Canadian Enduro Development Team - Spring Training Camp

From The Coach:
This winter we introduced the MEC Canadian National Enduro Development Team (Click Here for Article), coached by Blueprint Athlete Development and supported by OneUp Components. Athletes have been working hard in the off-season independently, and a few weeks ago we had our first training camp in Kamloops.

The goals for our first team camp were simple:
1 - Give the riders an opportunity to test and develop their skills, fitness, and mindset.
2 - Build an atmosphere that challenges yet supports each rider in familiar settings (i.e. on the bike and in the gym) as well as new ones (i.e. gymnastics, yoga, and pool sessions).
3 - Catch up with old friends, make some new ones, learn from each other, and have some fun.

Now that the dust has literally and figuratively settled, I'm happy to say that I think we nailed each goal. Every rider came away with new riding tools, a better understanding of their personal strengths and areas for improvement, renewed motivation, and a smile.

While there were some concerns regarding the lack of female presence on the team, I assure you that we would love to see more women riding bikes. Regardless of gender, we want to support every athlete. Selection criteria for 2018 is already live, and please feel free to introduce yourself at the races if you are hoping to join the team or have a question.

See you on the trails,

-Joel Harwood
Head Coach


Check it out
This is a team made up of athletes aging from 14-20 years old, this team is very unique because it's one of a kind. Since Enduro is not a supported genre by the cycling associations, we've handcrafted this team to be very unique. Any support goes straight back to the athletes to help make them better riders by giving them more opportunities to get to the next step. Your funding doesn't go into a large pot for misc. supplies, it's for the riders!

We'll keep this article short, but here's a quick list of things to do:
• Support the team - Joel the head coach and Ted are currently funding the program 'gratis'.
• Look for them at the races!
• Be stoked!


Thank You
This team was supported on this trip by not only Joel Harwood and Ted Morton, but the awesome businesses of Kamloops.

Thanks to Freeze Athletics (Cheerleading), The Plaza Hotel Kamloops, the Yoga Loft Kamloops, the Kamloops YMCA, Sam at Cedar Line Creative and Tourism Kamloops.
Also, massive thanks to the crew that keeps the Kamloops Bike Ranch and the Lac du Bois Trails running smooth! Thanks KPCC and KBRA!
We're lucky here in Kamloops that we can ride really early with clear skies, so if you're looking to setup a training camp, let me know!


From the riders...
After the camp, we asked Jacob (Jabrome) Murray, who is vying for a spot on the team, what he thought...

Who are you? What disciplines do you ride? Where are you from?

My name is Jacob Murray, I’m from Squamish B.C. I race enduro and DH, but also enjoy racing BMX and riding dirt jumps.



What are you going to remember most, or what's a funny story from the camp?

I think one of the most memorable moments for all of us at the camp was when our fellow rider Hamish Graham got super loose on a kamloops freeride line. His 100 millimeter travel XC bike was not ideal for this kind of riding, but he still sent it!!



What are you going to take away from the camp as an athlete?

As a rider, I came out of the camp knowing a lot more rad people than I did going in, it's rare that so many of us young rippers get to ride together, since we're spread out so far. Also this camp got me more prepared and excited for the season.


Why did you attend this camp? All for fun? Want to get better? Want to be a racer?

I attended this camp because I thought it would be a great way to ride with new people, have fun and improve my skills and fitness.


Who else was there? Did you know everybody? Who did you enjoy meeting most and why?

So many awesome people were at the camp. Most from B.C but also a few from Alberta. When I showed up, there were a few people that I had only heard of. As the camp went on, I started to realize that the Albertn boys were actually super rad. I really enjoyed meeting guys like Evan Wall and Andreas Massitti because there super nice and they both shred really hard!!


What did we do while we were there? Was it all slave driving, or was there some fun too?
From riding fast down single track to eating way too much at an all you can eat sushi restaurant, we had a ton of fun hitting jumps and slapping corners. We did have our fair share intervals and long rides, but hey! You don’t get fitter by sitting on the couch eating pizza all day do you?


Who would you like to thank?

I would obviously like to thank my parents for sending me to this amazing camp. Thanks to kore components and also the Plaza Hotel for letting us bring our dirty bikes into the hotel. Also a big thanks to Ted Morton for being our tour guide for the week, we couldn’t have done it without you. Last but not least, thanks to Joel Harwood for being an amazing coach.



A massive thank-you to this year's series sponsors and supporters
• Blueprint Athlete Development / #blueprintathletedevelopment
•One Up Components
•MEC
•Intense Cycles
• Smith Optics / @SmithOptics
• Pinkbike
• And anyone who Volunteered with us and anyone who helped with a shuttle, a beer or a spare tube!


We Need Help!
We're always looking for parents, girlfriends/boyfriends or injured riders to help out!
What you'll get:
• Jersey
• Lunch
• Post-race meal and drink
• Discount entry for any other race, for you or for a friend/kid/dog
Contact admin@bcenduro.com, with your preferred race, phone number and email.

Need something? More information?
• Website
• Facebook
• Instagram
• Athlete Inquires | athletes@bcenduro.com
• Volunteer Information | admin@bcenduro.com

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MENTIONS: @bcenduroseries

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