On the outskirts of Sierra Vista at Fort Huachuca, the Arizona Cycling Association (ACA) 2023 season came to a close. The ACA is home to over 1,000 athletes and 71 teams, including the Tempe Union Composite team. Being a composite team, the members who make up the Tempe Union Composite (TUC) team come from High Schools and Middle Schools all around the Tempe area, including Mountain Point, Connolly Middle School, and other Tempe union schools.
When asked what his favorite moment of the season was, Holden Weinburg, a 6th grader at Aspire Academy at Connolly Middle School, said “[he] liked it when [they] were at Hawes and [they] all were doing jumps on the trail Big Sister…[He] was nervous at the first [race], but it was fun.” Another member of the team, seventh grader Damon Bowers from Kyrene del Pueblo Middle School, said “[his] favorite moment of the season was when [he] finished [his] first race, and realized [he loves] mountain biking and wanted to keep doing it.” While a relatively small team compared to some others, the Tempe Union Composite team did great, with several riders getting pole positions (top 5) in several races, including the Championship.
Tempe Union Composite is a Mountain Biking team for anyone: beginners, skilled experts, and those whose school may not have a team, like Horizon Honors Secondary School. The Arizona Cycling Association and the Tempe Union team also work hard to get middle and high school-aged girls to ride, often supporting programs like Pedal girl, pedal. While for some, mountain biking may just be another form of exercise, for others, mountain biking is a relief from the chaos of the day. NPR reports that mountain biking can help with the mental health of middle school-aged kids. It helps relieve stress, makes kids more happy, and engages all parts of the brain. When asked what advice he would give to students thinking about joining, Julio Razos said, “Something I would say to other people who are thinking about joining is always come with a positive attitude. And even if you think biking isn’t the right thing for you, give it a try!”
Likewise, Holden Weinburg said “[he] would tell them to expect to make new friends, learn mountain biking skills, [and] get a lot of exercise.” Damon said that he liked Tempe Union Composite because, “it feels like everyone belongs, everyone fits in, and there was always something for everyone to do despite their skill level.”
Skilled rider or new beginner, Horizon Eagle or Mountain Pointe Lion, 6th grader or senior, the Tempe Union Composite team is a team for anyone who wishes to hit the trails. For more information, visit tempeunionmtb.org
