When it comes to mountain bike racing, the colors blue, green and pink mean something special. If you’ve been to any major races in the past 15 years, you’ve seen the Bear National Team’s signature kits in those colors on riders at the front of the pack and on the podium. These jerseys, which signify being part of the top mountain bike development team in the nation, also reveal a rider who, according to director Julia Violich, has been “encouraged to focus on fun, gratitude, awareness of others, and personal growth driven by values and goals.” As background, Julia was a competitive soccer player at UC Berkeley before discovering competitive biking and earning five national titles. Big thanks to Julia, who took a break from her coaching duties at Bear (an organization that JAMBAR is proud to partner with) to answer the following questions.
JAMBAR: This year, the Bear team consists of 30 athletes made up of juniors aged 15-18, U23 professionals, and gravel riders. Your bikers hail from 19 different states. How is Bear so successful at coaching across distance and disciplines?
JULIA: The Bear program has been a national program for almost two decades. As a result, we successfully group athletes in regions and encourage them to ride and train together. In addition, our races are in venues from coast to coast; we always come a few days early to these events so athletes can spend quality time together.
JAMBAR: What is the selection process like for the Bear National Team? What qualities are you looking for when you review applications?
JULIA: The selection process is very competitive. Year over year, we have more than 200 applicants vying for a very limited number of roster spots. The athletic caliber of the applicants is extraordinary. As a result, we spend more time focusing on the caliber of the person. Our application requires two letters of recommendation, several short answer essays, one longer essay and a race resume. It takes time and effort to complete a quality application. If an athlete puts in the time for a strong application, chances are good they will put in the effort for a quality season on the bike.
JAMBAR: More than 60 Bear riders have been invited to join Team USA and race at World Cup and World Championship events, and the Olympics. What does it feel like to see your former riders standing on the podium at the highest levels of the sport? What does it mean to your current team when they see professionals who are alumni of your program?
JULIA: We are so proud of our alumni. So many of them have reached the highest level of the sport, many are paid professionals racing internationally; however, more importantly, our alumni are doctors, lawyers, teachers, environmental advocates, coaches and public servants. They carry the Bear ethos of "giving to get” well beyond their cycling career and give impactfully to their communities!
JAMBAR: In addition to coaching for Bear, you’re a longtime National Interscholastic Cycling Association (NICA) coach for a high school team. NICA is responsible for the creation of high school mountain biking leagues across the country, while development teams like Bear take talented riders to the next level by coaching and teaching them how to be professionals on and off the course. Is this similar to the journey taken by European cyclists? What do you think could improve competitive cycling in the US?
JULIA: We have definitely seen a sea change in mountain biking (and road, track and BMX cycling) in the recent decade. NICA has been able to attract talent at the grassroots level and has made cycling a cool, hip and “normal” sport to participate in. European cyclists do have an advantage as cycling (and futbol) are such prevalent and important sports in the European culture. I believe NICA is getting the US closer to that ideal, but it will take time as sports like football, baseball and basketball are still so popular here. However, like soccer and lacrosse, we are now seeing the masses flock to cycling at a young age.
JAMBAR: What is something our readers would be surprised to learn about you?
JULIA: I am a numbers geek. With an academic background in econ and finance, I love derivatives, statistics and data sets. One of my favorite parts of coaching is delving into heart rate and power numbers. But like economics and finance, much of cycling is also driven by non-quantifiable aspects such as passion, personality and persistence. Integrating the qualitative with quantitative influences aids my ability to help athletes achieve their goals.
JAMBAR: What is your philosophy regarding nutrition?
JULIA: Nutrition is a secret weapon. So many athletes can train on or off the bike, but those who understand the true importance of nutrition and the role it plays in performance are the ones who will be the most successful.
JAMBAR: What is your favorite JAMBAR flavor? When do you eat JAMBARs?
JULIA: My favorite? Most of the time, that depends on my mood. Some days I can’t get enough Musical Mango in my jersey pocket, other days I only have eyes for Chocolate Cha Cha! All the flavors are so satisfying and yummy it truly is hard to pick a favorite.
JAMBAR: The next few years see some of the biggest mountain biking events in the world coming to the United States with the 2028 Olympics in Los Angeles and the 2030 World Mountain Biking Championships in Durango, Colo. How do you think hosting these high profile events will affect US athletes and the sport in our country?
JULIA: This year we will have TWO World Cup races in the US - one outside of Park City in Utah and one in Lake Placid, New York. The excitement around these has been incredible. Lots of non-competitive cyclists are traveling to these races to watch the world’s best compete against each other. The LA Olympics will also bring a lot of attention to mountain biking in the US. I do think we will have an incredible, competitive group of athletes representing America, all with a great shot at a medal performance. And Durango in 2030…well, it doesn’t get any bigger than that! All eyes across the globe will be focused on the event. The energy it will bring to the US will be unparalleled!
JAMBAR: When you’re traveling with the Bear athletes, who are some of the team’s favorite musical artists for the road trip playlist?
JULIA: Great question. Taylor Swift is a favorite of the girls for sure (and lots of the boys too). Cage the Elephant, Post Malone, Lex Amarni and the Deftones to name a few others.
JAMBAR: Thanks again, Julia, for taking the time to talk with us. Is there anything else you’d like to share?
JULIA: My parting thought is one of gratitude. We are so grateful for JAMBAR’s support of our program and our athletes. At the NICA level, local companies and parents foot the bill. Once an athlete is successful, sponsorships flow. But between those two, it is very difficult to raise money for the “development” phase of the sport. The Bear National Team scrambles to find support for athletes who want to take it to the next level (which requires national and international travel, mechanical support, equipment support and on and on). We are grateful for the nutritional resources that JAMBAR supports us with. It truly makes a huge difference for the athletes!