MV Bicycle Team Pedals Through Its First Season

By NICK YAMASHITA

The Progress

The Moapa Valley Bicycle Team ended its first season last month with five boys placing in the top 5 for the overall points leaders in their respective categories. Coach Raegan Whipple released the final season results last week.

The Moapa Valley Composite Team started its season at the end of February. The team hosted its official first race, called The Moapa Valley Madnesson March 6 at the Logandale Bike Trails.

The Logandale Bike Trails are located at the north end of the valley, in the large, open desert area stretching northwest from Bowman Reservoir.

The racing team competed in the Nevada Interscholastic Cycling League in the Southern Nevada region.
“We did not advertise this year as we had 20 boys and even had to turn some away due to the policies of the league having a certain number of licensed coaches per kid,” said Coach Whipple. “We did not have enough coaches to take more kids on the team.”

To be a licensed coach, an online certification must be completed and an FBI Background Check is performed.

“This was our biggest challenge this year is getting coaches and certifications done,” said Whipple. “It will be a goal to get more certified coaches for next season.”

All 20 team members were of middle and high school ages. “We competed in a mountain biking class more dedicated to endurance and skills ability,” Whipple said. “They do not allow any jumps or wheelies and no E-Bikes. It is more of a cross country style of racing. If your tires leave the ground, you may get disqualified.”

The bikes used in this sport are not the usual bicycles one might purchase in a big box store, Whipple explained. Those bicycles would not make the cut for the competitions.

“You need a bicycle that will be more capable of handling the race and competition, better safety measures and accessories, and better qualit,” Whipple said.

The league does have registration fees which very supportive parents and sponsors helped cover. Steve Bennett, a mountain biking enthusiast himself and the biggest of these sponsors, made it possible for the team to have jerseys.

Team members who placed in the overall points for their categories are the following: CJ Anderson – 1st Place in JV1 Category; Hans Whipple – 2nd Place in JV2 Category; Morris Wolfley – 3rd Place in 7th Grade Category; Knox Whipple – 5th Place in 7th Grade Category; and Lincoln Evans 5th Place in Freshman Category.

“All of them progressed during the season, even those who did not place in the top of their categories,” said Whipple. “We, the coaches, are extremely proud of all of them.”

The coaches included Don Whipple, Raegan Whipple, Mark Witsken, Willie Frehner, Brandon McMurtrey, Sam Aikele, Justin Evans, Jeremy Barnes, and Rob Stephenson.

For more information on the Moapa Valley Composite Bike Team contact Don or Raegan Whipple by email at spinhkr@gmail.com.