Required Items
For Every Ride:
Mountain Bike (proper working order)
Bike Helmet (proper fit and good condition)
Multi-Tool (optionally w/ chain breaker)
Gloves (preferably full-finger)
Spare inner tubes- Even if you are running tubeless
Close-toe shoes (no sandals)
Water bottles or hydration pack
Hand Pump or CO2 with inflator head
At Home:
Chain lube Keeping your drive train clean will keep you from having to replace parts longer
Brushes Regularly washes keep your bike performing at its best!
Eye Protection Glasses! (They don't need to be expensive)
Cycling Computer Track your performance and watch your best times get better and better
Pump with pressure gauge Tires lose their pressure daily. Low tire pressure is the #1 reason for flats. Pressure 19-25 psi
Medications (If needed)
Nutrition Riding fueled means riding your best. The right food speeds your recovery
Shoes A good pair of mountain bike specific shoes help a lot
Flats: recommended for all Junior Devo (7th and 8th grade) racers
Flats: recommended for all new racers
Clipless (locks to shoe): only for those who have mastered bike handling skills, are comfortable on all trail types, and want to get that little extra for racing. Absolutely not required to be successful in mountain biking. It is a personal choice.
Highly Recommended
The Bike
Yes, they are expensive. Thankfully, a good bike can last years and even be handed down to a sibling or sold when you are done racing. Choosing the right bike is very important. Not all mountain bikes are suitable for cross country style racing, and many of the most popular models, while fun to ride, are not ideal for racing.
Most all of the coaches are long-time mountain bike racers and/or fanatics. If you don't already have a bike, or if you are uncertain as to whether the bike you plan to ride is suitable, spend time talking with multiple people, collecting opinions and recommendations before you find yourself making an overly spontaneous decision at the local bike shop. A common mistake for new riders is buying a heavier bike with more suspension (travel) than needed. A lightweight bike with about 100 mm of travel is best for high school racing.
Speaking of local bike shops, we are fortunate to have amazing local bike shops in Cache Valley, they are packed with highly experienced and knowledgeable employees and mechanics. We recommend visiting several of them before making a decision.
* Students may be eligible for discounts check out the benefits tab for links and details or don't hesitate to reach out to a coach.