Halfway down Follow Me, a mountain bike trail in Mammoth Lakes, California, junior Kayla Neumann hit a root with her front tire coming off a drop. She flipped over the handlebars, which jammed into her pelvis, causing a fracture. 

Despite the fall, Neumann continued the last mile, knowing that the moment would pass and all of her hard work and training would be for nothing. She took advantage of the misfortune and let it fuel her for the rest of the race, leading her to second place in her age group.

Considering this was her first major competition, she rides a pretty expensive and advanced bike, a 2015 Santa Cruz Heckler, which costs over $2000. 

“My instincts just followed how I practiced on that course,” said Neumann. “I was just relieved the bike wasn’t hurt.” 

Neumann has never found herself in this position before, yet knew exactly how to handle it.  

“I knew she was disappointed but I was happy that she picked the bike up and finished the race,” said father Bruce Neumann. 

Because of her season pass, Neumann has been mountain biking for six years now and will continue to ride. 

“I plan on riding for as long as I can,” said Neumann. “Maybe not competitively, but it is a really fun hobby.”

Her dad is her only coach and bonds with her through the adrenaline filled hobby, teaching her everything he knows. This past summer, she got the opportunity to demo more sophisticated bikes. 

Apparently mountain biking isn’t the only way Neumann’s qualities of perseverance and determination have come out. 

“From academics to athletics, she doesn’t take no for an answer,” said junior Bella McHugh. “Every challenge she treats like an obstacle that she not only has to complete but surpass.” 

Neumann is also an avid Cross Country and Track athlete for Cal High. Her charisma wears off on her teammates, making it an enjoyable environment for those around her. 

“Training with Kayla everyday, I know for a fact she is capable of overcoming all hardships on the track, on the course and in life,” said senior Mary Swisher. 

Because this sport is such a high intensity activity, Neumann is unable to be competitive in mountain biking for all six months of the season. She only trains and participates from June to August and focuses on Track and Cross Country the rest of the year.