Through a partnership with the Colorado High School Cycling League, Fountain Valley School (FVS) is pleased to host the inaugural Lazy B Ranch Rally high school mountain bike race from Friday, September 20, through Sunday, September 22, 2024. This event, the first of its kind to be held on-site at a Colorado high school, will welcome approximately 730 riders across 51 teams and multiple states to Fountain Valley’s 1,100-acre Prairie campus in southern Colorado Springs.
“As the sport of mountain biking has grown in popularity, we knew we had the ideal terrain, and immediately looked for ways to optimize our location,” said the School’s Director of Athletics Geoff Harlan.
Throughout its 94-year history, Fountain Valley School’s vast landscape and rigorous academic programs have been coupled with a strong commitment to outdoor education and athletics. Today, FVS is home to a 60,000-square-foot athletic complex featuring an indoor swimming and diving pool, spin room, gymnasium, and the largest high school climbing facility in the nation, eight outdoor tennis courts, numerous grass fields, indoor and outdoor horseback riding arenas, and an extensive 15-mile trail system.
Planning for the race began several years ago with a partnership between Fountain Valley School, the Colorado High School Cycling League (Colorado League), and the Colorado Springs Sports Corporation to bring this unprecedented event to the Pikes Peak region.
“The coordination and support has been phenomenal,” commented Colorado League Executive Director Kate Rau. “The Fountain Valley staff, Tony Boone Trails, Medicine Wheel Trail Advocates, and the Colorado Springs Sports Corporation have been integral in bringing this race venue online for us and others.”
A middle school race known as the FVS Junior XC was offered to over 50 riders on the Fountain Valley School campus this past May as a trial run for the large-scale event in September. Beyond the high school competition, which will feature teams from Colorado and neighboring New Mexico, the rally aims to foster a sense of camaraderie and sportsmanship among student-athletes. The Lazy B Ranch Rally will also provide opportunities for families, students, alumni, and spectators to experience Colorado Springs’ vibrant mountain biking community firsthand.
In all, the Lazy B Ranch Rally represents Fountain Valley’s dedication to outdoor education, athletics, and the spirit of adventure – a hallmark of the School for nearly a century. "With most Colorado League races occurring on the Western Slope, we are hopeful that the ease of access and exposure this race brings to mountain bike racing will lead to greater awareness and participation in the sport," said Harlan.
For beginner mountain bikers ages nine to 13, the School will offer two week-long Fountain Valley Summer Camps in June 2025. Additional information can be obtained at www.fvs.edu/summer.
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About Fountain Valley School
Founded in 1930, Fountain Valley School of Colorado is a boarding and day school for grades 9-12. Situated on 1,100 acres of rolling prairie in Colorado Springs, the School provides a rigorous, global curriculum in academics, arts, athletics, and the outdoors to develop young adults who are courageous, open-minded, self-reliant, curious, and compassionate. Enrollment is approximately 240 students from 20 countries, 26 states and the Pikes Peak Region. www.fvs.edu
About the Colorado High School Cycling League
The Colorado League is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 2009. The inaugural season of competition was in the Fall of 2010 with 202 student-athletes representing 19 teams. Initially, we served high school students from Colorado and southern Wyoming. The geographic range has expanded to include student-athletes from northern New Mexico and South Dakota. The Colorado League fosters healthy habits in youth, develops self-confidence, cultivates leadership, and builds community in a welcoming environment that strengthens family bonds and empowers youth through interscholastic mountain bike racing. Currently, there are almost 2,000 student-athletes from 88 teams.
On Monday, September 16, Fountain Valley School (FVS) will welcome the globally recognized innovator, speaker, author, educator, and futurist Langdon Morris – an alumnus from the FVS Class of 1974 – to its 1,100-acre Prairie campus in Colorado Springs for a special day of engagement and learning with students, faculty, and staff.
Morris, a senior partner with InnovationLabs, is world-renowned for helping organizations navigate rapid change and market disruption. His impressive client list includes NASA, UNICEF, and the U.S. Navy.
Founded in 1930, Fountain Valley School is committed to preparing the next generation of global leaders to think creatively and strategically about the future. During his day-long visit to FVS, Morris will facilitate a three-hour "Innovation in a Global World" workshop providing 10th-grade students with valuable perspectives on how innovation can drive solutions to global issues. Members of the media interested in attending Morris’ seminar on Monday, September 16, from 8:30 to 11:45 a.m. (6155 Fountain Valley School, Colorado Springs, CO 80911) must contact Meg Winnicker in advance at mwinnicker@fvs.edu or 719-391-5622.
Additional highlights open only to FVS students, faculty, and staff will include a meet-and-greet with employees, a “Net Zero” talk with Advanced Environmental students, and a school-wide lecture with one of the leading minds in innovation today.
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Founded in 1930, Fountain Valley School of Colorado is a boarding and day school for grades 9-12. Situated on 1,100 acres of rolling prairie in Colorado Springs, the School provides a rigorous, global curriculum in academics, arts, athletics, and the outdoors to develop young adults who are courageous, open-minded, self-reliant, curious, and compassionate. Enrollment is approximately 240 students from 20 countries, 26 states and the Pikes Peak Region. www.fvs.edu