YOUNG RIDERS ENJOYING MOUNTAIN BIKING TEAM
CHICO >> Kevin Wilson would often use his free time to ride his mountain bike through the trails of upper Bidwell Park.
What began as leisurely rides on his own turned into a serious hobby for the freshman at Pleasant Valley High School.
Wilson, who has only been mountain biking for two years, joined the North State Composite Mountain Bike team a year and a half ago.
“I thought this would be fun to join,” Wilson said. “I’m keeping up with all my friends. I was kind of fast, now I’m pretty fast. I just want to get faster in the group.”
In its three years of existence, the number of members for North State Composite Mountain has continued to rise.
North State Composite, a mountain bike team featuring Butte County students in sixth through 12th grade, is currently hovering around 70 members. The team competes in races throughout Northern California.
“It’s the team sport for non-competitive kids. You can be as competitive as you want, but it’s still an individual thing,” said head coach Dan Mauldin. “It’s something that challenges them in a way they’re not used to. They get to learn and there is some freedom out here.”
Two to three times a week, the team meets at the pump track at Wildwood Park. Then from there, the team is broken up into smaller groups and hits the trails in a staggered fashion. Some kids are advanced riders, while others may be beginners.
Ramona McCreary is in her first season with North State Composite. She joined the team after a friend convinced her to try it out.
“When you progress, it’s the best feeling ever. Once you’re finally able to make something, you’re so excited and pumped. You make it again — it’s the best feeling,” McCreary said. “It’s a way to push myself, and it’s super enjoyable.”
McCreary said her teammates have been motivating her.
“It’s a fun group to ride with. Everybody is super welcoming. If you can’t make something, they just want to help you,” McCreary said. “It’s really wonderful.”
Jacob Fairbanks-Espinoza, a junior at Chico High, has been mountain biking for six years. Fairbanks-Espinoza was introduced to the sport by professional mountain biker Tim Olsen. Olsen is from Chico.
“I was doing leisure rides with friends then I found out about (North State Composite). I’ve been hooked ever since,” Fairbanks-Espinoza said. “I love the community. It’s super tight-knit.”
Joe Chester, in his second year on the team, joined after hearing about North State Composite from Fairbanks-Espinoza. Chester is also a junior at Chico High.
“It’s been great. Everyone is super supporting,” Chester said. “You always have a friend to ride with.”
In addition to competitions, the goal of the team is to help grow the sport of mountain biking, Mauldin said. Over the past weekend, North State Composite volunteered and did trail work at Mount Hough in Quincy. Maulding said they’re also teaching the riders etiquette when on the trails.
Mauldin said he’s only received two negative comments from the community about the team.
“We’re trying to train the next generation of polite cyclists,” Mauldin said. “I’ve gotten six unasked for positive comments about how good the kids were being. That just tells you how good these kids are being right now.”