Jim Anderson
USA Cycling Junior Development Camp
Forest Grove hosted the first USA Cycling Junior Development camp in Oregon
June 14-19, 2009. The camp was well attended with riders coming from all
over the NW. 15 riders attended (14 Males and 1 Female). We had riders from
Montana, Boise, Portland-area, Corvallis, Grants Pass, California, etc.
The host city of Forest Grove and Pacific University was fantastic. It
allowed us to get into the amazing country roads very easily. University
facilities were Hilton quality! Riders stayed in Gilbert Hall, the newest of
all dorms on campus.
A typical day for the campers were a morning ride that was either testing or
group ride, or skills. Then quick lunch, then back to more riding and skills
or drills. Short break for dinner and back to presentations. Each night we
had presentations on everything from basic bike maintenance, nutrition,
training basics and power, junior racing in Europe (given by 2 pro riders,
and 3 USA national team members). There was not a dull moment.
We had a amazing staff with 100+ years of combined coaching experience. This
was a very impressive group of coaches that came together for this event. It
was attended by Michael Heitz (National Development Camp Veteran, and Skills
Expert), Russell Cree (Upper Echelon Fitness coach - Cycling Coach, Exercise
Physiologist, Bike Fitter, Physical Therapist), Butch Martin (2-time
Olympian, CMG/Hammer Nutrition junior team coach/manager), Jeannette and
Jeff Rose (long time oregon coaches), Kenji Sugahara (OBRA Exec Director),
Doug Reid (Top Racer and official camp photographer), Roman and Carson
Miller (Landrover-Orbea Pro team members), Phil Sanders (Junior Coach
Veteran, and Coach for Beaverton Bicycle Club), Mike Olson (mechanic, and
local bike shop owner), Austin Auguello, Jacob Rathe, and Max Durtschi
(national team members).
We are looking forward to similar dates in 2010 depending on facility
availability, national/int. racing schedules, and other camp/coach
schedules. Price for next year camp will likely be similar.
This was a unique experience for all riders and the NW racing scene.
Check out www.nwcyclingcamp.com for more info later this year.
Newspaper article about camp, Forest Grove News Times:
http://www.forestgrovenewstimes.com/news/story.php?story_id=1245828728312786
00
Or
http://tinyurl.com/lkv93q
Photos:
Thanks to Doug Reid, and Kenji Sugahara for their fantastic photos
http://www.flickr.com/photos/obra3/sets/72157620544934762/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/racemondaynight/sets/72157620218581676/
Velonews Article about another USAC rider development camp in Arizona:
http://velonews.com/article/93993/not-all-us-rider-development-is-taught-in-
belgium
Or
http://tinyurl.com/mwjzxj
More info on USAC Junior Development camps:
http://usacycling.org/news/user/story.php?id=809