As popular as cycling and mountain biking are in Colorado, it's surprising that something like the Colorado High School Cycling League hadn't been created sooner. But when Kate Rau of Boulder decided to seed a club-level competitive league for Colorado high school kids based on a decade-old program in California, the idea flourished. Rau tells The Denver Post that 180 students have registered for the league, and 144 of them have competed at both of the league's first two races. "It's a no-brainer for Colorado," Rau says. "You can't have enough healthy activities for kids. If you can provide another opportunity for a passion to be ignited, why not?"

In all, 19 teams, including one from Laramie, Wyoming, are spread across four age groups. State championships are set for October 31 at the Peaceful Valley Boy Scouts Camp near Elbert.

Meanwhile, many talented riders from Colorado were on display at the 24 Hours of Moab mountain bike race over the weekend. Sari Anderson of Glenwood Springs completed the fastest lap by a woman, as well the Mixed Duo National Championship with teammate Max Taam of Snowmass Village, writes The Aspen Times. Other Coloradans claimed national titles, too: The Basalt Bike and Ski/ESC team won in the men's masters competition for racers 35 and older, a Honey Stinger/Trek team took the men's four-person competition, and the Stomparillaz of the Roaring Fork Valley won the single speed open competition.