Catawba Ridge Riders!
Thank you for making the inaugural year of Catawba Ridge Riders a success. Eric and I are grateful for all the help and support we received from all of you. If you weren’t at our end of season party last week, here are some thoughts we shared.
First and foremost we had an amazing first year. Our student-athletes, numbering 20+ at any given practice, weathered cold outdoor night time mountain bike drill sessions, calisthenics, indoor circuit training workouts, BMX Track training, all to ensure readiness for big group mountain bike rides and mountain bike racing. This training paid off handsomely. From beginner to advanced level riders, gains were made in skills and fitness.
Spring training consisted of dozens of 1.5 hour plus Tues/Thurs evening rides at the Greenway and Riverwalk trails. Thank goodness, as it always seemed to rain on the weekend this year. These afternoon practices are as important a part of our program as the racing. Fitness improved and team riding & skill sessions helped everyone step up their game. After a winter of preparing for mountain biking it was just great to just do it!
Last but not least, the racing. For those inclined, this was a season of team and personal, mountain bike racing firsts. Many raced for the first time. This is a huge deal. Race series the team participated in include Charlotte Winter Short Track Series, Blue-Star Blitz, and NCICL NICA Youth Series. The NICA events were a focus. As many as 27 of our races entered a single race as a team. Pre-race anxiety and crowded, competitive, multi-class races ensured challenges for all our riders. Some classes had as many as 60 riders in a single grade! Virtually all our riders stepped up and at least tried one race. Others did multiple races and demonstrated improvement in class positions, and course times. Some of our top riders engaged the fastest riders in the NICA league for action packed racing. Catawba Ridge Riders held the Leaders jersey, and one the series, in three NCICL Classes. Not bad for a first year team Hats off to the coaches too! Some fun race stats below. Congratulations to all who enjoyed the racing.
Our goal as a team is to promote youth mountain biking riding and racing. Unlike some “team” sports, our individual student-athletes will take from this experience different types of personal growth experiences on and off the bike. Whether learning simply be a better rider, excel as a racer, be pushed by team challenges – progression is the goal. Coaching development is also a priority for Catawba Ridge Riders. Big thanks to all the our volunteer coaches in making this happen. Without you this team would not have succeeded in it’s goal of having fun riding. Big shout out to our sponsor listed below. Parents thanks for your support in having the kids at races with working bikes. We know from personal experience that is it’s own challenge.
It is our sincerest hope you enjoyed the ‘18-’19 season. Off-season for Catawba Ridge Riders currently runs from June to October ‘19. We’ll stay in touch via Spond should somebody want to call a ride, or have Eric and I post an event of mutual interest.
Team profile:
Based in Fort Mill
Serving York County
35 official team members grades 6-12 (only)
12 coaches
Practice Venues: CRH Cycling Facilities & ASCG Trails
Season:
November to June
Shifting to July to November in 2020
Sponsors:
American Fence
Continental Tires
B-Line Energy
Kingsmen Software
Special Thanks to:
City of Rock Hill Parks and Recreation
Anne Close Springs Greenway
Racing summary:
Winter Short Track 2019
Catawba Ridge Riders 2nd place team out of 40 entered from all around Charlotte. Competed against adult teams. Team threw party with the cash price. Several podiums and a class championship were secured by our student-athletes.
Blue Star Blitz
The team dominated all the junior podim positions! Truly hometown team NICA NC Interscholastic Cycling League:
1st year team
HS team finished 8th out of 37 (did not count team with 0 points) –
Deep Freshman classes ; 70+ at Fisher Farm!
All students started season seeded in the back; worked our way through the pack
literally
MS team finished tied for 3rd in points out of 38
This was an amazing performance; MS Heavy League
94 total races run by the 30 different racers!
30 racers with an official score on at least 1 race
Again, many 1st time racers..
9 racers did 5 races;
6 racers did 4 races;
3 racers placed 1st in their class for the season
All earned their 1st place finish on the last race – way to go.
Alexandra C – MS A
Miranda L – 7th
Declan B – 8th
3 racers finished on the podium for the season
Regina G – JV2,
Sydney I – Freshman Girls
Ben M – 6th boys