Mountain Biking – Spring 2023

My name is Rayleigh and this is my first year racing on mountain bikes. I started riding last year with the Saratoga Shredders and feel in love with being in the woods on a bike. When I’m not riding my bike I enjoy drawing, swimming in the Hudson River, reading books, and hanging out with my friends. My goal for racing this year is to ride faster and stronger than I did before.

This is me, Rayleigh.

Race #1 Cobweb Shredder
@EF Academy NY

Date: April 23, 2023
Weather: Rainy & Lo 49°, High 63°
Course Information:
Terrain: Loose Dirt/Roots/Rock/Grass
Trail: 45% passing 55% Single Track
Elevation: 350 per lap
Mileage: MS 3.5 Mile/ HS 3.5
Start Terrain: Grass Field
Finish Terrain: Grassy Flat
Race Time: 10:30am

Rayleigh at the start of race #1.

Goal: Finish.
Time: 1:06:58:46
Place: 10th
Favorite Part: “I only fell off my bike twice!”
Post Race Thoughts: “Don’t give Mom your gloves, mud is slippery, and this is hard!”

Rayleigh on course
Rayleigh- post race #1 at the team tent

Race # 2 Mountain Hugger XC
@Walnut Mountain

Date: May 7, 2023
Weather: Sunny & Low 36°, High 61°
Terrain: Loose Mud/Wet Roots/Wet Rock/Soggy Grass
Trail: 60% Passing 40% Single Track
Elevation: 250 each lap
Lap Mileage: MS 3.0 Mile/ HS 4.0 Mile (?)
Start Terrain: Soggy Grass Field
Finish Terrain: Lose Dirt/UpHill
Race Time: 9:30am

Rayleigh at the start of Race #2

Goal: Place higher than Race #1.
Time: 57:15:54
Place: 7th (Goal achieved!)
Favorite Part: “That it wasn’t raining!”
Post Race Thoughts: “I liked this course! It was a lot of hill climbing, and there were some down hills that ended in a sharp turn, so I couldn’t fly down them as much as I would have liked. But it was very fun overall!”

Rayleigh on course Race #2
Rayleigh under the Race #2 Finish line arch, smiling

Race #3 Race the Farm
@Tilden Hill, NY

Haven’t raced yet… check back soon.

Race #4 Hyde Bay XC
@ Glimmerglass State Park

Haven’t raced yet… check back soon.

Race #5 NY Championship
McCauley Mountain

Haven’t raced yet… check back soon.