Cedar City Hosts Exciting High School Cycling Competition

I was talking with my colleague, Jeff Basham, who is our Engineering Director here at the radio stations the other day. He told me his kids would be coming up from St. George this weekend to Cedar City for a big high school competition. The only competition I was aware of this weekend was the Cedar-Dixie football game, and that was going to be down in St. George.

So, I asked him what sport his kids were competing in and he told me mountain biking.

Huh?

I had no idea there was a competitive mountain biking league in our state for high school kids, but there certainly is, and they will be here this weekend.

High School Cycling Is A Big Thing In Utah

The Utah High School Cycling League, the nation’s largest interscholastic mountain biking program, will be rolling into town this weekend for a major competition that brings together hundreds of student riders. The event is set for Saturday, August 30^th at the Three Peaks Recreation Area.

Courtesy Jeff Basham/Basham Family

Founded in 2011, the Utah High School Cycling League is part of the National Interscholastic Cycling Association (NICA) and has grown into one of the state’s most popular youth athletic programs. With more than 7,600 participants statewide, the league provides students in grades 7–12 with opportunities to race, train, and learn leadership skills in a supportive environment. Unlike traditional high school sports, the league emphasizes inclusivity, encouraging all riders to participate—there are no tryouts or benches.

This weekend’s race is part of the Region 6 competition, which includes teams from southern and central Utah such as the Iron Giants of Cedar City, the Moab Red Devils, and other composite squads. Both high school athletes and “Junior Devo” middle school riders will take to the trails, showcasing endurance, skill, and teamwork on Cedar City’s rugged desert terrain.

For the local community, hosting a league event means more than just an athletic showcase. Families, volunteers, and trail stewards come together to support the racers and promote responsible trail use. The league relies heavily on volunteers, and opportunities are still open for those interested in helping at the Three Peaks race.

Courtesy Jeff Basham/Basham Family

Following Cedar City, Region 6 teams will continue their season with competitions in Manti and Panguitch, all leading up to the highly anticipated State Championship in October. That championship competition will also be held in Cedar City.

As the starting line fills this Saturday, the event offers a chance for southern Utah residents to see firsthand why the Utah High School Cycling League has become a defining force in youth athletics—building not just stronger riders, but stronger communities.