Trip Recap: Virgin, Utah
Every year, our mountain bike team returns to the dusty red desert in Virgin, Utah to ride some iconic and terrifying lines. Traveling to the same location year after year allows our students to see their progress and growth. Read student athlete Kaelah, who just finished her junior year, reflect on her progress throughout the trip and over the years.
“I had been looking forward to this trip since we came home from Utah last year, and it did not disappoint. That first trip opened my eyes to a whole new world of mountain biking, and it has stuck with me ever since. We drove through the night to get there and headed straight to our Airbnb. It was a super nice place and made for an awesome home base for the trip. The first few days were all about getting used to the terrain again and revisiting the spots we rode last year. Right away, I was able to tick off some of the features that had scared me the most the year before. That felt really good and gave me confidence early on. After that, I started to get a clearer idea of what I wanted to accomplish during this trip and set some new goals for myself.
“As the trip went on, we started riding new zones, and it felt like every day I was pushing myself out of my comfort zone. A lot of the riding was intimidating at first, but I kept working through it and trying new things. One of the biggest highlights of the trip was going back to a zone we rode last year that has a big trick jump. The year before, I was honestly scared to even watch people hit it. This year was completely different. Over the two days we spent there, I worked my way up to hitting the jump, started doing tricks on it, and even landed a trick I had never done to dirt before. That was a huge moment for me, and definitely the highlight of the trip. Looking back and comparing how I felt last year to this year really showed me how much I’ve progressed.
“Outside of riding, we also had a really good routine going. Most days, one of the athletes would pick a place to eat, which made things fun and gave everyone a chance to choose. We ended up trying a lot of really good food, and it felt like everyone was happy with how that worked.
“Another thing that stood out to me was the team dynamic. Everyone was encouraging each other, pushing one another to try new things, and celebrating each other’s progress. The coaches were super supportive the entire time, and it created a really positive environment. It made it a lot easier to step outside my comfort zone knowing I had that support.
“We finished off the trip with the drive home, which went smoothly and gave me some time to reflect on everything. Overall, this trip was an amazing learning experience. I pushed my limits, built confidence, and improved my riding in ways I’m really proud of. It also reminded me how important it is to support the people around you and be part of a strong team environment. I’m really grateful for the opportunity to go on this trip and for everyone who helped make it happen.”
Follow Kaelah’s journey on Instagram.
