There is bright hope for the sport of cycling!

My previous post was sad and depressing.  This post is all about hope for the future.

Within the last few years, an organization has emerged - National Interscholastic Cycling Association - which is introducing cycling as a sanctioned high school sport.  NICA is initially focused on mountain biking, but could expand to other formats as it grows.  Their goal is to be inclusive, so that boys and girls participate.  They find sponsors, so that even kids of modest means are provided with equipment and given the opportunity to ride.  They recognize winners, but they make it fun for riders of all ability levels.  The teams spend time learning fundamentals, conditioning, training on beautiful mountain trails, and finally competing against other schools.  They also teach the ethics of cycling, and they involve the kids in trail maintenance and related public service.  Some of the riders may pursue competitive careers, but the goal is for all of the kids to become life-long riders for the health and the fun of it.  See their website at: http://www.nationalmtb.org/

Last weekend, I was privileged to witness the final race of the inaugural season for the Utah affiliates of this amazing organization.  They had around 300 riders from dozens of high schools throughout the state.  There were races in eight different divisions (varsity, junior, sophomore, freshman; boys and girls in each).  The course was a challenging 5-mile winding loop through the gorgeous hills and forests of Soldier Hollow Olympic venue (from the 2002 Winter Olympics)!  The lower divisions rode 2 laps - 10 miles; the varsity riders did 4 laps - 20 miles.

Here are a few pictures.  Yes, the future of cycling looks very bright!

 Skyline High School team, posing for pre-race pictures

The start of the sophomore girls' division race.  Front row, left to right: 102: Ellen Dahl, Lone Peak; 103: Emma Barney, Lone Peak; 114: Malacie Jorgensen, Mountain View; 109: Rachel Wedge, Alta; 100: Kylie Osguthorpe, Ogden High (wearing leader's jersey, based on points from prior races).

The start of the freshman girls' race.  Front row, left to right: 704: Lizzie McIntyre, Pleasant Grove; 707: Kylee Shaffer, Alta; 705: Megan McMillan, Morgan.

This main staging area.  This photo gives an idea of the size of the event.

Another view of the staging area.

Action on the course.  Left: Tasha Heilweil, Skyline; right: Brenna Egan, Park City.

The varsity girls battling for the lead.   003: Tasha Heilweil, Skyline; 001: Brenna Egan, Park City (wearing leader's jersey); 005: Ellie Burton, Park City.  Brenna Egan went on to win this race, and claimed the top spot for the season in her division.

Malacie Jorgensen, a junior rider from Mountain View, winding through the course, eventually claiming second place in this race for her division.

Madison Griggs, a junior rider from Jordan High School.

Alexa Bertagnolli, a sophomore rider from Summit Academy, rounding one of the corners.

Sarah Cassell, a junior rider from Skyline High School, concentrating on the trail ahead.

Kylee Shaffer (my granddaughter), a freshman from Alta High School, speeding toward the finish.

Sierra Pogue, a freshman rider from Summit Academy racing up the final incline to the finish line, where she claimed the final podium spot (fifth place) in this race for her division.