LIBERTY, NY — Legions of mountain bikers from grades six through 12 set off in waves to challenge the off-road trails of Liberty’s Walnut Mountain Park. It was the New York State National Interscholastic Cycling Association’s (NICA) Championship Race, and it brought down the curtain on the 2022 season.

The final event of the year was part of NICA’s program to involve students in the demanding, yet highly rewarding, sport of mountain bike competition across the United States.

It was the culmination of four previous events: Cobweb Shredder XC on April 10 in Thornwood; Timber Ridge XC on April 24 in Wawarsing; Miracle on the Mountain on May 15 in Oneonta; and on May 22, the Gurney Lane XC in Queensburg.

The overall scene resembled the old Civil War reenactments at Walnut Mountain, as the teams gathered in tribe-like groups, with family and friends out in force to take in the action.

But instead of musket volleys and the roar of cannons, spectators and competitors cheered on the action with shouts of youthful encouragement and the ringing of cowbells.

Near the end of the course, on a downhill through the woods, just before the trail evolved into a grassy meadow leading up to the finish line, a group of enterprising mountain bikers set up a two-tiered array of jungle hammocks.

First, a group of lads rooted for the girls as they sped past, and then it was the girls’ turn to take over as the boys’ events started. They raced past all the way to the finish line. 

So instead of imagining Confederate and Union soldiers emerging from the mists of time, several hundred racers, parents and spectators watched as the racers navigated the mountain bike trails, moving quickly from sun-dappled passages through quietly shade-shrouded bridges of the course, which ran three and a half to four miles long.

Keith Stephenson, a former Sullivan County Sheriff’s Office deputy, started a mountain bike program at the Home of the Bears while he served as Tri-Valley’s school resource officer.

“I started with five kids from that school, and then kids and parents from other schools reached out to get involved,” he recalled, adding that today many local districts participate on the composite team.

“A youth mountain bike league is an alternative sport to the traditional sports of baseball, softball and football,” he said. “It’s giving kids something to be involved in. Kids just don’t ride bikes like they did back in the ‘60s and ‘70s… it brings kids together. We’re a growing sport that focuses on increased activity and performance, and it’s inclusive for all kids of all abilities. It’s a great opportunity to get kids active outdoors and physically fit in fresh air. It’s a great thing.” 

Evan Laput is the father of 11-year old Phineas, a sixth  grader at George Ross Mackenzie Elementary School in Glen Spey.

“He’s getting a lot of time outdoors,” he said of his son’s fledgling experiences in mountain bike racing.

His take on the Catskill Claws?

“It’s a great organization, well organized and everyone is very, very friendly… It’s nice watching the kids help each other.”

Phineas added that he once attended a DARE class taught by Stephenson during his coach’s time as a deputy sheriff, and looking to his future in mountain biking, said, “I hope to go really far, and just keep going.” 

Lisa Walsh, the mother of Caitlin Walsh, the first-place finisher in the 8th grade girls’ race, described mountain biking as both an individual and a team sport.

“It’s a great sport… and it develops team spirit,” she said. “She likes the racing, being on the team and the other kids she’s meeting from around the state.”

For additional information about the Catskill Claws, visit their website www.ccmtb.org, email info@catskillclawsmtb.org, call 845/293-2781 or mail to Catskill Claws, PO Box 24, Rock Hill, NY 12775.

For information about the league, visit www.newyorkmtb.org.

For NICO, the national organization, visit www.nationalmtb.org.

For the rest of the story, results, more photos and an online look at the Catskill Claws Youth Mountain Bike Team, visit www.riverreporter.com/sports.