LCW Juniors

Gravity Teams

Focused on Enduro, All Mountain & Downhill for Ages 12-17

Loppet Cycle Works is excited to offer programming opportunities that are sure to get metro area’s youth mountain bikers stoked. LCW Gravity is a broad approach to introducing, applying and refining the technical mountain bike skills and terrain awareness that build confidence on and off the bike across disciplines. We have put together a dedicated and experienced team of coaches, guides and instructors who are on mission to develop the LCW Gravity Team and instill a passion for lifelong learning outdoors.

Our head coach is Dustin Schiltz and he has earned his PMBIA Level 2 certification at the world-renown Whistler Bike Park, his BICP Level 2 in the red rock of Moab and is a NOLS Wilderness First Responder. He has 20 years of riding experience ranging from pounding out bike park laps at Whistler and Trestle, dropping in on the Whole Enchilada and Portal trail in Moab to the most recent trail explosion we are seeing in Bentonville and everywhere in-between. He even has toed the line at XC events like Leadville 100, Lutsen 99er, Almanzo and Iceman Cometh. He and the coaching team will use this experience in conjunction with the latest instruction methodologies developed by the industry’s two most trusted certification programs: Professional Mountain Bike Instructors Association (PMBIA) and Bicycle Instruction Certification Program (BICP). What ultimately sets us apart from other programs is we talk the talk and walk the walk — we ride what we coach and instruct. Tabletops, road gaps, step ups, step downs, huge rock rolls, drops, you name it we’ve sent it and can bring that experience to the table. You will never see us instruct a technique, skill or feature we can’t competently ride and accurately break down and demonstrate the how’s-and-whys. We are continuously progressing our instruction knowledge-base and technique in tandem with our own riding skills, all under the best practices of risk management developed by the National Outdoor Leaders School.

Dustin is also the owner of DrtPdlrs MTB Instruction and Guide service whose mission is to instill the area’s youth with a passion for the outdoors through mountain biking. Loppet Cycle Works and DrtPdlrs are collaborating to provide in-depth instruction locally with the goal of taking the team to all of the amazing trails like; Giants Ridge, Redhead MTB Park, and Split Rock Wilds to name a few, we’ve seen built in the region recently. It’s at these premier riding destinations where the instruction we’ve established and refined at the Loppet Trailhead will be on full display as our riders apply their knowledge and skill to new and challenging terrain with confidence. We help youth take their riding to the next level in a progression-based model that inspires riders not to simply “huck and pray” but rather advance skill based on the internalization and continual refinement of a proper foundational skillset(s). We are beyond excited to continue this effort for 2024 and see where we can take Minnesota’s next generation of riders. Check out the day trips and camps for further info.

The Gravity team will have a base price for the training days at Wirth. Optional Day Trips through our partner DrtPlrs will be provided monthly. The Day Trips information will be posted on Team App.

We have two different teams to choose from, Comp or Devo. The difference between the two teams comes down to experience. The comp team are kids that have been in the program a year or more and have the equipment that supports this style of riding (see below). The devo team is for those just coming into this style of riding, have less experience and are eager to learn more about technical riding.

Comp Team (ages 13-17) – Two days a week training at Wirth

Session 1

  • Dates: April 9 – June 27
  • Days/Time: Tuesdays/Thursdays, 5:00-6:30p (time is subject to change)
  • Where: The Trailhead 
  • Cost: $625

Session 2

  • Dates: July 9 – October 15
  • Days/Time: Tuesdays/Thursdays, 5:00-6:30p (time is subject to change)
  • Where: The Trailhead 
  • Cost: $750

Devo Team (ages 12-15)- Two days a week training at Wirth

Session 1

  • Dates: April 30 – June 27
  • Days/Time: Tuesdays/Thursdays, 5:00-6:30p (time is subject to change)
  • Where: The Trailhead 
  • Cost: $450

Session 2

  • Dates: July 9 – October 1
  • Days/Time: Tuesdays/Thursdays, 5:00-6:30p (time is subject to change)
  • Where: The Trailhead 
  • Cost: $625

Bike: Typically for this style of riding you’ll want a bike with dual suspension, at minimum 130mm travel on the fork and 120mm for the rear shock. The sweet spot is a mid travel bike with about 150mm fork travel and 140mm rear shock travel. You can get away with using a hardtail bike (no rear suspension) but if you plan on doing any DrtPdlrs day trips or camps you’ll definitely want a dual suspension mid travel bike.

Helmet: Helmets (half shell ) are required and must be free of any damage from previous knocks. Full face helmets are required for DrtPdlrs day trips or camps to bike parks like Spirit Mtn, Giants Ridge, etc.

Pads: Knee Pads are worn by about half the team at practices. On DrtPdlrs day trips or camps knee pads are required.

Elbow pads and chest protectors are strongly suggested but not required.

Registration for camps and trips will go through the DrtPdlrs website. Part of this partnership is all LCW team members will receive special pricing for camps and trips. For further information on trips and camps send an email to lcw@loppet.org.

2024 Schedule

  • Spring MN Camp – Late April early May
  • Cooper Harbor Camp – May 23-27 (alternitive date mid June)
  • Duluth Camp – July 18-21 (KA Duluth Bike Fest)
  • Colorado Camp – August 1-7

The Loppet will issue a full refund of the program fee minus the original processing fee up until 4 weeks before the program starts.  Between 4 and 3 weeks from the program start date, a 50% refund will be issued. There are no refunds for any cancellations within less than 3 weeks of the start of a program.

if you have any questions, please contact lcw@loppet.org.

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