ROUGH RIDERS Catskill Claws members take practice runs on bike paths marked out on terrain at Walnut Mountain Park in Liberty. The team accepts bikers in sixth through twelfth grades. Aidan Dusenbury-Dalto photo
Pedal power rules for these young bikers
Catskill Claws rides, races are ‘super fun!’
By Aidan Dusenbury-Dalto | Manor Ink
CAREENING COURSE Bikers hone their riding skills in preparation for upcoming races, including one on Walnut Mountain on June 5. Aidan Dusenbury-Dalto photo
Liberty, NY – What’s your favorite part about summer? Maybe warm temps, blue skies, lush greenery and getting outside for fun and exercise?
Ask the kids on the Catskill Claws team and their answer is all of these combined: mountain biking! Mountain biking is a sport in which bicycles are ridden off-road over rough and challenging terrain, usually with a special type of rugged bike.
Manor Ink recently spoke with Keith Stephenson, coach of the Catskill Claws bikers. His goal for the team is to provide a unique and fun activity for local kids in grades six through twelve. The team practices every Saturday throughout the fall and spring, with various competitive races against over 25 other regional youth mountain biking groups.
Ask kids about their favorite part of riding with the Catskill Claws, and their recurring answer? “The camaraderie!”
SHARING EXCITEMENT Catskill Claws coaches Keith Stephenson and Angela Petrigliano provide guidance and advice for team members. Aidan Dusenbury-Dalto photo
“I’m good friends with a lot of people on the team. So it’s always a good time,”said Ryan Walsh.” Phineas Laput added, “It’s just super fun. And when I ride it’s very exhilarating.” When asked about her racing strategy, Caitlin Walsh said, “I strive to keep myself at a good pace, because you have to do that if you start out super fast. Otherwise, you get too tired.” Jasper Hance recalled his most challenging race, a championship held at Wyndham Mountain, that was uphill all the way.
The length and difficulty of mountain biking races varies by age groups. A high school level course might have laps of three or four miles, with a change in elevation of 300 to 400 feet each lap. Senior riders will do several laps; junior riders fewer. Rides are usually capped at 90 minutes. Courses for middle schoolers are shorter with less elevation changes, and are capped at 60 minutes.
Stephenson and Angela Petrigliano share coaching duties and love helping Sullivan County teens discover the excitement of mountain biking. The Claws’ next race is on Sunday, June 5, at Walnut Mountain in Liberty (rain date is June 12).