Did you know that mountain bike racing is quickly becoming a mainstream high school sport? Even to such a degree that many high schools in California are establishing school affiliated mountain bike teams. Currently, there 52 high school mountain bike racing teams spread between public and private schools in Northern California. For years, riding a bike has been a childs’ activity, but as of the turn of the millenia, riding a bike has become an increasingly trendy sport.
“For hundreds kids in northernCalifornia, the ride never stops—it gets faster. These are the student-athletes of the NorCal High School Cycling League. They come from the mountains, the suburbs, and the city. Some ride carbon fiber race bikes, others, old steel clunkers. They ride to win, to finish, or just to escape. For six weekends every spring, they don their school colors, roll up to the start line, and fly,” said Jacob Siegel-Boettner, a filmmaker who recently filmed and produced the first feature-length documentary focused on high school mountain bike racing, Singletrack High.
Last week’s NorCal Racing League season opener, held in Granite Bay, attracted more than 350 high school racers. Racers of all levels and abilities compete broken into divisions from Freshmen to Varsity. The top Varsity racer completed 24 miles in one hour and 34 minutes.
“While this league does produce elite athletes, it also welcomes and encourages novice mountain bike racers. High school mountain biking leagues produce physically and mentally strong riders of all abilities,” said Paige Ramsey, Head coach of Placer Foothills Composite Race Team.
AlthoughPlacerHigh Schoolcurrently does not have its own mountain bike team, Placer students have been racing on the Placer Foothills Composite Race Team for several years, and they still are welcome to join. Placer Foothills brings together riders from all over the foothills without a school sponsorship to compete as a team. The team gathers between January and May to train, race and have fun on local trails such as Stagecoach,HiddenFalls, Culvert, Foresthill Divide Loop andGraniteBay. Training can range anywhere from light trail riding to intense hill repeats. The team also participates in community service projects such as trail building and aid stations. In addition to the fitness and fun, team members enjoy benefits such as discounted gym membership and discounts at local sponsors.
If you’re interested in finding out more about high school mountain biking or joining the local team, check out www.PlacerFoothillsMTB.com for more information.