Derek Hobden
Philippians 4:13 “I can do all things through him who strengthens me.”
Hometown: Danville, CA
Category 1 DH MTB
Category 2 XC MTB
Specialties: Hucking fat jumps and drops, railing berms, laughing
Hobbies: Skiing, Aggressive Hiking, Building dirt jumps/features/etc., Dirt Biking
Derek is currently completing his junior year of high school at Monte Vista High School in
Danville, CA. Not only does he strive for the highest grades in the classroom, but also for results on the race course. Derek learned how to ride a bike without training wheels at the age of 4, and since then has never lost touch with his “two wheeled’ sense.
In 2006, while in 6th grade, Derek began mountain biking on the trails in Mt. Diablo State Park. Throughout middle school, his passion for recreational riding grew, and in the summer of 2009 he competed in his first race at Northstar Resort in Lake Tahoe. He became hooked on the adrenaline of downhill racing, and since then has made a name for himself in the northern California downhill MTB scene. Derek would have to say that his real passion in mountain biking is his downhill racing, however he is not limited to his descending skills.
During his freshman year at Monte Vista, Derek was approached by Alex Chamberlin, a fellow student and friend who rode MTB, regarding building a cross country mountain bike race team. Although apprehensive at first, Derek went along with the idea, and became the first President of the team. Throughout the first season, he learned to ride fast up hills and became a disciplined endurance athlete. The Monte Vista Mountain Bike Team started its first season with 4 racers, who all competed in Nor Cal High School Mountain Bike Race League. The team grew three times as large during its second season, with 12 racers from Monte Vista tackling the challenging races during the 2011 race season. Now, the Monte Vista Mountain Bike Team is in its third season, with 17 active racers and a plethora of supportive parents and a wonderful coaching staff. Derek is proud to be president of the team and looks forward to building the team further during his remaining time at Monte Vista.
Derek loves the sport of mountain biking because it provides a release that no other sport has been able to provide for him. He has built a strong appreciation for nature and the environment through riding, as well as discipline, maturity, and a solid group of friends. He would like to thank his parents for providing him the opportunity to pursue a career in mountain biking; without them, none of his success would be possible. On top of that, Derek depends on his faith to overcome his obstacles in life and his cycling career, and devotes all of his achievements to Christ. 2 Timothy 4:7 “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept in good faith.”
“The tragedy of life does not lie in not reaching your goal, the tragedy lies in having no goal to reach.”-Anonymous
