FAQs

Mountain Biking is a great sport but can feel overwhelming. We hope this helps.

If you still have questions, please reach out!

Email Us

Equipment

  • We recommend a bike with 27.5" or 29" wheels, disc brakes, knobby tires, front suspension, and at least 10 gears. It does not have to be full suspension.

    E-bikes are not allowed.

  • No. While full suspension is nice, most kids (and coaches!) will be on hard tails. All the courses are designed for cross-country racing not downhilling.

  • Showing up prepared (and on time!) for practice is one of the keys to success. Start with making sure your bike is in working order.

    Other items to bring are:

    • a helmet (not full face)

    • a hydration pack or TWO full size water bottles

    • a flat repair kit (tire levers, tube and inflation device), even if you have tubeless tires, carry a spare tube

    • a snack

    • a jacket when weather starts to get cooler

  • Yes, a team shirt or jersey is required for all riders. Other team kit items, such as shorts, are also available but not required.

Time Commitment

  • During the riding season, coach-led practices happen on Tuesdays and Thursdays after school, from about 4:30-6:30pm. For about half the practices we meet at Centaurus, and for the other half we meet at various trailheads within a short drive of the school.

    In addition, there are a number of rider-organized practices that happen before school, on Mondays and Wednesdays.

    Most riders also participate in races organized by the Colorado Cycling League, which take place on alternate weekends during the season.

    Finally, we organize a number of other events, including bike maintenance workshops, trail building, and an end of season celebration!

  • Centaurus MTB is primarily a Fall-only activity. We typically organize a few informal rides over the summer, and then practices begin in earnest a couple of weeks before school starts in August. We continue riding until the end of the race season at the end of October.

Racing

  • No, but we recommend you give it a shot! Our team is not focused on results and racing is a great way to challenge yourself mentally and physically. Plus, hanging out at the races with teammates is a highlight of the season.

  • The Centaurus MTB team is part of the Colorado Cycling League, which organizes race meets involving dozens of high school MTB teams in Colorado and neighboring states.

    We race in the YAMPA division, which also includes nearby high schools such Monarch and Boulder High.

  • Currently there are four race meets, which take place approximately every other weekend between the start of the school year in August, and the end of the racing season, in October. In addition, qualifying riders are invited to participate in the State Championships, held in October.

  • Race categories are divided up by girls and boys and your class.

    • Freshmen

    • Sophomore

    • JV (is a combination of Juniors and Seniors and occasionally some Sophomores)

    • Varsity (some Juniors, mostly Seniors)

    If someone comes in with a lot of race experience they may race up a category.

Parent Volunteers

  • Yes! We love our parent volunteers! We need help with coaching, event organizing and more. Contact us for more information.

  • Thank you for your interest! Without coaches we can't make the team happen. A new parent may become a Level 1 ride along coach. You'll have to complete a background check (refunded by the team) and do a small amount of training. Please get in touch with us to begin the process!

  • Yes! We need parents to help organize the team tent PLUS the Colorado League is always in need of volunteers to make race day run smoothly. Look for emails from the team and the league for these opportunites.

Costs

  • These are the fees as of 2026

    • Colorado High School Cycling League fee: $190

    • Centaurus Team Fee: $100

    • Team Jersey: $50-80

    • Race Fees: $85/race

    ​If you have a financial hardship, please reach out.

    • Colorado High School Cycling League fee covers rider insurance and league operational costs. 

    • Team Fee helps to cover team registration, coach training, race day food and team activities.

    • Race Fees cover venue, supply, employee and many other costs associated with putting on a race.

Registration

  • If you are interested in joining the team, please reach out to us via our web form.

    Once you have joined the team, we will send you further instructions on how to register with the Colorado Cycling League (required).

  • Unfortunately we cannot accept students from other schools.