20 MONTEREY COUNTY WEEKLY APRIL 18-24, 2024 www.montereycountyweekly.com you’re slowing down, the girls I race with will give you positive words,” she points out. “It keeps you going.” Mountain bike racing is different from road racing. There are few smooth surfaces, there is no peloton and little is to be gained from drafting. The demands of the terrain are different, as well. To pass another rider on a narrow track requires coopatition. It’s a word coined by auto racing driver Darrell Waltrip to describe the combination of cooperation and competitiveness necessary between two racers to keep it challenging but also safe. Diana Rivera, a junior, first became interested in the sport because her brother was on the Salinas team. The bonding that takes place hooked her. “I really like the sense of community,” she says. “It’s not who won, but that you finish.” Of course, points are awarded based upon team and individual performance during each event. And riders want a podium finish. But athletes of different levels are on each roster. As they ride, coaches and ride leaders are alongside to encourage and to teach, particularly during practice. “That’s what is unique about our sport,” Agan observes. “We do what the kids do—ride along with them.” “The coaching happens as we ride,” Eisner adds. “It takes all of us.” One of the changes both coaches have witnessed over the years is in the composition of the teams. Morillo Vega may not have been keen to ride competitively when she was a freshman. She was inspired, however, by a revelation. “My aunt told me I had to try,” Morillo Vega recalls. “She said, ‘Back in my day there were barely any girls on the team.’” In February at East Garrison, 36 Cowboys took part in the races. Of these, 12 were girls. Morillo Vega estimates that at any one event, just over 20 percent of participants are female. She and Rivera are both GRiT Ambassadors. The acronym means Girls Riding Together, a NICA program developed to encourage more girls to become involved in cycling. “Our goal is 25 percent by 2025,” Rivera says. Agan has noticed the difference. Not only are there more students taking part, the talent level is on the rise. Former NorCal riders are now competing in the World MTB series and in international events like the Tour de France. But he points to an even bigger transformation. “There is a huge amount of diversity with kids from all backgrounds and ability levels riding and competing,” he points out. In fact, one of the best known and most admired professional riders is world mountain bike and cross country champion Kate Courtney, who was born in Marin County, has ties to the area and often races at the Life Time Sea Otter Classic. Both Morillo Vega and Rivera single Courtney out as an inspiration—Rivera for the champion’s outreach to young women and Morillo Vega for her attitude. “She’s always positive,” the Cowboys captain says. “She keeps it real.” At the moment, Salinas is the only school team in Monterey County. There is, however, a composite squad— the Monterey Bay Lightfighters—made up of individual riders from schools across the Monterey Peninsula. For the season opener in February, the Lightfighters fielded 14 riders. Of these, six are from Monterey High School. Mountain bike racing is a growing sport. On the high school level it is lauded for the sense of community that develops and the confidence it inspires. And as a social studies teacher at Salinas High, Agan recognizes another benefit for students who might not be interested in wrestling, soccer or other activities. “Today I collected grade checks,” he says before disappearing toward a Fort Ord trail with the rest of the team. “That’s a good thing high school sports does.” Salinas’ Remy Sanchez, right, pedals alongside Ava Neta of Berkeley during the JV2 Boys D1 competition on the grounds of the old Fort Ord. DANIEL DREIFUSS The BIKE Issue EVENT DETAILS Luggage expert Annslie Bigbee shares her packing tips and tricks to achieve lighter, easier and smarter business and leisure travels. Get to know packing expert ANNSLIE BIGBEE PACK LIKE A PRO PLEASE JOIN US FOR A SPECIAL EVENT Learn tips and techniques to efficient packing and selecting the perfect bags for your needs, whether it’s carry-on or checked luggage, all while connecting with fellow travelers. RSVP, Call 831-622-7500 Saturday April 27 11:30 Tops n Travel 219 Crossroads Blvd, Tops n Travel Saturday, April 27 • 11:30am RSVP, Call 831-622-7500 219 Crossroads Blvd, Carmel 2020 INFORMATIONAL SESSIONS AND INTERVIEWS TO BE HELD AT 2:00 PM AT THESE LOCATIONS THE SUPERIOR COURT URGES YOU TO PARTICIPATE IN IMPROVING YOUR LOCAL GOVERNMENT! Greenfield Tuesday May 12 Monterey Wednesday May 13 www.monterey.courts.ca.gov/grandjury (831) 775-5400 Extension 3014 Salinas Thursday May 14 Monterey Courthouse May 8 at 2:00 pm Salinas Courthouse May 9 at 2:00 pm King City Courthouse May 10 at 10:30 am www.monterey.courts.ca.gov/general-information/grand-jury (831) 775-5400 Extension 3014 The 2024–2025 Civil Grand Jury Needs You! 2024 Informational session AND INTERVIEWS TO BE HELD AT THESE LOCATIONS
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