Cross-country mountain bike racing is intense in New Hampshire, and the Dublin School Nordic Center is fast becoming a hub for both local riders and high school racers. With almost six miles of mostly machine-built single track, the Dublin School trails system is technical at times, flowy at times and always on a hill, making them some of the most challenging and fun of the Monadnock region.
This year’s Dublin School mountain bike team included 17 riders from all over the United States and a wide range of experience. The team wrapped up their competitive season last week, with the highlight being their home race on Oct. 26, which ended with Dublin winning a top 10 finish and two podium finishes. Out of 120 racers, senior Kemp Wagenbach placed 10th in the Boys’ A race, Will Putnam placed first in the Boys’ B race and Elias Sieswerda placed first in the Boys’ C race.
“I was happy to get two first-place podiums in the race,” said head coach Jesse Jackson. “Elias and Will had great races! I have been talking with our riders about the home course advantage, and in a sport like mountain biking that takes on a very real meaning. We train to be familiar with every nook and cranny, every line on the course, and our team capitalized on knowing how to hit the muddy sections with speed and accuracy. The exciting part is that these two riders are only in the ninth and 10th grade, so the future of Dublin mountain biking is looking very promising!”
The Nordic Center is building a new MTB skills park, thanks to a grant from the Dublin Community Foundation and in partnership with Dublin XC, a local ski club based out of the center that is expanding its programming to include mountain biking. One of the first new programs to use the park will be an all-girls summer mountain biking program starting in 2023.
The Nordic Center is open to the public for biking, running and skiing.
For information about Dublin School athletics, contact Brooks Johnson at bjohnson@dublinschool.org. For information about the Dublin Nordic Center, email center director Lisa Bates lbates@dublinschool.org.