Barbara Lawlor, Nederland. The mountain bikers donned their riding jerseys, their helmets and took off into the aspen leaf layered trails of Mud Lake, warming up before the final ride of the season.

As the riders prepared for the start, Nederland Middle Senior High School principal Adam Fels fired up the grill knowing that the seventh and eighth graders would be hungry after their 4-mile trek up and down the hills around the lake.

Last Wednesday, September 30, the NMSHS Development Team celebrated their last ride of the season.

NMSHS assistant principal and Nederland Mountain Bike Development Team coach Greg Guevera  says the inaugural season for the team was a huge success.

“The 7th and 8th graders pedaled many many miles over the 11-week season and it was fun to watch their skills and endurance improve.  I had a great time coaching and the students had a great time riding.”

This year’s eighth graders will be participating in next year’s Colorado Youth Cycling League.

Last week on September 25th   the Development Team traveled to a high school race in Eagle. Riders were able watch the high school racers, get a sense of what the races are like and even ride to course.

After riding the course the team had a BBQ and hung out with other teams from around the state.

Last Wednesday, the bicyclists had their own timed rally, getting a feel for the start, the ride, the finish with their teammates. And then they had burgers.

Guevara says, “Nederland is such a great place for mountain biking and it is great to have our students on the trails around town.  I think this sport will really take off at our school.”

Development team individual times:

Jacob Delong, 24:58.8

Quinn Boutot, 26:29.1

Maxwell Lynch, 27:25.2

Oliver Vernon, 28:27.9

Hunter Harless, 30:07.1

Ariana Soto, 33:39.7

Michael Crapsey, 34:20.0

Jose Garcia Upczak, 36:36.7

Tommy Shankey: 36.48.4

Parker Newby, 36:50.6

Hatcher Edmondson, 41:08.6

Matthew McGregor, 43:20.7