Born and raised in Jasper, Magnus Stenlund knows a thing or two when comes to mountain biking.听 The 15-year-old has been hitting Jasper鈥檚 grueling uphill, rock-filled, root infested trails since he was just a little tyke trying to keep up with his dad and now he鈥檚 leading the pack amongst his peers.听
鈥淚鈥檝e always liked the challenge that comes with the sport,鈥� Stenlund said. 鈥淵ou鈥檙e not always going to have the best rides or the easiest rides, but for me I always feel good when I get back from a ride.鈥�
Stenlund was recently selected to compete in this year鈥檚 Alberta Summer Games, July 14-17.
鈥淚 have no idea what it鈥檚 going to be like I鈥檓 just honoured to be going,鈥� said Stenlund, adding that he鈥檚 nervous and excited all at the same time.
The Alberta Summer Games, which are being held in Leduc this year, includes riders from eight different zones across the province. Each zone has an under-13, under-15 and under-17 category for girls and boys, respectively. Two riders are picked from each zone for each category.听
Stenlund qualified for one of zone five鈥檚 U-17 spots after winning the qualifying race in Devon, June 14.
鈥淭here was a bit of a climb, but it wasn鈥檛 very technical. The middle section had a lot of weaves and you had to find your way through a lot of trees but it was pretty smooth,鈥� said Stenlund about the qualifying race. 鈥淚t wasn鈥檛 at all like riding here, but it was a lot of fun.鈥�
Despite years of experience, this will be Stenlund鈥檚 biggest race to date.
鈥淚鈥檝e raced against other people, but nothing ever like this,鈥� he said. 鈥淯ntil last year I didn鈥檛 really think of this as a competitive sport it was just something I liked doing. Then I started doing a couple of races and realized I liked that and now I guess I鈥檓 going to the games.鈥�
In preparation for the big event, Stenlund said he鈥檚 been out biking on Jasper鈥檚 trails almost every day.
鈥淣ot only does it prepare me physically but also mentally,鈥� Stenlund said. 鈥淚鈥檓 kind of expecting the worst but hoping for the best, but overall I鈥檓 just going to enjoy the experience and whatever happens, happens.鈥�
In the future, Stenlund said he鈥檚 hopes to continue biking competitively and eventually start competing in 24-hour races.
Kayla Byrne [email protected]
