Twelve-year-old Grace Finley did not know if she could finish the race.

Her legs burned and her lungs screamed for relief as she peddled. As she entered the “feed zone” part of the race, Grace felt like she was either going “throw up or pass out.” Much like a runner, the Sewickley sixth grader and first-year competitive mountain biker had hit the infamous wall — she was exhausted, physically and mentally.

“I started drinking the water [coach] gave me and I was breathing so heavy that the water went down the wrong pie and I started coughing a whole bunch,” Grace said.

But the student-athlete did not quit. With the rest of the team cheering her on, Grace took first place.

In her first year as a competitive mountain cyclist, she finished first in all of her races.

The Pittsburgh North team, in just its second season, finished fourth out of 63 other teams in Western Pennsylvania for the season.

Coach Nicholas Troiani said he credits this season’s success to the bond the kids developed this season.

“Everyone was cheering everyone at every race,” said Troiani. “It was mind-blowing to watch.”

The Pittsburgh North team is one of the local National Interscholastic Cycling Association teams that competes across Pennsylvania. The season, which started July 1 and ran through the fall, divides student-athletes up between age groups and gender to compete in courses sanctioned by the NICA throughout the state.

A typical race for sixth through eighth graders is about six miles, while high school students race for eight to 20 miles, depending on the course.

Sewickley seventh grader Michael Fuener, 12, competes in the middle school division. He said the races are more than just a physical testament.

“At a certain point, it comes down to how bad are you willing to feel by the end,” Michael said. “And how hard you’re willing to push yourself. A lot of it is mental.”

The non-traditional sport of competitive mountain bike racing has seen a surge in popularity — mostly among the youth — in the past decade, according to a report by the Sports and Fitness Industry Association. Since 2013, there has been a nearly 3% increase year-over-year in the 18 and under demographic.

Youth Mountain bike sales have risen 22% since 2020, according to Market Research Future.

The increase in popularity of competitive mountain bike racing is a trend Troiani has seen with his team as well.

“We have the potential to explode as a team,” Troiani said. “We went from 11 riders last year to 28 riders this year, and I’m sure we’re going to grow.”

Coach Troiani said he thinks the sport has grown in popularity because it allows families to participate together.

“You know it’s one thing to go a basketball game and watch your kid play basketball,” Troiani said. “But the fact that my daughter can come home from school and be like, ‘Hey Dad let’s go for a bike ride,’ and go ride bikes in the woods for two hours. I have three girls and we all ride. (It’s) a cool sport to be able to do with all your children.”

Troiani and the other volunteer coaches hold practice twice a week, where they work on skills to help their cyclists improve, such as pacing and different strategies whether the kids are going uphill, downhill or riding on the flats.

“The coaches and I really try to focus on getting the kids out for a long ride,” Troiani said. “Because as much as we can teach them skills on the flats, they’re going to learn those skills riding at pace with the coaches.”

However, one thing Troiani cannot coach is team spirit.

“I have to give all the credit to the camaraderie between the kids,” Troiani said. “What the kids formulated that we didn’t do was the camaraderie and cheering each other on. Whenever they’re feeling low, cheering them back up and giving them the confidence they need. As much as you can say a coach helps you with that, that comes from the kids.”

While supporting teammates can provide the extra incentive, the student-athletes need to push their minds and bodies across the finish line, according to Mia Troiani, 12.

“It kind of, not forces you to push, but gives you that extra momentum you need to get yourself where you want to be,” Mia said. “I love it. It’s one of the best parts of racing when you hear your teammates or coaches cheering your name.”

Hearing the support from their teammates also helps keep things in perspective for Thomas Fuener, 16.

“[The cheering] reminds you that it’s more than just a race,” Thomas said. “You’re also mountain biking, which is fun, and it reminds you that this is supposed to be fun and not just a suffer-fest.”

Competitive mountain bike racing has taught Mia about self-determination.

“I learned how hard I could push myself,” Mia said. “I learned that as much as it’s the physical game, it’s a mental one too. Once you get out of your head, you can push yourself through it.”

Despite riding the bike alone, and often competing against other members of his team on race day, Thomas, who also competitively swims, finds mountain cycling to be a team sport.

“It’s a more community-driven sport in comparison to other sports I’ve done,” Thomas said. “Especially with NICA and the Pittsburgh North in particular. It’s a super tonight knit community with a lot of helpful people who are willing to fix your bike, lend you parts and give you encouragement and tips.”

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