A beloved mountain biker from Rhode Island, Scott Huntley, 34, is being remembered for his infectious personality and radiant smile after his tragic passing during a national competition last weekend.
Huntley was competing in the 2024 Gravity Mountain Bike National Championships at Ride Rock Creek in Zirconia, North Carolina, on Sunday, August 4, when he suffered a fatal crash during his downhill race. According to USA Cycling, event medical staff swiftly attended to him on the course, and he was transported to a nearby hospital. Unfortunately, despite their efforts, Huntley succumbed to his injuries later that evening.
In a statement, USA Cycling extended its heartfelt condolences to Huntley’s family, friends, and the cycling community, mourning the loss of a passionate and vibrant competitor.
Huntley’s girlfriend, Kristina Grande, spoke to NBC10 Boston affiliate WJAR, recalling his deep passion for downhill mountain biking, a sport he embraced just four years ago. Grande noted the inherent dangers of the sport, acknowledging that injuries are an almost inevitable part of it.
“You don’t tell people to be safe; you tell people to be smart because it’s just not a safe sport whatsoever,” Grande remarked.
Huntley had endured multiple injuries over the years, including a broken collarbone and wrist. Despite the risks, he remained undeterred, always rising after every fall. When news of his crash first reached Grande, she assumed, as always, that Huntley would bounce back.
“When we found out he fell, we were like, ‘Oh, okay. Scott will get back up, he always gets back up,'” Grande recalled. “This is probably the most painful thing I’ve ever gone through in my life.”
Reflecting on his final moments, Grande found solace in the fact that Huntley passed away doing what he loved, surrounded by a community that meant so much to him. “He was really happy; he really died doing what he loved and being loved and feeling like he was a part of something,” she added.
In honor of Huntley’s memory, a memorial ride was held Saturday afternoon at Mount Snow in West Dover, Vermont. The ride was followed by a moment of silence, as friends and fellow riders gathered to pay tribute to a man whose passion for the sport and larger-than-life smile will not be forgotten.
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