Rider Stories

Every kid on a bike has a story worth telling.

Not just the champions. Ordinary kids discovering what they're capable of — that's where the best stories usually start.

Maya crossing the finish line, dirt on her face
Featured Story

Meet Maya

Age 12 · Traverse City · Mountain Biking

"I love the feeling right before a race starts — my hands are shaking, but in a good way. My coach always tells me it's not about being the fastest, it's about finishing what you started."

Working toward: Her first cyclocross season this fall.

What cycling has taught her: "That getting back up is the actual sport."

Meet More Riders

Champions come in every size, speed, and story.

Portrait — Elijah, 14, BMX
Elijah, 14 — Grand Rapids
BMX

"BMX taught me that falling isn't the end of the run."

Working toward: his first regional podium
Portrait — Priya, 10, recreational trail riding
Priya, 10 — Marquette
Trail Riding

"My favorite part is riding with my dad after school."

What cycling taught her: patience
Portrait — Jonah, 16, road and track
Jonah, 16 — Ann Arbor
Road & Track

"My team feels more like family than a race squad."

Working toward: a spot on the state team
Portrait — Sofia, 9, learning to ride a pump track
Sofia, 9 — Holland
Skills Development

"I didn't know how to ride six months ago. Now I can jump!"

What cycling taught her: trying again
Portrait — Marcus, 15, cyclocross, mud on his kit
Marcus, 15 — Lansing
Cyclocross

"Mud, mechanicals, mistakes — cyclocross humbles you every single week."

Working toward: his first full season
Portrait — Aaliyah, 13, community ride, laughing with friends
Aaliyah, 13 — Detroit
Community Riding

"I ride because it's the one hour a week that's just for me and my friends."

What cycling taught her: friendship
Portrait — Owen, 11, MTB, loading his bike into a car
Owen, 11 — Traverse City
Mountain Biking

"My mom says I talk about trails more than anything else in my life."

Working toward: riding his first black diamond trail
Portrait — Grace, 17, track, on the podium with teammates
Grace, 17 — Kalamazoo
Track

"Track racing is chaos and trust at the same time. I love it."

Working toward: coaching younger riders next season
Portrait — Diego, 12, fixing a flat tire with his coach
Diego, 12 — Grand Haven
MTB

"My coach taught me to fix my own flat. Now I fix my little brother's too."

What cycling taught him: self-reliance

Know a rider we should meet?

Nominate a young cyclist or share your own rider's story. We're always looking for the next one to tell.