Excitement filled the air Saturday morning as young riders gathered for the third race of the year, hosted by Galbraith Gravity Racing (GGR). The race took place on the south side of Galbraith Mountain, just minutes southeast of downtown Bellingham, where over 50 youth riders participated.
The event featured multiple age categories, ranging from under 7 to under 18 years old. Coaches and professional riders participated at the end, offering the younger racers a chance to see how the experts do it. Riders are placed in categories based on their previous race times to ensure fair competition and a smooth race.
Six-year-old Saoirse Read kicked off the event, setting a high energy level with her impressive performance. Cheers erupted around Galbraith as Read descended the track, securing first place in the girls U7 category with a time of 7 minutes and 24 seconds. With two years of racing experience, she continues to impress.
Read isn’t the only young, experienced rider. Thirteen-year-old Liam Schultz, who started riding at a young age, shared his journey: “I started riding six to seven years ago. I started on the strider bike right as I could walk.” Schultz competes for Mission6ix Racing, one of the few teams participating in the GGR event.
The race is open to all kids under 18 with a USA Cycling permit, not just those who race for a team. In the CAT three Boys U10 category, Gunnar Shepherd claimed first place with a time of 3:31, narrowly edging out Brecken Larson, who finished at 3:38.
In the CAT three Boys U14 group, Harrison Hill finished with the fastest time of 3:26. Meanwhile, in the CAT two U14 group, Chris Stokes defeated Riley Larson by just 0.7 seconds, earning first place with a time of 3:05.
The fastest time of the day came from Grahame Shepherd (U16), who raced down the mountain in an impressive 3:04. Shepherd’s time was faster than several older competitors, though professional rider JT Fisher topped all riders with a time of 2:39.
Penelope Longman recorded the fastest girls’ time of 3:35, with Sofia Ruiz-Crook finishing second at 3:50 and Hannah Lee following with a time of 4:34.
While the competition is fierce, the spirit of community is what makes GGR events special. Riders feel supported by their peers and coaches, creating a positive and welcoming atmosphere.
“I like how everybody is so friendly, and when you need help with something, people are always willing to help you or coach you,” said GGR racer Beck Potter.
His friend, Owen Nauman, added, “People are really nice to you on this team. They don’t just tell you how to improve; they show you.”
Matt Shepherd, one of GGR’s founders, explained how the event came to be. “About five years ago, we started putting on our own races because there are a lot of people who want to try the sport, but it’s a big commitment,” he said. “We wanted to make it super affordable—only five or ten dollars to race—so people could come try it. If they love it, they can continue.”