LAKEPORT, Calif. – By now, most people in Lake County have seen the charred remains of Boggs Mountain Demonstration Forest being hauled off to saw mills for salvage after the devastation done by the Valley fire. 

Along with the destroyed homes and properties, the county lost an invaluable recreation area – at least for a while.

The result has meant a challenging year for the high school mountain bike teams. It’s hard to train for races on trails when there are not many to ride and a wet winter hasn’t helped.

Despite this challenge, the Clear Lake and Kelseyville High School mountain bike teams are still going strong. In fact, they are excited to be racing alongside the newly formed Middletown High School team as well.

Our season opener was on March 6 at Fort Ord, a decommissioned US Army base turned National Monument just north of Monterey.

The NorCal league is so large – nearly 1,000 riders this year – it is split into two conferences competing over two days.

Saturday’s race encountered some serious wet weather but the rains ended and the skies parted for nearly perfect riding conditions for us on Sunday. 

The sandy soils drain well providing well-packed and smooth trails. Riders raced two to five laps, or 10 to 25 miles. Each lap was 4.5 miles with 600 feet of climbing. 

Although the teams had no one in the top five at Ft. Ord, standouts of the day included Kia Kohler (KHS-JV girls) who pulled off 12th out of 32.

Christian Lindsey and Justin Perez (KHS frosh boys) finished strong in the upper third of their field, managing to pull ahead despite starting at the rear of the pack of 63.

For a couple of the more experienced riders, it was a slower start.

Moving up to varsity means serious competition for Jeffrey Morton (CLHS), who realized how tough it is to crack into the top five, placing 12th of 25. 

Two of the Clear Lake riders also were fighting the terrible flu that went around the county, one going to the hospital in Salinas with strep.

Other riders competing included Solano Dominguez and Gabe Wind (CLHS JV boys), Tanner Morton (CLHS Frosh boys), Zoë Cramer (CLHS Sophomore girls) and Edina Balazs (KHS JV girls).

Edina, a foreign exchange student from Hungary, was super pumped just to be a part of the excitement that is NorCal High School racing by completing the challenging race.

With race No. 1 complete, eyes were opened, new goals made, and sites set on the next race March 19 at Granite Bay State Park on Folsom Lake. Unfortunately, fewer local athletes competed at this event. 

A 6.3-mile lap with 700 feet of climbing, Granite Bay is fast and flowy with granite outcroppings and a treacherous sand pit among oak trees and grasses. 

Racing between two to four laps, the local girls started strong.

Kia Koher (KHS JV girls) moved up finishing ninth in her class and newcomer Rainey Vanoven (CLHS Frosh girl) finished 10th. 

“It was so much fun,” said Rainey. “I can’t wait to do it again.” 

Things changed as the freshman boys got out.

Justin Perez ended up dropping out of the race after a mechanical with his back tire and Christian Lindsey (KHS) broke his chain halfway through his last lap, running in the last two miles with his bike to finish 20th. 

Fully recovered from the flu, Solano Dominguez (CLHS JV boys), made a big comeback finishing 11th out of a field of 71 and Gabe Wind (CLHS) finished 34th.

Jeffrey Morton stayed consistent in his four laps to maintain 12th position out of 30. 

The young riders returned to action again on April 9 back at Fort Ord (moved from Vacaville). For full details about the NorCal league, visit their Website at www.norcalmtb.org .

Like the teams on Facebook at Lake County High School Mountain Bike Teams.

Tami Cramer is coach and team director for the Clear Lake and Kelseyville High School mountain bike teams.