disqualification from league competitions. Membership as a Coach, Ride Leader, or Rider within the Woodcreek MTB team is a privilege contingent upon adherence to team and league regulations during all team-related activities.