Deschutes Composite Mountain Bike Team

🚵🍇 Race Day is Almost Here! 🍇🚵

The 2026 Bend Composite MTB season kicks off with the Old Oak Prologue at Left Coast Estate Winery! This fast-paced time trial will test riders against the clock on a unique course winding through one of Oregon’s beautiful vineyard properties.

Athletes, make sure your bike is race-ready, your gear is packed, and your nutrition plan is dialed. Parents and supporters, please RSVP so we can coordinate pit support and race-day logistics.

Let’s start the season strong and cheer on our Bend Composite riders as they take on Race #1! 💪🔥

🚵‍♀️ GRiT is rolling! 💚🩵

What a fantastic way to kick off our first GRiT (Girls Riding Together) ride of the season! We spent the evening building skills, making new friends, and sharing plenty of smiles out on the trails.

GRiT is all about creating a fun, welcoming, and supportive environment where girls can gain confidence, challenge themselves, and discover just how awesome mountain biking can be. Whether it’s your first ride or your hundredth, there’s a place for everyone.

A huge thank you to our incredible coaches and volunteers for making nights like this possible. We can’t wait to watch these riders grow throughout the season!

If you’ve been thinking about joining Bend Composite, now’s the perfect time to come ride with us!

💚 Ride bikes.
💙 Build confidence.
🤝 Make lifelong friends.

📣 Bend Composite Tuesday Practice Reminder! 🚵💚

Our next team practice is Tuesday from 5:00–7:00 PM at Wanoga Snow Play Area!

We’ll split into groups based on skill level and goals, giving every rider a chance to build fitness, sharpen skills, and have fun on some of Bend’s best trails. Whether you’re brand new to mountain biking or preparing for race season, we’ve got a ride group for you!

☀️ Forecast: 79°F and sunny—perfect riding weather!

✅ If you haven’t already, please RSVP in Spond. Knowing who’s coming helps us plan ride groups and ensure we have enough coaches for every athlete.

See you on the trails! 🤘

🚴‍♀️ GRiT Practice – Tomorrow at Phil’s Trailhead! 🌲

Calling all Bend Composite GRiT riders! Join us tomorrow for another awesome evening of riding, skills, and fun.

📍 Meet: Phil’s Trailhead (trailhead signs)
⏰ Meet Time: 4:45 PM
🚲 Ride Time: 5:00–7:00 PM

We’ll start with introductions, then split into two groups:

🔥 Spicy: Marvins / ELV / Phil’s
🎉 Party Pace: Time Trial Loop

🌞 Heads up: It’s going to be hot (around 86°F), so please:
💧 Bring plenty of water.
🥤 Consider an electrolyte drink.
🍎 Have a snack before practice.
🧴 Don’t forget sunscreen!

We can’t wait to see everyone out on the trails. Let’s ride together, build confidence, and have a great time! 💜

🚵‍♂️ Bend Composite Bike Care Tip of the Week 🚵‍♀️

Want your bike to shift better, last longer, and be ready for every practice and race?

Wash your bike after every ride!

A quick post-ride cleaning routine helps:
✅ Extend the life of expensive components
✅ Keep your drivetrain running smoothly
✅ Prevent unnecessary wear and corrosion
✅ Make it easier to spot mechanical issues before they become problems
✅ Show respect for the equipment that gets you out on the trails

A few key reminders:
💧 Use low-pressure water only
🧽 Clean dirt and mud from the frame and components
⚙️ Pay special attention to the drivetrain (chain, cassette, and derailleur)
🧴 Always relube your chain after washing
🚫 Avoid spraying water directly into bearings, suspension pivots, bottom brackets, and headsets

A clean bike is a fast bike. More importantly, it’s a reliable bike.

Parents: This is a great habit to help your athlete build early. Just 10–15 minutes after a ride can save hours of maintenance later in the season.

What is the dirtiest bike your family has brought home after a ride? Drop a photo in the comments! 👇📸

🚵‍♀️ Parents Make NICA Possible! 🚵‍♂️

Did you know that every successful NICA team is powered by amazing parent volunteers?

Whether you’re helping at practices, organizing race weekends, taking photos, coordinating food, supporting communications, or simply cheering on our student-athletes, there is a role for everyone. No cycling experience is required—just a willingness to support our kids and help build an incredible team community.

Our riders benefit from more than just mountain biking. They gain confidence, resilience, friendships, leadership skills, and a lifelong love of the outdoors. None of that happens without dedicated parents stepping forward to help.

If you’ve ever wondered how you can get involved, now is the perfect time! Every volunteer makes a difference, and every contribution helps create an unforgettable experience for our student-athletes.

Interested in joining our team of volunteers? Reach out to us and let’s find a role that fits your interests, schedule, and talents.

🚨 DESCHUTES COMPOSITE TEAM STORE IS OPEN! 🚨

It’s time to gear up for the 2026 season! The PodiumWear team store is now open, but the ordering window is short—all orders must be placed by Thursday, July 9 at 10:00 PM PT.

🛒 Shop the Team Store⁠

https://www.podiumwear.com/team-storefront/deschutes-composite-mtb-2026/

What do riders need?
✅ Student-athletes only need an official team jersey to race.
✅ Everything else is optional.
✅ Middle school riders typically choose the Silver Short Sleeve MTB Jersey for comfort on warm race days.

Parents, coaches, siblings, and fans are welcome to order team gear and show their Deschutes Composite spirit all season long! 🚵‍♀️🚵‍♂️💛🖤

Need help with sizing? Sample kits are available to try on, and PodiumWear sizing remains unchanged from previous years.

Let’s get those jerseys ordered and get ready for another amazing season of trails, teamwork, and !

🧼🚲 Is Your Bike Ready for the First NICA Ride? 🚲🧼

Practice season is almost here, and now is the perfect time to give your bike some attention!

A clean, well-maintained bike:
✅ Shifts better
✅ Lasts longer
✅ Helps prevent mechanical issues
✅ Keeps you riding instead of fixing trailside problems

Before our first training ride, take a few minutes to:
🔹 Clean your drivetrain (chain, cassette, and derailleur)
🔹 Wash off dirt and mud
🔹 Dry your bike thoroughly
🔹 Lubricate your chain

While you’re at it, don’t forget the NICA ABC Quick Check:
🔸 Air – Tires inflated and holding air
🔸 Brakes – Working properly
🔸 Chain/Cranks – Clean, lubricated, and functioning smoothly

A little maintenance now can make a big difference on the trail. Let’s start the season rolling with bikes that are safe, clean, and ready for adventure!

💧🚵 Fuel Your Ride, Fuel Your Fun! 🚵💧

As we get ready for the start of the NICA season, don’t forget that what you eat and drink is just as important as how you train.

A few simple habits can make a huge difference in your energy, performance, and recovery:

🍽️ Eat a balanced meal 2–3 hours before practice
🍌 Have a small carb-rich snack about an hour before riding
💧 Bring plenty of water and consider adding electrolytes on hot days
⚡ Fuel early and often during longer rides
🥛 Recover with protein and carbohydrates after practice

One of the most common mistakes we see is riders showing up under-fueled or under-hydrated. Arriving ready to ride helps you have more fun, learn more skills, and finish practice feeling strong.

Parents: Please help your rider come prepared with water, snacks, and a plan for recovery after practice.

Let’s start the season strong, stay healthy, and make every mile count!

🔧🚵‍♀️ GRIT Bike Repair Clinic Recap 🚵‍♀️🔧

What an awesome afternoon of learning, teamwork, and hands-on bike maintenance!

Our GRIT riders got their hands dirty learning essential trail-side and at-home repair skills, including:
✅ Fixing flats and installing tubes
✅ Tire and wheel removal
✅ Chain maintenance and repair
✅ Bike safety checks
✅ Basic troubleshooting and trail readiness

The best part? The girls weren’t just watching—they were doing. From removing tires and patching flats to working on chains and asking great questions, every rider gained confidence in keeping their bike rolling.

A huge thank you to our volunteer coaches and parents who shared their knowledge and helped make the clinic a success. Building strong riders means building independent riders, and these athletes are well on their way!

💜 GRIT (Girls Riding Together) is about more than riding bikes—it’s about building confidence, friendships, leadership, and life skills.

🚵‍♀️💜