NOVATO, CA — The trails at Stafford Lake Park were busy early May as Novato’s competitive student mountain biking team kicked off a landmark season.
For the first time in the program’s history, the team planned to host two NorCal Mountain Bike Races in a single season, one which took place on May 3, and another, April 26, that was canceled due to rain.
The team, known as Marin Composite, is a nonprofit organization independent of the local school system, serves nearly two dozen student-athletes from across the Novato community. While the program is currently composed mostly of San Marin High School students, leadership is actively working to recruit riders from Novato High to create a truly city-wide squad.
Operating for roughly 15 years, the program has evolved from a small startup to a vital community fixture. Beyond the competition, the team focuses on promoting health, a love for the outdoors, and lifelong skills.
“Watching these kids grow into young adults, both on and off the bike, has been the best part,” team co-director Rob D'Ambrosia told Patch. “They learn how to recalibrate what they think is possible, pushing themselves beyond what they thought they could do. These are lessons that transcend biking”.
Parent and volunteer coach Robert Atkinson echoed this sentiment, noting the sport’s ability to engage students who might not find a home in traditional school sports.
“Mountain biking has given my son the opportunity to be part of a team when he otherwise would not have joined any of the sports offered at his high school,” Atkinson told Patch.
For the riders, the team offers a unique blend of high-intensity racing and personal exploration. Andrew D’Ambrosia, a 17-year-old junior, credits the team with changing his perspective on his hometown.
“Before joining the team I never really appreciated the great trail system that Marin has and how much it has taught me about the area,” he told Patch.
Teammate Will Woods, a senior, appreciates the camaraderie and the technical nature of the sport.
“I am looking forward to racing on trails that I have helped build,” Woods told Patch. “It is cool to see the process of how it all comes together for a race”.
Other students, like senior Carter Wielt, were simply looking forward to the rare opportunity of a home advantage.
“I’m looking forward to sleeping in my own bed the night before the upcoming home races,” Wielt joked, “it’s just better than anywhere else”.
While the Novato team is smaller than Marin powerhouses like Redwood or Tamalpais, they have a secret weapon: Stafford Lake Bike Park. The park, a destination for riders across Northern California, serves as the backdrop for the team's organized practices three days a week during the January-to-May season.
As the team prepares to face dozens of squads from across Northern California, the focus remains on the community they've built.
“If we can send them forward with confidence, strong connections, and a genuine love for a healthy, lifelong activity, that’s a win in my book,” D’Ambrosia said.
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