Practice Details
Season: Fall (July-Oct)
Practices run on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 4:45-6:45. Riders are expected to show up by 4:30, and the team is "wheels down" by 4:45.
All official team and league communications are through the Stack Team App
Practice Expectations
Coming Prepared
Practices are led by an experienced team of coaches that dedicate a lot of their time to learning and development of youth cycling student-athletes. It is important that team members come to practice prepared with the appropriate equipment and tools for trailside repairs.
As a teammate, coming prepared not only allows you to be self-sufficient, but also help your fellow riders if they should run into a mechanical, run out of fuel, etc. during a ride. Supporting your teammates is a core principle of the Monarch MTB Team.
Bike
In good working condition, tires inflated, chain lubed, etc.
Helmet
When you're ON the bike, helmet is BUCKLED
Food & Fluid
Food and fluid for up to 2 hours of activity. 2 bottles + snacks
Repair Kit
Pump, spare tube, tire levers, multi-tool, etc.
Great Attitude!
Ready to have fun, ride safely, and learn!
Practice Locations
Usual practice locations are listed below. Click on the "pin" for directions to each location.
Erie Singletrack
2100 WC Rd 5, Erie, CO 80516
Doudy Draw
4111 Eldorado Springs Dr, Boulder, CO 80303
Marshall Mesa
5258 Eldorado Springs Dr, Boulder, CO 80303
Oerman-Roche
414 McCaslin Blvd, Superior, CO 80027
Louisville Arboretum
Eldorado Ln, Louisville, CO 80027
Louisville Community Park
955 Bella Vista Dr, Louisville, CO 80027
Monarch High School
329 Campus Dr, Louisville, CO 80027
Erie Trails are a great mixture of purpose-built flow trails and XC-style terrain that give riders the opportunity to accomplish skill and technique training along with targeted intervals. Practices here are focused on skills such as pumping, jumping, and cornering. Intervals are shorter race-pace and above efforts.
Doudy Draw is the starting point for longer hill repeats and loops on Springbrook, or a jumping off point for technical practice on the Doudy "Wall." Riders will also have certain practices start here when the focus is endurance as they can access longer loops in Flatirons Vista and surrounding trails.
Marshall Mesa is a central location where practices will either rely on short loops in Marshall Valley or head out on a longer loop to build endurance and aerobic fitness on the Dirty Bismarck Loop (~12 miles). The "Alchemist Rocks" provide a great technical challenge at any point in the ride.
This trailhead, halfway up McCaslin Blvd in Superior is the meeting point for ~3-5 min hill repeats or for a change in scenery for endurance and base-building rides.
The arboretum is our go-to meeting spot for race practice where courses are set up utilizing the large trail network and variety of terrain features (steeps, loose trail, switchbacks, etc.) where riders will practice race-specific intensity along with feed zone techniques.
The team meets at Community Park for skills sessions, bike fit checks, and as a starting point for rides that go east on the Coal Creek and/or Rock Creek Trails.
Monarch High School is the home base for the team. Certain rides leave from school or take place right on campus, depending on the goals of the team for any given practice.