Quick n Dirty is what the race promised to be. In March 2023, Crystal Pyramid Productions VP, Patricia Mooney and President, Mark Schulze, both entered the Quick n Dirty Lake Morena Sagebrush Safari mountain bike race. It was heir first race in 30 years. The course was especially tough and grueling because recent downpours left the trails muddy with streams flowing across the trails.

The competition was fierce, but Mooney refused to be intimidated. She rode with strength and skill, navigating the course with ease and finishing the race in first place (women’s category). Not to mention 11TH OVERALL in a field of 70 men and women. Mooney is 67 years old.

As she stood on the podium, Mooney felt a sense of pride and accomplishment that she hadn’t experienced in years. The victory was a testament to her resilience, determination, and love of the sport. It was also a reminder that age is just a number. And therefore with hard work and dedication, anything is possible.

The Beginning

Patricia Mooney began her mountain bike journey in 1986 on Christmas Day. She and her husband, Mark Schulze, bought mountain bikes for each other as Christmas gifts. It was a bit of a rocky start, literally. On her first ride, she balked at riding across a stream. Mark encouraged her to ride across the water quipping “Hey, this is what mountain bikes are for.”

In 1988, Patricia won her first mountain bike race, the Montana Grande in Rosarito Beach, Baja Mexico, at the age of 33. It was the beginning of a long and impressive career that would see Mooney become one of the most accomplished mountain bikers in the country. Mooney fell in love with the sport and competed in races across California, pushing herself to new heights and setting records along the way.

In 1991, Mooney raced in the Snow Summit Amateur Cup. Her victory was a moment of triumph for the then 36-year-old rider who had only begun the sport a few years earlier.

She stood alone on the podium, having faced and overcome setbacks and challenges, including injuries and balancing her training with work and family obligations.

A Litany of Injuries

Mooney never took time off from mountain biking, except due to injuries that included a broken collar bone while riding on Porcupine Rim in Moab, Utah (1995), a broken wrist while riding in Balboa Park, San Diego (1999), and two total knee replacements (2009 and 2013). She remained committed to the sport and continued to push herself to new heights.

Mooney’s journey is an inspiration to anyone who has faced challenges and setbacks in their pursuit of their dreams. Her story is a reminder that success is not always about winning, but about the journey and the lessons learned along the way. Mooney’s win at Lake Morena, 32 years after her victory at Big Bear Lake, is a testament to the power of perseverance and the enduring love of a sport that can sustain a person through a lifetime.

Mark also stood on the podium in 2nd place (Overall, out of first by six seconds). Beers were raised (thank you, Sierra Nevada) and toasts abounded for the rest of the sunny afternoon as straggling racers continued to cross the finish line.

An AI Sonnet

Amidst the rugged trails of dirt and stone, One rider stands above the rest in might,

A force to reckon with, a femme cyclone, With passion burning ever bright.

Her name is Mooney, Patricia by birth, A rider true, a mountain biker strong,

A woman of great grit and worth, She’s raced for years, a journey long.

Through injuries, through trials and strife, She’s stood the test of time with grace,

And conquered every mountain, every climb, With every pedal stroke, she’s found her place.

Her spirit soars like eagles high, A champion she is, till the end of time.

In Conclusion