Whole Athlete-Specialized Cycling Team Preps for National Championships with High Altitude Training Camp

For the third consecutive year the Whole Athlete-Specialized Cycling Team will prepare for the Mountain Bike National Championships with a three-week high altitude training camp.

With the Nationals course in Sun Valley, ID at 6000 ft., the team will prepare by acclimating to the thin air of North Lake Tahoe while training and racing for the three weeks prior to the main event. The camp kicks off with the Annadel XC race in Santa Rosa on Saturday June 25th, then it's up to the Sierra's, where the following two weekends include the Peavine Challenge XC in Reno, NV and the Downieville Classic.

True to Whole Athlete's holistic approach, the team camp includes daily yoga, highly nutritious meals, mental training sessions with the team sport psychologist and of course, epic riding. The camp is truly a team effort and the young riders share the cooking, cleaning and bike maintenance responsibilities. Eight junior boys, four U23s and five junior girls will represent the team at Nationals, with Kate Courtney and Keegan Swenson each defending their 2010 Junior titles.

Follow the young riders during their camp adventures here on the team blog and Facebook.

Whole Athlete-Specialized National Championship Team

U23 Men
Zach Valdez
Will Curtis
Will Patterson
Riley Predum

Junior Men 17/18
Keegan Swenson
Tony Smith
Max Houtzager
Taylor Smith
Eliel Anttila
Bobby Zidek

Junior Men 15/16
Lucas Newcomb
Jonny Kaufman

Junior Women 17/18
Sofia Hamilton
Mackinzie Stanley
Victoria Yoham

Junior Women 15/16
Kate Courtney
Josie Nordrum