The sound of clicking gears creates rhythm as your tires roll over the trail. Your lungs heave, you tell yourself to push harder even if you feel like you are going to collapse. The finish is close, and you can hear cheering vibrating the hillside of the Eagle Mt. Bike State Championships.

“You definitely need perseverance and just the will to keep pushing,” Paul English, sophomore, said, “ Racing really hurts and it’s just a great thing when you’re able to push through that.”

 On Oct. 22 eight GJHS mt. bike racers competed at state. The freshmen and sophomores raced a 12 mile course and the Varsity girls and JV boys raced 18 miles. Four grueling laps were in store for the Varsity boys, adding up to a total of 24 miles.

Many GJHS riders placed high in their division at this 2017 State race. Each individual claimed a victory that they had worked so hard for all season. But even if the season has come to a close some riders are already preparing for next season.

“I think I improved physically [this season], like my endurance was better. Next season I just want to place higher. If I race JV again I just hope that I can do better,” Mia Brygger, sophomore, said.

Although some riders are looking forward to getting back with team next fall, this year’s legacy riders, Clark Willis and Eric Brygger, are sad to say their goodbyes.

The finish at this year’s state was filled with mixed emotions for racer Eric Brygger.

“The race was hard and it was nice for it to be over but at the same time it was kind of sad because I knew that it was going to be my last high school race, “ Eric Brygger, senior, said.

Eric Brygger and Clark Willis rode with the program freshmen through senior year making this state championships the finale of their Grand Valley Youth Cycling career.

Grand Valley Youth Cycling (GVYC) has developed character and inspired athletes to push themselves to the limit. For more information on how to join the GJHS team go to the website http://www.grandvalleymtb.com.