8 MONTEREY COUNTY WEEKLY APRIL 16-22, 2026 www.montereycountynow.com 831 There’s an iconic scene in most Star Wars movies, which shows pilots in the cockpit of a spaceship looking out from massive windows into the nothingness of the universe. But once they flip their ship into lightspeed, the stars around them form streaks of light, demonstrating just how impossibly fast they are sailing. It was kind of like that for the dozens of mountain bikers who traveled the Rec Trail from Marina to Monterey, albeit at much slower speeds—many in the dark of night and early morning. With only a headlight illuminating the path in front of her and shining off of the mist around her around 2am, Laney Graham says she felt like she was in a scene from Star Wars as she zoomed into the darkness. “It’s so much fun,” she says. Graham is one of the team captains for the Salinas High School Cowboys Mountain Bike Team, which embarked on a 24-hour ride of the Rec Trail from 6pm April 3 to 6pm April 4. With the exception of a pandemic-era break, the ride has become a tradition for the team since 2019. With tents and trailers camped out in the parking lot of the VA clinic on 9th Street in Marina, groups of riders took their turns riding in one-hour spurts along the trail in a relay-style event. Many took their bikes for a spin around the parking lot, checking that their rides were ready to go, while others helped set up chairs and other equipment as they prepared for the long haul. Head Coach Bob Agan says each group would be out on the trail multiple times of the night and day, attempting to get some sleep in their tents before the next leg of the relay. Groups ride for a half-hour south into Monterey, before returning back to Marina. Adult ride leaders also participated in each group, making sure no one was left behind or experiencing bike trouble. The event serves as a fundraiser for the growing team, which has about 40 members, including two from North Salinas High School. Students garner sponsors in the weeks leading up to the ride, who donate not only funds, but also food and other things required for the event. Those sponsors are thanked on a T-shirt designed by the students every year. Graham, a sophomore at Salinas High School who handles the team’s social media presence, says her goal was to stay awake for the entire 24 hours, something she has never done before. This was her second time participating in the event. She noted the serenity of the ride, only broken up by the sounds of barking sea lions. Perhaps most importantly, events such as this help bring the team closer together, who also take part in team-building exercises in between the rides. Graham notes that she is friends with students from all grades of high school. “This team is so close,” she says. “The connection would never be there without this sport.” Many of the students rode on their own bikes, while others rode on bikes obtained by the program thanks to community grants. It’s part of the team’s philosophy that all are welcome to join, Agan says. “It’s a sport that has no bench,” he says. “Everyone participates.” The team is also coming off of two recent races in the Northern California Interscholastic Cycling League, at Fort Ord National Monument on Feb. 28 and in La Grange on March 14. “It’s very supportive,” says Scott Johnson, an assistant coach. “Everybody cheers for everybody else.” The team practices at Fort Ord National Monument multiple days a week, with coaches riding in the front and back of the group. Team members learn about the importance of nutrition and how to treat injuries, among other life skills. All of the team members will also be volunteering at the Life Time Sea Otter Classic from April 17-19, taking on the various roles needed to bring the massive mountain biking festival to life. With the 24-hour ride, Assistant Coach Cathy Weidemann says it takes the students out of their comfort zone, and allows them to do something many have never done before: ride a bike in the middle of the night. “It’s an exciting challenge for them,” she says. Rolling Relay Salinas High’s mountain bike team rides the Rec Trail all night and day, with little rest in-between. By Erik Chalhoub “It’s a sport that has no bench.” TALES FROM THE AREA CODE DANIEL DREIFUSS As the sun sets on April 3, the Salinas High School Cowboys Mountain Bike Team rides the Rec Trail in Marina. Pictured, the first group of the evening returns to camp. Join Today! at montereychamber.com Seeing two nonprofit CEOs recognized among this year’s honorees at the 2026 Annual Awards Dinner speaks volumes about the Chamber’s inclusive approach and its clear understanding that nonprofits are an essential part of our business community. I appreciate the Chamber’s leadership and would encourage organizations that value collaboration and community to be part of its work. WHAT OUR MEMBERS ARE SAYING: Dan Baldwin President/CEO Community Foundation for Monterey County
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