Junior Development Gravel Camp

USA Cycling Junior Development GRAVEL Camp

Dates: 2025 TBA

Mileage: 25 - 65 miles

Terrain: Rolling hills, gnarly grav

 

Racing Age Range: 13-18 

Cost: (1350+9.5% tax)= 1478

Duration: 4 days, 3 nights

Discipline: Gravel and all- road

 

Elevation Gain: 1500' - 6000'

Regional Junior Development Gravel Camp and the Athlete Development Pathway

Source Endurance is proud to announce a new partnership with Thaden School in Bentonville, Arkansas, enabling the addition of a USA Cycling Regional Junior Development Gravel Camp.  Regional Camps are a crucial step within the Athlete Development Pathway (ADP). Accessible and attainable to all athletes, aspiring junior cyclists aged 15-18 can join a regional camp to improve their skills, receive good coaching, and be identified for further race opportunities.

USA Cycling’s Athlete Development Pathway Regional Junior Development Camp system strives to provide accessible high-level coaching for athletes nationwide. 

USA Cycling emphasizes the holistic education, coaching, and experience that a multi-day camp can provide. Instead of learning by trial-and-error in one-off race scenarios, athletes can receive guidance and instruction from knowledgeable coaches working with direct assessment. With a camp experience, athletes of all abilities will walk away with an accurate understanding of their level (fitness, tactics, skills, etc.), know where to race at the next level, and have opportunities to race internationally.

 

Locals:

Get all the benefits of the Junior Development Camp and you still sleep at home!  Campers will be responsible for their own breakfast and transportation to and from the camp each day. Spots are limited.

USA Cycling’s Regional Athlete Development Junior Development Camps will offer selection opportunities for international races.

USA Cycling’s Regional Athlete Development Junior Development Camps will be guided by the following curriculum:

  1. Education: Discussions and seminars on multiple topics to improve athletic performance.
  2. Skills: Sessions designed to increase understanding of skills and foster safe methods for improvement.
  3. Training: Solid training and testing protocols to increase fitness.

Camp Mission Statement: To provide the education, resources and inspiration to the next generation of American junior cyclists.

USA Cycling’s Regional Athlete Development Junior Development Camps will offer selection opportunities for international races.

What sort of athlete is best suited for Junior Development Gravel Camp?

Consistently active athletes aged 15-18 (racing age) will benefit greatly from this camp. These athletes consistently accomplish 3-6 training sessions per week. 2-4 rides at an endurance pace for 2-3 days in a row are no problem and even some long training sessions are common. These athletes should strive to compete and feel comfortable riding in groups and should be able to handle moderately technical descents.

 

Athlete Development Pathway flow
Thaden School Logo

Thaden School 

USA Cycling (USAC) Junior Development Camps aren’t just about testing and finding talent, but about inspiring the next generation. Thaden School offers a unique and comprehensive cycling program that goes far beyond just riding bikes. It fosters a love for cycling, develops valuable skills, and encourages students to see the world through a different lens through a unique signature program called "Wheels" dedicated entirely to cycling. This program goes beyond just riding bikes and delves into three pillars:

  • Ride: Students learn all aspects of cycling, from basic skills to navigating different terrains like city streets and mountain bike courses.
  • Wrench: They get hands-on experience in the bicycle lab, learning bike maintenance, repair, and even fabrication.
  • Reimagine: The program uses cycling as a lens to explore broader themes like sustainability, social justice, and urban planning. This fosters critical thinking and encourages students to see cycling as a tool for positive change.

Dedicated Facilities and Resources:

Thaden is serious about cycling! They have:

  • A building dedicated to the Wheels program: This building includes classrooms, a bike lab, repair space, secure storage, and a digital fabrication lab for custom creations.
  • Extensive network of bike trails: Nearby trails provide diverse riding experiences.
  • On-campus pump track and skills course: These allow students to practice and hone their riding skills in a safe environment.
  • Professional-grade campus bike shop: This provides access to tools and expert guidance for bike maintenance and customization.

Focus on More Than Just Competition:

While Thaden has a competitive cycling team, the program goes beyond winning races. It emphasizes:

  • Empowerment and engagement: Cycling becomes a tool for personal growth and community involvement.
  • Interdisciplinary learning: Cycling connects to various subjects like science, math, history, and urban planning.
  • Social justice and community impact: Students explore how cycling can address social issues and create positive change.

 

Bentonville grav Junior Development gravel
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Thaden Gravel devo

Source Endurance

Source Endurance comes equipped with a staff of high-level professional coaches that not only aim to impart coaching wisdom but also to connect athletes with teams and high-performance directors through our extensive professional network. Having great coaches who have worked with numerous USA and foreign nationalcamp teaching champions interacting with the athletes will be an integral part in the camp experience. At the end of the camp, the coaches will come together and present each athlete with an end-of-camp “report card.” This will allow the athlete to have objective feedback that they can take with them and have an assessment of what skills need work to make it to the next level.

Source Endurance strives to execute a professional level camp in collaboration with Thaden School that will inspire the next generation of cyclists and give them the tools they need to succeed.

What to Expect at Junior Development Camp

On Bike

  • Skills and bike handling sessions
  • Group riding etiquette
  • Tactics workshops, recognizing opportunity
  • Mock races
  • Fitness Test
  • Support vehicle
  • Nutrition and hydration products

Off Bike

  • Training, strategy and tactics presentations
  • Daily power file analysis for every athlete
  • Q & A with coaches and ride leaders
  • Nutrition presentations for on and off bike
  • Strength training presentations

Amenities

Details

Recommended Equipment

NOT INCLUDED

  • Airfare
  • Transportation to/ from airport
  • Bike shipping/ rental/ packing

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SAMPLE ITINERARY

Sample Only. Specific Itinerary will be delivered to registrants prior to commencement

torch CVEATC

Day 1

  • Check-in
  • Bike check
  • Meet and Greet
  • Lunch
  • Endurance Ride
  • Dinner
  • The Athlete's Edge Education Series
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Day 2

  • Breakfast
  • Training Ride incorporating strategy and tactics
  • Lunch
  • Skills Session and Games
  • Dinner
  • The Athlete's Edge Education Series
cveatc lecture

Day 3

  • Breakfast
  • Long Endurance Ride + Fitness Check
  • Lunch
  • Skills Session and Games
  • Dinner
  • The Athlete's Edge Education Series
Bentonville grav Junior Development gravel

Day 4

  • Breakfast
  • Long Endurance Ride- Race Simulations
  • Lunch
  • Check out

THE NITTY GRITTY

Mechanic