COLORADO SPRINGS — Some of the top riders in the sport of mountain bike racing are arriving in Colorado Springs this week for the Pikes Peak APEX race series.
KOAA has invited and is sponsoring some of the best local high school racers to take on the three days of courses.
“I'm a little bit nervous about racing three days in a row. But I think I'm okay at endurance, like I do a lot of it. So it should be all right. And I'm just really excited,” said Air Academy High School Junior, Kylie Moerk.
Moerk is the single young woman on the team of four.
She holds her own with the young men.
She also says there are fewer women in the sports and finds connections are quick when she meets up with other women who mountain bike.
“It kind of makes it so that when you find other girls that ride, you're really good friends with them. Like, especially at like high school league races.”
At the APEX she will be on course with some pro level riders who are very aggressive and fast.
She said, “It's definitely intimidating because a lot of the people that do this race are just really, really good.”
There is also an opportunity she sees for pushing her riding skills and getting better.
“You get a sense of accomplishment with racing, like older and faster people. And, especially if you do somewhat well, then you're like, Okay, I can almost hang with them.”
The Pikes Peak APEX races happen June 7-9, 2024.
Click here to learn more.
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