Cycle Sports Keeping Mountain Biking Cool

Cycle Sports Keeping Mountain Biking Cool
A day on the bike trails leads to fun for three local boys.

By Kelly Utic

Traditional youth sports offered in this area have always been soccer, baseball and basketball. But for a few Scotts Valley thrill-seeking eighth-graders, mountain biking is their sport of choice.

Typically, mountain bikers are “Regular Joes” with a taste for action outdoors. Last week, local Cycle Sport bike shop owner, Andrew Cavaletto, escorted three boys, Mitchell, Dillon and Ben, on an adventurous mountain bike ride on the trails near UC Santa Cruz.

“I went along with the boys to show them the area and offer technical assistance right here in our own backyard," Cavaletto said. "I was blown away by the off-road skill level they already had. These boys are gnarly! They climbed, plowed through mud and water, and rode some very technical downhill without hesitation.”

Mitchell had nothing but great things to say about Cavaletto and the bike-ride experience.

“We are better bikers and motivated more than ever to keep riding, thanks to Andrew,” he said. “He is a great mentor. He showed us new trails that pumped us up!”   

Cavaletto is no beginner to the sport of cycling. As a child and young adult, he rode BMX bikes and was attracted to downhill racing. He started competition downhill racing in 2004. He said he likes to race, because it takes him to interesting locales. His favorite places have been Austria and Canada.  

Cavaletto has been the owner of Cycle Sport for two years, after working there since he was 17. He runs a hometown bike shop and said he loves seeing people enjoy biking, especially kids.  

“It’s cool to have kids come here asking for biking advice,” he said. “The more they ride, the more they learn and enjoy biking.
The bike shop also supports the local schools, and Cavaletto has a personal interest in starting a mountain biking team at the high school.

All three boys bought their bikes or parts from Cycle Sport and have attended classes on bike maintenance at the store. Cycle Sport offers demo bikes for rent, with the rental fee going toward the purchase of a bike.
Cavaletto will also donate a Cruiser bike for the upcoming Scotts Valley Educational Foundation’s Mt. Charlie Challenge on April 23. If anyone is interested in participating and does not have a bike, Cycle Sport will rent a bike for the day for a small fee.

Cycle Sport is at 245 Mt. Hermon Rd. For more information, visit svcyclesport.com/ or call 831-440-9070