Park City School Mountain Bike Team riders take on 18 Hours of Fruita relay

Photo: PCHSMTB team riders in Fruita, Colorado where they rode in thee 18 Hours of Fruita relay.

Written by Elizabeth Dosher, Park City Mountain Bike Team Coach

FRUITA, Colo. – Although the official start to the mountain bike season for the Park City School Mountain Bike team doesn’t start until June 3, that didn’t stop a huge crew of student athletes and their coaches from getting things rolling in Fruita, Colorado on May 3. 

Forty five student-athletes and coaches made the journey to Fruita for the 18 Hours of Fruita bike race held at Highline Lake State Park, where they were grouped into relay teams consisting of 4-8 riders. 

This event wasn’t like the NICA season that governs regular season high school race events, instead it was a way for team members to engage in community together, strengthening the already tight-knit bond of this team and have a lot of fun. 

The team camped together, ate meals together, and rode under very different conditions than the high school race season provides for. It’s an opportunity for athletes to push themselves beyond normal circumstances in order to cope with night riding, being fatigued from lack of sleep, eating and hydrating, all while maintaining their bikes in dusty conditions around the clock for 18 hours. 

The race started at midnight Friday and ended at 6 p.m. on Saturday, May 4.

There is something unique about being out on the trails together, problem solving issues like mechanical malfunctions, and pushing for greater performance, wherever that growing edge is for each rider. It’s about being in nature, respecting the trails and community, all while pushing your body to a new level of fitness and improving bike handling skills.

Park City team results included:

• 2nd-place in the 8-person co-ed team category 
• 1st place for a 4-person co-ed team
• 1st place finish for a 4-person co-ed team 
• 1st place finish 4 person all male team (with only 3 riders!) 

The regular season for training starts June 3 with racing starting in August.