Common questions.

Registration opens May 1 for the upcoming fall season. You must complete Colorado League membership before your first ride. See the Join page for the full three-step process.

Team signup closes June 15 for the upcoming fall season. Colorado League registration and the $200 RevTrak team fee can come a bit later, but both must be done before your first practice in August at the latest. League membership is required for insurance, so no league registration, no riding.

You can space them out, but knocking all three out in one sitting is the easiest path. You'll have your info handy (emergency contacts, insurance details, etc.) and you won't have to remember to come back. Team signup is the only one with the June 15 deadline; the other two can wait until before your first August practice. We strongly recommend just doing all three together.

Yes, the team can fill up. We grow with the number of coaches we have, and the league requires a minimum coach-to-rider ratio at every practice. That makes our cap a moving target year to year depending on coach recruitment, but we do close registration once we hit it. The best time to register is as early as you can after the form opens on May 1. Earlier is better.

You'll get a confirmation email from Tally right after submitting the team signup form. If you're not sure whether yours went through, or you didn't get a confirmation, email coach@boulderhighmtb.org and we'll check your status and walk you through anything missing.

The form auto-saves your progress in your browser, so you can usually pick up where you left off if you come back on the same device. It's not bulletproof though: switching browsers, switching devices, or clearing cookies can wipe your draft. If your progress is gone, just start over.

Probably yes, reach out and ask. Late additions just need to move quickly through both registrations, the league waiver, and any required forms. Email hello@boulderhighmtb.org and we'll walk your family through it.

Fall. We practice Tuesdays and Thursdays from 4:15–6:45pm, August through October. Listed under CLUBS on the BHS website.

An endurance discipline that emphasizes speed and stamina across off-road terrain, technical climbs, descents, and singletrack. Think trail riding with a clock.

Yes. Even if XC isn't your primary discipline, the fitness, line selection, and bike handling you'll build here translates directly. Practices typically cover 18–30 miles with significant climbing.

Four regular-season races qualify athletes for State Championships based on points and ranking. Racing is optional but highly encouraged. Team motto: Finish it.

The governing body for middle and high school MTB teams across five states. Originally affiliated with NICA, independent since 2021.

No, but it's highly encouraged, and PE credit requires a minimum of two races.

Friday or Saturday before race day, riders get a chance to ride the actual course. Not required, but strongly recommended, racing a course blind is no fun. The league publishes pre-ride windows for each category on the race page.

Yes. The Boulder High front office has our team roster, and pre-ride days count as excused. But, like other sports, parents still have to call the attendance office to actually excuse the absence. The school doesn't do it automatically.

Mix of options. Most families book hotels or Airbnbs in the host town. A lot of races also have camping at or near the venue, and several team families camp together, group meals, kids riding the pump track at sunset. The parent committee coordinates lodging through the email thread before each race weekend, so watch for those.

Riders are responsible for their own travel. We're a club sport, not a school-funded team, so we don't have buses or league-organized transport. The parent committee coordinates carpools by email a week or two before each race. If you're stuck for a ride, just ask, there's always room in someone's car.

By technical ability, fitness, racing aspirations, and personal goals, not friend requests. Each group follows a tailored training plan, and athletes can shift between groups across the season.

Groups are capped at 10 students with a minimum of two Colorado League–licensed coaches per group.

Every coach is licensed by the Colorado High School Cycling League and trained in ride management, first aid, CPR, and youth mental health awareness.

Totally okay. We have all skill levels on the team, from kids who've barely ridden dirt to nationally ranked racers. The Colorado League is the same, beginner riders race alongside elite ones in different categories. We'll place your rider in a ride group that matches their experience and fitness, and they'll move groups during the season as they progress.

Sometimes, yes, but always at the coaches' discretion. Group placements are based on skill, fitness, and racing aspirations, not friend requests. If your rider feels they're in the wrong group, too easy, too hard, let the head coach know and we'll talk through it. Coaches also flag riders who should move up or down based on what they're seeing on the trail.

Yes, many of our coaches are also team parents. Most kids end up in a different ride group from their parent-coach to give both of them some space, but it's flexible.

Team fee: $200/season. Team kit: ~$90. Colorado League membership: $170/season. Race fees: $75 per race. You'll also need a bike, helmet, water bottle, and backpack. Scholarships available, just ask.

Yes. We offer loaner bikes, fee scholarships, league scholarships, and travel support. Reach out to hello@boulderhighmtb.org, no questions asked.

Once a year, for a limited window in early summer (June/July). Watch your email for the team store announcement, once the store closes, we can't squeeze in late orders without missing the print deadline for the first race.

Don't buy a high-end bike before talking to a coach, we can help you avoid the $5,000-bike-for-a-kid-still-figuring-out-cornering trap. Local Boulder shops often offer team discounts and can help fit a bike to skill, growth, and budget. And before you buy new, check the team Bike Swap, parents and alumni list outgrown bikes and gear there regularly.

A mountain bike in good working condition, a helmet, gloves, eyewear, and shoes you can ride in. As of the 2025 season, bike lights are required at practice, at minimum, a rear flashing daytime running light. Loaner gear is available if you need it.

We meet at Boulder High and ride out to every trail and path accessible from school, Marshall Mesa, Betasso, North Sky, Walker Ranch, Valmont Bike Park, and everything in between. When we're heading further afield, we'll occasionally start practice offsite, details go out ahead of time.

Yes. Bike drop-off is open Tuesdays and Thursdays from 8:00–8:20am at our practice location. Access the storage containers from the south (grass) side, a coach will be there to help. You can also stash backpacks, your Starbucks Strawberry Açaí Refresher, and any other personal gear in there during practice.

We rarely cancel, only for unsafe conditions (lightning, trail closures, dangerous heat or air quality). When we do, you'll get an email and the team calendar will update. The team text/messaging system is also used for last-minute changes. When in doubt, check email before driving over.

No problem, just decline the calendar invite so coaches know who to expect, and send your coach a note. Consistency helps with skill development and team building, but life happens (other sports, school, family stuff). Just communicate.

Coaches fill out an incident form and let you know. For concussions or anything significant, the Colorado League requires a doctor's clearance before returning to ride or race, there's a Return to Play protocol the league mandates. We'll walk you through it.