FLYRS Racing & Development (RAD) Team
*RAD Team application open until November 19. Acceptances sent by December 1*
The FLYRS RAD team was an idea years in the making. The FLYRS and local high school club teams are developing a lot of riders each year (1,000 participants in FLYRS in 2023) resulting in many athletes who want to pursue competitive mountain biking. Most national competitive youth development teams are only a team in concept but not in actual practice, cost thousands of dollars, and have an extremely high burnout rate. Like all FLYRS programs, we wanted to create a much-needed space that didn’t currently exist in our community.
The RAD Team takes the FLYRS concept of creating team comradery, having fun on bikes, progressive/focused coaching, and developing fast riders into an outlet for competitive riders to excel in the future.
FLYRS invests in Flagstaff’s driven youth mountain bikers through the RAD team to help them pursue their goals. The RAD team is financially supported by FLYRS to keep the cost to participants a small fraction of the actual program costs through grants, donations, and sponsorships. This fulfills our goal of eliminating barriers and creating more access into the upper levels of the sport of mountain biking where competitive pursuits become financially challenging and inaccessible.
The RAD Team takes the FLYRS concept of creating team comradery, having fun on bikes, progressive/focused coaching, and developing fast riders into an outlet for competitive riders to excel in the future.
FLYRS invests in Flagstaff’s driven youth mountain bikers through the RAD team to help them pursue their goals. The RAD team is financially supported by FLYRS to keep the cost to participants a small fraction of the actual program costs through grants, donations, and sponsorships. This fulfills our goal of eliminating barriers and creating more access into the upper levels of the sport of mountain biking where competitive pursuits become financially challenging and inaccessible.
RAD Team eligibility
- Ages 14-18
- Must attend practices in Flagstaff
- FLYRS kit: jersey, bib, socks, gloves, practice shirt, long sleeve shirt or sweater
- Coach support and training plan with various options for cross training, fun activities, and practices focused on getting fast through nontraditional means to avoid burnout and enjoy riding for life.
- 8-week winter base training with twice per week practices from January 15 – March 7, including 1 day/week in gym and 1 day/week indoor or outdoor practice
- Winter training camp
- 8-week spring training with twice per week practices from April 2 – May 23
- Full travel support at select races including food, camping, and/or lodging
- Tentative race schedule for 2024:
- MBAA McDowell
- Vail Lakes Pro Cup
- MBAA Prescott Punisher
- Whiskey Off Road
- MBAA Flagstaff Frenzy
- Soldier Hollow (Pan American Championships)
- Missoula XCT
- Mountain Bike National Championships
- Van trips for some practices, special adventures, and select races
- Guest coaches, riders, and presentations
- Sessions on strength training, skill building, race strategy, goal setting, and mental toughness
- Discounts on bikes and parts from our sponsors
- Select pre-race bike checks from our sponsors
- Focus on building/peaking for Nationals in July, and team programming ends after Nationals in July
- Willing to work hard to reach peak performance
- Flexible, open minded, and committed to the team philosophy that fun is fast (special focus on riding/training being fun)
- Volunteer days for trail work and/or FLYRS coaching/mentoring
- Be a good trail steward, FLYRS ambassador, and all-around role model
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the application and selection process like?
We are looking for riders who want to work hard in their competitive pursuits, be open minded, and are committed to the team philosophy. Our selection process will be determined by the riders that we feel will best embody those characteristics. Also, we will make determinations based on skill and ability level to ensure we have a cohesive team. Depending on how competitive the application process is, we may need to reach out for further follow up before making final decisions.
The cost says $500 but the program description list appears to be many multiples of that. What’s the catch?
The biggest catch is that we expect team riders selected for the team to understand that they are sponsored riders and have been given a unique opportunity. With that understanding, we expect riders to attend most team practices, events, and work hard towards their goals. We expect them to represent FLYRS in the best way possible by being kind, caring, and encouraging to others. We also expect riders to give back to our community through volunteer efforts such as trail work and/or coaching/mentoring with FLYRS. And, of course, all riders should wear the RAD Team kit at all team races. The extent to which we can offer additional support for lodging, food, and travel is subject to funding from donors. Race fees are an additional expense covered by each rider although scholarships are available to help fund races.
Are there scholarships available?
Yes, FLYRS is committed to increasing access to the sport of mountain biking through all avenues including competitive riding where costs become a big financial burden. Please apply for a scholarship here.
How many riders will be selected?
Our goal is to put together a high-quality, cohesive team with riders competing at a high level. Because programming will be very focused, individualized, and partially funded by FLYRS, space is limited. There will be around 10 riders selected for 2024.
Am I a good candidate for the RAD Team?
Good candidates for the RAD Team are:
What if I already have a coach?
FLYRS strives to meet riders where they are. We are open to being a part of your overall mountain bike programming IF your coach is open to your participation on the team and flexible in your training plan. You must be able to fully participate in team practices and events.
Do I have to commit to all the scheduled races?
Team riders must commit to participating in at least 3 of the scheduled races.
Who are the coaches?
Tyler Nelson is the RAD Team Head Coach and the rest of the RAD coaching staff is still being finalized.
What is the application and selection process like?
We are looking for riders who want to work hard in their competitive pursuits, be open minded, and are committed to the team philosophy. Our selection process will be determined by the riders that we feel will best embody those characteristics. Also, we will make determinations based on skill and ability level to ensure we have a cohesive team. Depending on how competitive the application process is, we may need to reach out for further follow up before making final decisions.
The cost says $500 but the program description list appears to be many multiples of that. What’s the catch?
The biggest catch is that we expect team riders selected for the team to understand that they are sponsored riders and have been given a unique opportunity. With that understanding, we expect riders to attend most team practices, events, and work hard towards their goals. We expect them to represent FLYRS in the best way possible by being kind, caring, and encouraging to others. We also expect riders to give back to our community through volunteer efforts such as trail work and/or coaching/mentoring with FLYRS. And, of course, all riders should wear the RAD Team kit at all team races. The extent to which we can offer additional support for lodging, food, and travel is subject to funding from donors. Race fees are an additional expense covered by each rider although scholarships are available to help fund races.
Are there scholarships available?
Yes, FLYRS is committed to increasing access to the sport of mountain biking through all avenues including competitive riding where costs become a big financial burden. Please apply for a scholarship here.
How many riders will be selected?
Our goal is to put together a high-quality, cohesive team with riders competing at a high level. Because programming will be very focused, individualized, and partially funded by FLYRS, space is limited. There will be around 10 riders selected for 2024.
Am I a good candidate for the RAD Team?
Good candidates for the RAD Team are:
- 15-18 race age in 2024 (determined by your age on December 31, 2024)
- Coachable – listen and hear what coaches have to say and enjoy the process of learning and growth
- Have competitive racing objectives and goals
- Are willing to work hard to compete at a high level
- A good trail steward, FLYRS ambassador, and all-around role model
What if I already have a coach?
FLYRS strives to meet riders where they are. We are open to being a part of your overall mountain bike programming IF your coach is open to your participation on the team and flexible in your training plan. You must be able to fully participate in team practices and events.
Do I have to commit to all the scheduled races?
Team riders must commit to participating in at least 3 of the scheduled races.
Who are the coaches?
Tyler Nelson is the RAD Team Head Coach and the rest of the RAD coaching staff is still being finalized.
About Head Coach Tyler Nelson
Tyler Nelson is the co founder of FLYRS and currently serves as the Executive Director. Tyler's coaching journey started 20 years ago as a professional FAA certified Flight Instructor. While this position is normally just a stepping stone to a more lucrative career in aviation, Tyler unlocked a passion for instructing. He really enjoyed developing pilots from their first flight in an airplane to landing a plane solo and, for some, becoming a commercial airline pilot. Tyler has taken the same methodical, progressive, and creative apporoach of training pilots and transformed it to coaching mountain biking and youth development. He especially enjoys the creative process of pushing competetive riders to excel in fun and unique ways. Tyler has been racing mountain bikes competetively for over 12 years, has coached mountain biking at all levels to hundreds of kids and coaches, and really enjoys helping develop Flagstaff youth into elite riders.
Tyler has attended numerous mountain bike camps, clinics, and held the following mtb Instructor Certifications: Level 1 PMBIA (Professional Mountain Bike Instructors Association), Level 3 NICA (National Interscholastic Cycling Association), Level 2 BICP (Bike Instructor Certification Program), and Wilderness First Aid certification. Tyler still holds a current Flight Instructor Certificate with single engine, multi engine, instrument airplane ratings, and holds an Airline Transport Pilot Certificate.
Tyler Nelson is the co founder of FLYRS and currently serves as the Executive Director. Tyler's coaching journey started 20 years ago as a professional FAA certified Flight Instructor. While this position is normally just a stepping stone to a more lucrative career in aviation, Tyler unlocked a passion for instructing. He really enjoyed developing pilots from their first flight in an airplane to landing a plane solo and, for some, becoming a commercial airline pilot. Tyler has taken the same methodical, progressive, and creative apporoach of training pilots and transformed it to coaching mountain biking and youth development. He especially enjoys the creative process of pushing competetive riders to excel in fun and unique ways. Tyler has been racing mountain bikes competetively for over 12 years, has coached mountain biking at all levels to hundreds of kids and coaches, and really enjoys helping develop Flagstaff youth into elite riders.
Tyler has attended numerous mountain bike camps, clinics, and held the following mtb Instructor Certifications: Level 1 PMBIA (Professional Mountain Bike Instructors Association), Level 3 NICA (National Interscholastic Cycling Association), Level 2 BICP (Bike Instructor Certification Program), and Wilderness First Aid certification. Tyler still holds a current Flight Instructor Certificate with single engine, multi engine, instrument airplane ratings, and holds an Airline Transport Pilot Certificate.