Building a Community on Two Wheels:

The ice and snow were thick in the Ravenna woods as Mat Mesarchick’s son raced his way down the trail, desperately fighting to gain ground on a bigger, faster, stronger cyclist.

Despite a race populated with champion adults and much more experienced riders, this neck and neck struggle between these two boys—both under sixteen, began to draw crowds as they circled the course. In the open sections, the older boy would gain ground, but on the more rugged trail sections, Mat’s son Alex, an experienced dirt biker, would pull ahead due to his fast and precise handling. 

It was anyone’s race, and the anticipation was building fast.

Mat was in the woods, waiting to take a video as the two boys shot past on their next loop around the trail. He heard the other boy’s dad yell out some hearty encouragement…’Turn up! You gotta get a gap on that kid, he’s gonna catch you in the woods!’

Mat knew his son needed a similar boost if he was going to keep up the pace. He took in a breath, cupped his hands over his mouth, and shouted...

… ‘PEDAL FASTER YOU DELICATE FLOWER!!’ 🤣🤣🤣

It was a moment that led to their favorite hashtag (#PFYDF) and turned out to be the beginning of just one of many beautiful friendships, because to this day, Mat’s son, the other racer—AND his dad, all became fast friends. 

And it’s just the kind of memory Mat is all about helping others build - one of the many reasons he decided to launch his own mountain biking race organization, and he’s changing the game in Northern Ohio.

It’s that kind of energy—playful, yet passionate—that Mat brings to everything he does, and it’s why he’s become such a beloved figure in the Ohio mountain biking community.

From Zero to Race Series Hero

Mat’s story isn’t the typical “I’ve always loved mountain biking” narrative. His journey into the sport was actually a bit of an accident.

It all started when he took his son on a mountain biking trip in Ecuador, and they both fell in love with the sport. Once they were back home they began to seek out races and events, but they were feeling the frustration. 

They felt like the races were more about the money and less about the community and experience. The existing organizations were pretty far afield, and there was a lack of heart, as well as a lack of affordability. And Mat, being Mat, couldn’t just let it slide.

It started with a youth cycling club so he wouldn’t have to travel so far. And before he knew it, it quickly grew into a plan for an entirely new race series.

He approached the folks at Vultures Knob, a mountain bike park in Wooster, and pitched his idea: a brand-new race series that was less about profits and more about fun, camaraderie, and giving back to the local community. Troy, a board member at Vultures Knob, heard Mat out and—without skipping a beat—said, “Let’s do it.” And just like that, a seed was planted.

But the road wasn’t smooth, not by a long shot. The first year was full of rain, mud, and growing pains. There were issues with race logistics and a few people who weren’t entirely on board with the new direction Mat was taking. But through all the chaos, there was one thing that was crystal clear: Mat’s race series wasn’t just a race. It was the beginning of something bigger—a community where people were rooting for each other, sharing a love of the sport, and building connections beyond just the finish line.

The first race had about 135 riders. Very respectable for a first attempt. But the second year? They saw 207 racers at the season opener. And that number only continued to grow. Mat’s race series has quickly become a staple in Ohio’s mountain biking scene—and it’s all because of the energy he brings to the table.

Ohio Breaks Away From The Pack

Like most Ohioans, Mat had a pretty dim view of his home state, until his friend from their infamous trip to Ecuador decided to come visit. Mat was low-key embarrassed at the prospect of showing NEO to someone from literal paradise, but in the end when he and his friends sat down to think through where they could take her during her stay, the light dawned on them. “We have some really amazing things here in Ohio!”, Mat admits. And his Ecuadorian friend wholeheartedly agreed after she got the full tour—a common phenomenon that isn’t unique to their story.

Now Mat’s singing Ohio’s praises right along with the rest of us, and he’s more dedicated than ever to contributing to the community that raised him.

The Community Vibe

What really sets Mat’s race series apart is the sense of community it fosters. While other race series might be focused on making money or becoming the biggest name in town, Mat has kept his eyes on something much more important: making mountain biking a sport that feels fun and accessible to everyone, both in cost and in community. 

And it’s not just about racing—it’s about giving back to the trails and the people who help maintain them. Over 50% of the revenue from the races goes back into local organizations, including trail stewards and youth cycling programs. So far, Mat’s team has donated over $40K to various projects, including the Thorn Mountain Bike Trail in Findley State Park, which received a huge boost last year thanks to these efforts.

"We're all in this together," Mat says. "Without the trails, we wouldn't have a race. And without the people behind those trails, well... we wouldn’t have anything. That’s why it’s so important to put the money back into the community."

Giving Women and Kids a Place to Ride

One of Mat’s proudest achievements has been creating a space for women and kids in the mountain biking community. When he realized that women’s participation in the sport was dropping, he knew something had to change. In 2023, he launched a women’s-only race, and it was an absolute hit. In fact, the women’s race was such a success that they created an entire weekend retreat dedicated to women in mountain biking, complete with clinics, camping, meals, and of course, a race.

The results? Incredible. In 2024, women made up a solid 20% of the racers in Mat’s series. And it wasn’t just the women who got the spotlight. Mat made sure to create a fun, low-pressure environment for kids as well, with race fees for young riders only $20. Plus, the kids race in their own category, separate from the adults, to make sure they’re having fun and learning at their own pace.

“It’s about making sure everyone has a place in the sport,” Mat says. “We don’t want to intimidate them; we want them to enjoy it. We want them to feel like they belong.”

And the best part is that the kids race solo from the adults, giving their parents a chance to cheer them on before they begin their own races. Mountain Biking tends to be a family affair, so this solution has been very popular among families.

And that’s the thing about Mat—he’s not just building a race series. He’s building a family. Whether you’re a first-timer or a seasoned pro, everyone is welcome, everyone is cheered on, and everyone leaves with a sense of belonging.

The Struggles and the Triumphs

Of course, building a race series from the ground up hasn’t been without its challenges. But through every struggle, Mat has stayed focused on his vision: to create something that people can rally behind, something that brings riders together in a way that’s bigger than just a race.

The 2025 season has been the most successful yet, and it’s only getting better. With nine races still to go—including the Battle of Toledo (Ohio vs. Michigan!) and the series finale, which will be the state championship—Mat’s community-focused race series is showing no signs of slowing down.

And these races are no small potatoes. “We are part of USA Cycling, which is the national governing body for cycling as an Olympic sport. So USA Cycling is the organization that awards official state championship races in the different disciplines of site.”

“Yeah, it’s hard work,” Mat admits. “But seeing the faces of the racers, seeing the community come together... that’s what makes it all worth it. It’s not just about the race. It’s about the people we’re helping, the trails we’re building, and the memories we’re making.”

What’s Next?

So what’s next for Mat and his mountain biking series? Well, if you ask him, it’s all about growth. He wants to keep expanding, keep building the community, and make sure that this sport is something that anyone can try and fall in love with.

“You never know where this journey is going to take you,” he says with a grin. “But wherever it goes, I’ll be on my bike. And I’ll be yelling at you to pedal faster, you delicate flower.” 😆

Want to get involved? Check out the events page on Facebook and sign up for one of the remaining races this season. Whether you’re a seasoned racer or just looking to have a little fun, Mat’s race series is where you want to be. You’ll ride hard, have a blast, and walk away with a bunch of new friends—and maybe even a few dirt stains.

LEARN MORE & GET INVOLVED:

Shenanigan’s Cycling Race Team for Kids: https://www.shenaniganscycling.com/

Northern Ohio Mountain Bike Series (NOMBS): https://www.northernohiomountainbikeseries.com/whoarewe 

NOMBS FB Page: https://www.facebook.com/NorthernOhioMBS