Piedmont High School’s Mountain Biking team had their last race of the regular season this weekend in Novato. There were smiles all around, and an amazing turnout from middle and high school riders alike. The Stoked at Stafford race also featured an adventure ride, a peek into the racing lifestyle for riders curious about a course, but not quite ready to race.
Last year’s race was rescheduled when the trail course was covered with poison oak so thick it was almost impassable, and thick, dangerous, gravel was scattered all over the trail. This year, the course was almost unrecognizable — but in a good way. The entire cycling community is eternally grateful for the volunteer hours put in by fellow high school riders and coaches. They worked hard reconstructing a trail not used by NICA in over 13 years, building switchbacks, and pulling plants.
Unlike most NICA races, this race had a rolling start, where racers got in formation and were led for the first two hundred yards by a course marshal. They were then released to the first uphill stretch, finally allowed to battle for position. Racers continued to Stafford Bike Park, packed tight on switchbacks and a pump track with minimal room to pass. From there, they climbed a steep hill riddled with ascending switchbacks for about one third of the racecourse. This is where a majority of the racetime was spent, where races were made or broken.
To finish out their laps, riders cruised downhill through a disc golf course before the lap flattened out to the finish line. “This is not like your normal NICA course” was the general consensus among riders. The elongated uphill was atypical for the National Interscholastic Cycling Association, and not wholly appreciated by riders. However, it gave some the opportunity to show off their climbing skills.
Aside from the race, there was time for socializing. “It’s so fun to just goof off with the team after a stressful race,” said freshman rider Olivia Bailey. Morning racers set off to catch the start of the Freshman Boys D1 race after lunch, shouting “Lights out and away we go!” as teammates speed across the start. They then enjoyed playing cards aside the racecourse while cheering on racers and folding paper stars. Meanwhile, the GRiT (Girls Riding Together) tent offered bedazzling all day, where riders enjoyed decorating glasses and cowbells alike while bonding with other girl+ riders.
To close out the day, teams headed to the podium. Piedmont admired the baby geese and made daisy crowns while awaiting their start. When Jasper Schuetz’s name was called for his 5th place finish in Varsity Boys, Piedmont erupted in applause. Leader jerseys and medals were handed out, and trophies given to teams with the most points. “While the racecourse was difficult, the race itself was a very fun experience where I got to see a lot of friends from other teams” said current co-vice captain and future co-captain Caleb Canada.
Though this race was technically the end of the regular season, most riders are excited to return to Six Sigma winery in two weeks time for Championships. There, they will face off against over a thousand riders from all over Northern California for top spots.