Mary Hoyle (left), Betty Gilbert, Hillary Hienton and Jessica Conner started the Women's Mountain Biking Association of Colorado Springs in 2008. (Photo by Randi Hitchcock)

Gravel-tough and willful, mountain bike rider and racer Mary Hoyle refused to be defeated.

Mary's friend and sister racer Jessica Conner said the feisty red-head with a devilish grin never seemed to recognize pain.

"She would fall and hurt herself, but she would bounce right up," Conner said.

Those who pedaled with her recall how Mary loved to beat the boys. They describe her as a skillful and fearless rider, a tenacious competitor in a sport known for inducing physical exhaustion and removing layers of skin.

Mary raced 10 days ago in the Ascent Cycling Series. She won her classification, powering through a technical singletrack course in Palmer Park. Her teammates said she was as motivated as ever.

"She just hammered it," Conner said.

But now the Colorado Springs cycling community is grieving the loss of Mary Hoyle, who passed away on Wednesday, May 18. She was 27.

Mary loved riding more than anything. It was life and she enjoyed sharing it with others. As one of the founders of the Women's Mountain Biking Association of Colorado Springs,  Mary made her contribution on the trail, helping newcomers learn to ride. The WMBA is an organization that empowers women. Mary was good at that.

"We have members who tell us that Mary was the only one who could teach them," Conner said. "She could get people to ride things when other people couldn't."

And Mary Hoyle always loved to ride fast. She attended Palmer High School, found a home there in the cycling club, and acquired a taste for ripping the legs off the boys in time trial races on Monument Creek Trail.

"She would kick all the guys' butts, just throw down on them," said Hillary Hienton, WMBA member. "She had that passion, just determination."

Hienton first saw Mary 10 years ago. A teenager, she was riding a heavy downhill bike on Nevada Ave.
"I though she must be a big deal," Hienton said. "I was impressed that such a small girl was on such a big bike. Years later, I connected the dots and realized that was her."
Mary's friends were most important to her.
"She loved being around her friends," Hienton said. "Her friends and her brothers were her family."
Mary was a longtime employee at McKenzie's Chop House and was working toward a college degree.
She is survived by brothers Andy Hoyle of Colorado Springs, and Dan Hoyle of Summit County; a sister, Sarah Hoyle, of Colorado Springs; and a cycling community that loved her.
Memorial services are scheduled for 10 a.m. Wednesday at Shrine of Remembrance, 1730 Fountain Blvd. A reception will follow at noon at the home of Tracy Hankinson, 560 Crown Hill Mesa Dr.

From the WMBA: Please join the WMBA group ride at Palmer Park on Thursday, May 26th at 6 p.m. to celebrate the life of WMBA ride leader and cherished teammate, Mary Hoyle. We are asking for donations to support Mary's family for the cost of services. Please make checks payable to Andy Hoyle and any donations exceeding funeral expenses will be donated to Medicine Wheel Trail Advocates. Park at the first parking lot off Maizeland and Academy.