Established in 2006, the Durango Junior Development (DEVO) Mountain Bike Team is a program for ages 5 to 24 years of age. The Team is split into eight categories: DEVO Jr., Explorers Club, DEVO Flyers gravity team, Devo Cyclo Crossers, DEVO Boys U14, DEVO Girls U14, DEVO Boys U19 , DEVO Girls U19 and the Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory/DEVO Sweet Elite U-25 Team. The mission of this program is to develop each individual, in a traditional team setting, into life-long cyclists. The program is arranged in a building block style to increase interest in mountain biking and promote each athlete in a positive environment.
JrDEVO
DEVO JR. is split into many groups (kindergarten, First Grade Group, 20″ wheel size and 24-26″ wheel size, All Girls Ride, and advanced) for a better ride experiance and emphasizes skill building in a fun, non-competitive environment. Each group meets after school for 8 weeks in the Fall and Spring. This is a casual way for youth to learn about the sport and build skills. These youth can choose to race in the Iron Horse Bicycle Classic’s kids criterium in the spring as well as the Durango jrDEVO Halloween Ride. In August there are 3 sessions of summer camp at Durango Mountain Resort with Devo coaches and Devo U14,19 athletes. This week-long camp gets kids pumped for the mountains.
Devo Explorers
DEVO Explorer’s is a middle school/high school aged weekly group ride for those riders looking to learn the fundamentals of mountain biking and not necessarily the competitive side. The goal of the program is to teach using the bike as tool for exploring and self-sufficiency (touring, commuting, building bikes,etc). The session end with a camping/touring trip with panniers leaving from downtown Durango.
U14
DEVO U14 is for middle school age kids interested in continuing to build skills and begin to pursue racing. Although these youth may still be interested in other sports, this group is more serious than DEVO Jr. meeting more often and traveling to races 3 times a season. Racing is not mandatory. Promoting the sport in a fun environment is still the overall goal, but some specific training is involved. Their season lasts from April through August.
U19
DEVO U19 is for high school age kids who are becoming committed to the sport of mountain biking. The goal is to prepare each rider for the skills necessary to compete in college/professionally as well create life-long cyclists. Racing is not mandatory. Though training with a USA Cycling certified coach is imperative to this program, continuing skill building in a fun environment is even more important. The athletes are also exposed to the world of cycling and are educated on both the non-competitive and competitive side of the sport. Their season lasts from March through August.
Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory/Devo Sweet Elite U-25Team
Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory/DEVO Sweet Elite Team. Sweet Elite will compete at local and regional races including the Iron Horse Bicycle Classic, in addition the Sweet Elite will compete at the National Championships. The 5 rider U25 team ranging in ages of 17-24 will ride Specialized S-Works Bicycles, with additional equipment and service support provided by Mountain Bike Specialists in Durango. Riders will be provided specific coaching and training programs, as well as race and travel support. The Team will meet 2 times a week to practice as a team with their coach. Sweet Elite will help promote the success of Durango based riders coming out of Durango DEVO, Fort Lewis College, and outstanding local talent who need additional support to continue to be successful at the upper levels of competition.
Each group will wear the DEVO Jersey in differing colors to highlight building block of the program.
