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News: California High School MTB Leagues Expand


Lastly, the leagues have gained the support of Morgan Hill-based bike manufacturer Specialized, which McInerny says will push the California-wide expansion into other states. "A month ago we had a coaches' conference in northern California, and we got a coach from Colorado and a coach from Arizona," he says. "We've been talking to people there, and new leagues could happen."

Another candidate for nationwide expansion is Portland, Ore., which McInerny says has the "right kind of big cycling scene" to grow an interscholastic league. Presently, junior leagues like the one in Durango, Colo., exist in some states, but McInerny says they're basically adult leagues that have been modified for younger riders. "They're not organized on a level we'd like to see, with schools having their own specific teams," he says. "Our model is to provide trained, paid coaches that are oriented towards junior riders, who understand their physiology and their mind-set."

With the completion of the SoCal league, California high school riders will have their first truly "state-wide" championship race series next year; as of last year, the culminating race drew teams only as far south as Monterey. Last year, the NorCal league had 425 registered riders on 40 school teams, which McInerny says has grown about 30 percent year-on-year since 2000. Of the SoCal league, he says: "We expected the first season to draw about 12 or 15 teams and 50 riders, but we're hearing that schools are holding interest meetings and getting 40 or 50 kids showing up." SoCal racecourses will include the 24 hours of Temecula course, as well as Big Bear and the Santa Ynez National course in Los Olivos.

But while the California leagues are looking prosperous now, McInerny warns that it has come at the cost of tremendous effort, time and money from enthusiasts all over the state – and to ensure a successful future it will require a sustained effort. "We really need people of all tiers to help out with these leagues," he says. "I hope they will. It's been one of the most rewarding things in my life."

If you can't make it to the SoCal fundraiser, you can still contribute to the league by bidding on a wide range of items on the league's silent auction fundraiser website. Among the items on the block are a Turner 19-inch 5-Spot, a Specialized Stumpjumper FSR Pro, a 2008 Trek Fuel EX 9.5, a CrankBrothers wheelset and pedals, several selections from Smith Optics, an eight-day cruise of the Mexican Riviera, tickets to UCLA and USC basketball games, an OBEY track bike, and a two-day getaway to Warner Springs Ranch. Bid here: SoCal HS Auction

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