Ride longer, stronger, and faster!

BRUTE
SQUAD

Brute Squad

Brute Squad (BMA Riders United in Training for Endurance) is a 16-week MTB training program designed to improve the strength and endurance of its athletes in preparation for an end-of-season target race. The Brute Squad program addresses all aspects of performance necessary to help its athletes achieve peak fitness, and execute to their full potential on race day.

COACHED WORKOUTS

First Wheel Coaching provides professional coaching and training plan to help you achieve your mountain biking goals.

Ride Stronger

Shorter, higher intensity workouts focus on increasing power, allowing you to cover ground at a higher rate of speed.

Ride Smarter

Practicing intelligent pacing, hydration, and nutrition strategies, as well as developing technical, tactical, and psychological skills allows you to perform to the maximum of your hard-earned capabilities on race day.

Ride Longer

Longer, lower intensity rides focus on increasing endurance and improving aerobic metabolism, allowing you to maintain a higher effort level for longer periods of time.

Training Schedule

Each athlete will receive a detailed 16-week training schedule with two, shorter (one-hour), higher-intensity bike workouts per week, along with one longer distance weekend ride (starting at about 20 miles, and ramping up to about 50 miles at the peak of the training season). Training intensity is individualized based on results of power or heart-rate threshold testing.

Group Workouts

We meet every Tuesday for a coached workout at locations around Boulder. An optional, uncoached Thursday workout led by Brute Squad Group Leaders will also be available.

Practice Races

The training plan includes three practice races, which will help you dial in your pacing, nutrition, and hydration strategies, as well as practice the bike handling skills and the mental skills necessary for executing to your full potential.

Target Race

The target race is a long-distance event, with distance options of 25 or 50 miles. This race is the culmination of our training season, where we put all of our hard work and training to the test on some of the most challenging and beautiful courses in the country.

Group Meetings

During the season, optional on-line meetings will be held to talk about relevant topics such as training strategies, metabolic processes, data analysis, and mental skills for competition. Featured talks from local experts include topics such as bike maintenance and nutritional strategies.

First Wheel Coaching

At First Wheel Coaching, we specialize in helping athletes of all levels unlock their full potential through expert guidance and personalized training plans.

Joe’s Story

Joe brings over a decade of racing experience from competitions across the globe. His journey into coaching began at a challenging point in his career: two surgeries on his right knee. During his recovery, Joe delved into research, asking critical questions: How could he have prevented the injury? How could he adapt now that it had occurred?

Thanks to the guidance of skilled physical therapists, Joe developed a new approach to training—one that prioritized longevity and effectiveness over old methods that no longer worked for him.

Since retiring from professional racing in 2018, Joe has worked with Olympic medalists, World and National Champions, and managed an award-winning youth development program. He has helped athletes of all ages achieve their personal bests across a variety of cycling disciplines.

Noah’s Journey

Noah grew up racing on the road in New Jersey and has competed in nearly every cycling discipline. Today, he races criteriums professionally for the Miami Blazers and takes on gravel races whenever he can.

Noah began his coaching career in 2020 when the racing calendar slowed down, and he has since coached athletes in mountain biking, gravel, cyclocross, road, and track. His athletes have achieved success as National Champions, Pan-American Champions, and competitors at World Championships.

In 2024, Noah joined the First Wheel team and became involved with Brute Squad. He’s excited to continue building on the success of the program in the coming season.

Our Participants

The folks of Brute Squad cover a wide spectrum of age, speed, and biking experience. Some are seasoned racers who are looking to take on longer distances, or get faster at their favorite annual event. Others are completely new to endurance riding, and are looking for help preparing for their first big race, ride, or multi-day tour.

2026 Race Schedule

PRACTICE RACES
May 2: 18 Hours of Fruita
TBD: CU Short Track
TBD: Winter Park Point-to-Point

TARGET RACE
August 8: Emerald Mountain Epic

2026 Important Dates

TBD: Registration Opens
TBD: Kickoff meeting
April 21: First group workout
April 25: Pie ride to Gold Hill
TBD: Fraser 50 Ride
TBD – Rocky Mountain National Park Night Ride

(dates are subject to change)

2026 Program Cost

$499*

Includes a Brute Squad kit (supplied by local sponsor Cuore), and a premium level TrainingPeaks account for the duration of the program. Does not include race entry fees.

BMA Membership required. Join BMA for $5/month or $39/year.

For questions about registration, email bruteleader@bouldermountainbike.org

F.A.Q.

Can I still ride for fun?
Of course! Though the workouts are more structured during the week, the weekend “workouts” typically just specify a recommended distance or duration. We encourage you to do those rides on your favorite trails.
Do I have to do the target race?
The training program is a 16-week program designed to have you perform to your full potential for the target race.  Though we encourage everyone in the program to participate in this event, it is not required.  You could also choose to treat this event as a long, supported ride, rather than aiming for a specific finish time.
Can I do a different race?
If you have a favorite race that occurs in the middle of the program, or after the program has ended, your coach can help you adjust your training schedule to have you at your peak for a target race of your choosing.
Do I have to do the practice races?
Practice races not only provide great workouts, but are a great way to dial in nutrition and hydration strategies, as well as your pacing plan for race day. Practice races also help with improving bike handling, learning how to pass and get passed, and learning how to cope with the mental challenges of racing (including pre-race jitters, breaking through the wall, and more).  Plus, they are typically a lot of fun.  Though they are not required, they are highly recommended.
How much experience do I need?
We assume you know how to ride moderately technical singletrack (such as Hall, Heil, Walker, Betasso, Marshall Mesa, Centennial Cone, and Buffalo Creek) and are comfortable with the idea of riding long distances and being in the saddle for several hours. We are not expecting you to be able to drop 4-footers, huck cliffs, or blast downhill at breakneck speed.
What equipment do I need?
A well-functioning mountain bike is a great start. You can ride whatever type of mountain bike you like. You can ride clipped in, or on flat pedals. A helmet is a must.  Though not required, some kind of data collection device would be beneficial along with a heart rate strap or power meter. A lighting system will be required if you plan to join us for night rides. We will be happy to give you guidance with any of your equipment needs.
What if I am too slow for the group?
“Slow” is a pejorative label which doesn’t really apply in our training group.  We have riders who ride at a wide variety of average speeds.  Workouts are based on time in the saddle, not distance traveled, so it really doesn’t matter if you happen to travel at a lower rate of speed.  All that matters is that you are doing the workout as prescribed for you. Nobody will be left out, and nobody will be left behind. We organize ourselves into informal pace groups during workouts so you can ride with people who ride about the same speed.
Am I expected to show up to every group workout?
Success in this program is a result of showing up. The more workouts you can attend, the better.  That said, we are not professional athletes, and as such, we need to balance our training with the demands of work, family, and other responsibilities. At times, we all get unexpectedly busy, sick, or injured.  In those instances where life gets in the way and prevents you from attending workouts, your coach will try to help you continue to get the most out of your training.
Where will we ride?
The group workouts on Tuesdays and Thursdays will be held at various locations in and around Boulder. They will start at 6 PM, and last about 60-75 minutes.
What about the other workouts?
On Saturdays, you are free to do the workout/ride on your own in the place of your choosing. If you want company, know that you’ll have plenty of training partners who will be looking for company as well.
Are there any additional costs?
The program fee does not include the entry fees for the target race, or the practice races.  A team jersey and shorts (or bibs) are included with your program fee.  If you wish to purchase additional team jerseys, shorts, gloves, and arm/leg warmers beyond the kit items that are included with your registration, they can be purchased at our discounted team rate.

Brute Squad Committee

BRUTE Squad Committee is a group of veteran BRUTES who are focused on continuing the good work and community Scott Gurst have built over the past decade! It is a volunteer group that loves bikes, loves the BRUTE Squad, and is committed to keeping this going.

Morgan Newlon

I’m entering my tenth season with Brute Squad, and I keep coming back for the same reason every year: the people and the community. It works, too—I always end up stronger. And if you’re going to do hill repeats, you might as well do them with your friends.
My favorite long rides are big bikepacking adventures, including trips like the Eastern Divide Trail. This season I’ll be lining up for the BRUTEs end-of-season race in Steamboat—the Emerald Epic—and if time allows finishing the Colorado Trail.
I live in Jamestown(ish), which means most of my training rides start with a descent and end with a climb. When I’m not riding, I’m spending time with my wife, our two giant-breed dogs (a St. Bernard and a Great Dane), and enjoying bikes, gummy bears, and whatever adventure comes next.

Adam Sher

I am one of the lucky three(ish) original members of the Brute Squad who have been training with the Brute Squad every year since it began in 2012 and am looking forward to the 2026 season! My favorite long ride is the annual Fraser 50 with the Brutes. My proudest bike-related accomplishment is completing the Leadville 100 MTB race and attaining the L100 belt buckle. My personal goal for this season is to get back to the fitness level I had before I compression-fractured two vertebrae in June, 2024. My favorite Brute Squad event is the Fraser 50, but I keep coming back for the camaraderie and friendships.

Will Edgington

I’ve been a Brute for 8 seasons. My favorite long ride is Super Walker from the house in Longmont. My proudest accomplishment on a bike is either completing Leadville 100 or surviving hypothermia on a difficult day on the Kokopelli Trail with fellow Brutes. My 2024 goals are to earn the fitness with the Brutes and then do more fun rides – maybe even the Arizona Trail. What I love about Brute Squad is the camaraderie and the ability to complete bike events due to the group’s encouragement and example.

Rhiannon Brey

This will be my sixth season with the Brute Squad and I look forward to many more! It’s hard to choose a favorite long ride, but I think Monarch Crest and the Brute Fraser 50 tie for the title. My proudest mountain bike moment was finishing the Dakota 5-0 two years ago after being injured on the course a few years prior (and finally making it to the bacon station!). The people in Brute Squad are my favorite part of the program. I love friendships that I’ve made over long rides and challenging workouts, as well as the support that comes from being part of a team.

Our fabulous 2025 sponsors!

Brute Squad News

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Contact the Brute Squad Leadership Committee