For Oliver Seufert (‘26), mountain biking is not just a sport. It’s also a way to challenge himself to grow both physically and mentally.
“Being a better version of myself at every race and every ride I do, that’s what keeps me motivated,” said Seufert.
Seufert started biking with his dad when he was only in sixth grade. After that, it became a big part of his life. Now, as a senior, his routine consists of ten to eighteen hours of training every week, which includes not only biking and practicing, but also working out in the gym. His consistency has enabled him to complete long races of up to 120 miles in seven hours.
“My longest ride has been around 120 miles,” Seufert said. “It was long, but it was worth it.”
Seufert has been racing in competitions since eighth grade and has been building a great racing background. One of the most memorable races for him is the Lost Coast Grasshopper race, which he won in the Pro Men Category.
Events like the Sea Otter Gravel are one of the hardest races he has ever finished, with a route of 90 miles and 10,000 feet of climbing while in high temperatures. Still, these challenges are the things that keep him motivated.
“It’s really hard, but it’s very rewarding once you get used to it and get better,” said Seufert.
For Seufert, mountain biking does not mean just winning races. It also means growth. Over the years since sixth grade, he has improved his handling skills and endurance on the bike and has just started competing in road racing as an additional challenge.
“I used to be really bad at handling skills, but now I’ve done it a lot, so I’m pretty good at it. I’ve just started road racing, so my road handling skills aren’t as good as my mountain bike handling skills,” said Seufert. Though he does not want to pursue mountain biking professionally, he still wants to stay involved in it and keep racing and developing skills while enjoying the process in the future.
“Success to me is improving,” Seufert said. “It’s about getting fitter, performing better, and seeing progress over time.”
