With only three seasons under their belt, the Pahrump Valley MTB club has seen successful establishment and growth under the dedicated leadership of Coach Andrew Norton. This initiative brings an exciting and challenging sport to the students of Pahrump, providing them with opportunities for physical endurance, personal growth, and strong community bonds.
The inaugural season of the mountain biking club began in the 2021-2022 school year. Despite a modest start with only five riders, the team faced numerous challenges such as bike quality, late registration, and first-year uncertainties. Coach Norton, new to coaching mountain biking, reflects on the initial struggles, “Our first year was tough, but it was a learning experience for all of us.”
In its second year, the club saw significant improvement, growing to include 10-12 riders and achieving third place overall in the Southern Nevada League. This success was largely attributed to the strong participation of female riders. “Having a good number of female riders really boosted our overall points,” says Norton. Despite efforts to recruit more female participants, the most recent season saw a decline, with the team consisting of 15 male and three female riders.
The club is inclusive, welcoming students from 6th to 12th grade, including those not enrolled in Nye schools. Participants come from various educational backgrounds such as CCA, homeschooling, and pathways programs. The racing season typically includes five races from late February to early May, held in diverse locations like Moapa Valley, Boulder City, Beatty, Caliente, and Kingman. These events often turn into family outings, with many families camping overnight in tents or RVs, creating a strong team and family atmosphere.
Scoring in mountain biking is similar to wrestling or cross-country, with individual rewards and placings contributing to overall team points. “The more individuals succeed, the more the team will succeed,” explains Norton. To encourage participation, the club will host Saturday fun rides starting in September. These rides are open to anyone interested in mountain biking and provide an opportunity to meet the coaches, ask questions, and experience the sport firsthand.
The practice season begins after the Christmas break, with sessions currently scheduled for Wednesday nights and Saturday mornings. For more information, interested individuals can visit the club’s Facebook group, “Pahrump Valley MTB,” where coaches respond to questions, share photos, and post updates on upcoming events.
Mountain biking is recognized as one of the most challenging sports offered at PVHS. “This is the hardest sport we have to offer here in Pahrump,” says Norton, comparing it to wrestling, cross-country, and football. Despite its challenges, mountain biking is incredibly rewarding. “If kids stick with it, they will realize they can do hard things,” he adds. The sport builds resilience and confidence as students tackle tough courses, climb elevations, and push through fatigue. The sense of accomplishment and the support from coaches and parents create genuine, unforgettable smiles.
The club aims to grow and welcomes more students and parents to get involved. “We would love to grow this more, and we just need parents to reach out, or kids willing to give it a go, no matter how hard it seems at first,” says Norton. The camaraderie among participants, the encouragement from peers, and the dedication of parents and coaches make mountain biking a unique and enriching experience.
For more information or to get involved, questions can be directed to the club’s Facebook group or emailed to pahrumpvalleymtb@gmail.com. The Pahrump Valley MTB club looks forward to an exciting future and the continued development of its riders.
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Great job. Fun to read