DID YOU KNOW THAT MOUNTAIN BIKING IS THE FASTEST GROWING HIGH SCHOOL SPORT? |
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Both experienced and beginner riders are welcome. In fact, we have many riders who barely rode a bike at all before joining the team! Don’t be shy. Your skill level will increase tremendously after a few weeks of practice.
ALL riders who are joining the High School Season must complete Skills Camp 101 before they can participate in the rest of the season. Please see "Join the Crankers" tab for more information about our Spring and Summer Skills Camps options. The team is affiliated with the Colorado High School League, and the area high schools. A great deal of information is over on the high school league website: www.Coloradomtb.org |
CRANKERS FALL SEASON
The Colorado High School mountain bike league is a fall sport. The season starts in August and ends at the end of October with a team celebration in November.
There are 4 conference races, as well as a state championship race. Races are held out of town and families are responsible for their own travel and accommodations. While racing is not mandatory, it is encouraged. The Crankers will practice and race together. The heart of the High School team is skill development embedded in a culture of fun and team camaraderie. Talk to anyone on the team, and they will tell you: the season is so much more than a handful of races!
All riders will need to register with the Colorado League and are responsible for all race fees.
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2025 Dates: August thru October
Practice Days: 3 days per week
Practice Time: Evenings 6:00 pm (times may change to accommodate sunlight change)
Team Cost: $400
League Registration Cost: $170
Race Cost: $75 (per race) OR $260 for a 4 Race Package
PRACTICES
There are three mandatory practices per week. Practices are held at the MAC, Ridgeline, Rhyolite Park and local trails in Castle Rock. We break up into groups based on skill level and always have a great time. Student athletes are accompanied by volunteer ride leaders and coaches.
The times for practice generally fall from 5 to 8pm, though it moves up a bit later in fall because of failing sunlight.
FALL RACES
Douglas County High School, Castle View High School, and Renaissance Secondary make up the Crankers team. However, on race day each student races for their own school. Coaches require that all athletes stay for the entire day on race day to cheer and support their teammates.
Each high school rider wears their own jersey and colors. Points are scored for each high school.
Races are not mandatory, though certainly encouraged. The fee for entry is $75 per race, or $260 for the 4 Race Package. The locations range all over Colorado, and become a weekend event. They happen every other week in the fall, totaling four races, plus an additional 5th race in Glenwood Springs, CO for the State Championship (for qualifiers).
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2025 RACE SCHEDULE
Race #1: Sunday, August 24, 2025
Frisco Adventure Park, 621 Recreation Way, Frisco, CO
Race #2: Saturday, September 6, 2025
Eagle Pool and Ice Rink, 1700 Bull Pasture Rd, Eagle, CO
Race #3: Sunday, September 21, 2025
Colorado Mountain College (Leadville), 901 US-24 Leadville, CO
Race #4: Saturday, October 4, 2025
Nathrop , 22605 US Hwy 285, Buena Vista, CO
State Championships: Saturday, October 18, 2025
Colorado Mountain College, 3000 County Road 114, Glenwood Springs, CO
(qualification required to race, but all are encouraged to come!)
EQUIPMENT
Each rider is required to wear a helmet, carry a flat repair kit, and needs a mountain bike in good working order. Team jerseys for races are required (purchased typically during your first season with the team). Gloves and sunglasses are also highly recommended.
FEES
There are a few separate fees to pay to get you through the season. For first timers, it can seem a little confusing.
$400 — First, there is the team registration, which is paid to the Crankers team.
$170 — Second, there is the “league registration” fee that is paid to the Colorado High School Cycling League. This fee covers all riders with insurance at practices and races and helps to fund the fantastic race weekends.
$75 — Third, there is the per-race fee, which technically is optional since racing is optional. But when you enter each of the four races during the season, you pay either $75 per race or $260 total if you register for all 4 races at the beginning of the season. If you qualify for State, you will pay an additional $75 for registration.
All league fees are paid online through the league's website www.coloradomtb.org. It’s pretty easy to navigate once you do it the first time.
$60-$140 — Fourth, your race kit. If you plan on racing for your high school, you are required to wear your high school’s jersey ($60). We recommend bike shorts which match the jersey as well.
COACHES & VOLUNTEERS
Michael Linde leads our team as Head Coach. Michael brings years of experience teaching both kids and adults. His experience includes being a ski instructor, swimming instructor, taekwondo instructor, and for 2+ years a mountain bike coach. Michael has followed rigorous training plans to improve fitness, skills, and capabilities on and off the bike. He believes in a positive mindset to encourage and motivate students to grow in their mountain biking skills.
Keven Winder has been with the team for 9 years and has served as one of our Head Coaches for the last 5 years.
We have several legacy riders that come back to support the team as Ride Leaders. In addition, many parents will come out to practices and lend a hand in any way that the Coaches may need.
Finally, each of the parents give back to the team throughout the season, through managing our hectic race days, hosting team dinners, bringing food for the team tent, etc. etc. etc. We couldn’t do it without the parents!