There is a difference between merely playing a sport and being completely committed to it. For Santa Ynez Valley Union High School junior Parker Maccianti, mountain biking isn’t just a pastime; it’s his passion.
Parker’s penchant for mountain biking is exemplified by the fact that he puts forth his best effort during each and every race.
His desire to race is so strong that he doesn’t take sick days. During the first race of this year’s season, the stage was set for a ride through the hilly terrain surrounding the cerulean Lake Perris.
Parker fell ill, but that didn’t stop him from racing. Instead of withdrawing from the competition, he persevered and finished with impressive results. Despite the disadvantage, his speedy ride earned him the 22nd spot among a sea of 90 competitors.
However, that certainly wasn’t his favorite race. In fact, Parker gets to ride his bike in so many beautiful places that it makes it difficult to determine a favorite.
“There are lots of really cool places we get to ride. They’re all unique,” he said.
Among his preferred places to bike are Mammoth Mountain and the web of trails in the Santa Ynez Valley that he gets to train on throughout the year.
One of his most memorable mountain biking experiences was participating in the Sea Otter Classic. A large-scale expo hosted in Monterey, it features everything from a variety of vendors to a bike race.
He got to attend the Sea Otter Classic with his father, Tom (pictured with him above), who happens to be the head coach of Santa Ynez High School’s mountain biking club.
Along with husband-and-wife cycling duo David and Lisa Tonello, Tom is responsible for making the mountain biking team possible. He primarily handles the logistical side of coaching, and the Tonellos focus on getting the high school mountain bikers into the best physical shape possible.
For Parker, having caring and enthusiastic coaches is only one of the many reasons that make mountain biking so special.
During his freshman year of competition, Parker generally finished in the middle of the pack. Then, as a sophomore, he placed third in his age group in the Southern California division—an enormous accomplishment.
As a Division II team, Parker and his fellow bikers are grouped with teams that have 12 riders or less. To compete in Division I, a team must consist of more than 12 riders.Santa Ynez’s team might be smaller than some, but it is no less mighty. In some respects, Parker prefers it.
“I like it small because you can get to know the people on the team,” he said. “Our team connection is very good.”
Motivation is important for young mountain bikers, and Parker seems to have no shortage of that. He finds a great deal of inspiration in the scenery that surrounds him while he rides.
“I love being outdoors versus indoors,” he said.
This article appears in May 8-15, 2014.
