Beyond Racing welcomed its new Junior Team this fall, giving many young riders their first taste of organized bike racing. From navigating race-day nerves to crossing the finish line, these riders jumped in, learned, and discovered the power of teamwork, encouragement, and perseverance. Every first race is a step forward!

Beyond Racing took on the Tour of the White Mountains, where changing course conditions and unfamiliar terrain challenged our riders to adapt, dig deep and rely on themselves. From first-time challenges to podium finishes, it was a weekend that showed what happens when you show up, stay positive and keep moving forward.

September was a fast start to the season for Beyond Racing. Fresh off a week at Durango camp, riders from Salpointe Catholic, Tucson High, University High, Tucson Composite and Imago Dei hit the road for the first two Arizona Cycling Association races at Fort Tuthill in Flagstaff and Pioneer Park in Prescott. For some, it was a chance to test their fitness; for others, it was a brand-new experience.

If you scroll back through TeamSnap from this past month, you can almost relive April in real time: the early mornings, the race updates, the quick check-ins, the photos from the road. It all adds up to more than just information. It tells the story of this team as it's happening.

Have you had a chance to say hi to Coach Max? Max has years of experience riding and racing both road and mountain bikes at the highest levels, and loves nothing more than exploring new roads and areas by bike…

March didn't have one defining race or a single start line where everyone gathered. Instead, it felt like the team scattered in all directions: different states, different countries, different kinds of challenges. And somehow, that says a lot about who we are right now.

Race weekends only run smoothly because of the people behind the scenes. A few thank-yous from our February racing:

A note from Amira, a Beyond Racing parent:

After my first experience spectating at Valley of the Sun and the Tucson Bicycle Classic, and in previous years at 24 HOP, I can wholeheartedly say how incredibly impressed I am with this team…

The new year brings a new season and a new type of racing to experience. While we ride road and mountain bikes all year, in the spring season many riders enjoy road racing. Road racing is a super fun change of pace because it very much is a team sport, and it allows the youth to engage and work with each other in a different way…

Each month we reach out to our amazing alumni. This month, meet Cara.

What's a skill you learned through cycling that helps you outside of racing? Goal setting. I've learned to love the process of picking a goal that means a lot to me, building a long-term plan, and figuring out the little steps I need to take each day to get there.