Photo:  Colin FitzGerald via Unsplash.com

By Laura Durenberger-Grunow - Boreal Community Media - July 11, 2024


It started with a sweatshirt. A Rochester Mountain Bike Team sweatshirt, to be exact, worn by Brian Gregg. 

Brian and Melissa Gregg recently moved to Grand Marais from Rochester, Minnesota, where, as experienced bike riders, the two started a youth mountain bike club in 2011. "We believe this was the first youth mountain bike team in the entire midwest, pre-dating when NICA [the National Interscholastic Cycling Association] came to the area," they told Boreal Community Media. 

After moving to Cook County, Brian would wear his Mountain Bike Team sweatshirt around, and the couple received many comments from new friends and community members that a youth mountain bike club was needed here. After hearing of the need for such a group, the Greggs decided to start the Cook County Youth Mountain Bike Team for kids in grades 6-12. Certified as coaches through the Minnesota Cycling Association (MCA), "Brian has coached eight seasons of middle and high school mountain biking and Melissa coached four seasons," they shared. 

The Bike Team will be part of the MCA, which Brian and Melissa say provides coach training, certification, and insurance. The organization is a 501(c)(3) youth development organization building strong mind, body and character, guided by the principles of inclusivity and equality." Currently, the MCA serves over 2600 student riders and has 1300 certified coaches spread over 50+ teams state-wide. 

Being part of the MCA also allows team members to participate in races, which are hosted from late August - October around the state. The Cook County team itself will meet two times a week starting mid-August at Pincushion or other areas in Grand Marais. "Practices will focus on developing bike handling skills, building confidence on two wheels, and having fun," the Greggs said. With this being the first year, the schedule will work around the Cook County Cross-Country team schedule so youth can participate in both. 

As coaches, the Greggs bring a wealth of experience and knowledge to the table. They shared that Brian has been a "lifelong cyclist and has mountain biked for 30 years". Both regularly biked to their jobs while living in Rochester, and they were part of a tandem bike team. Melissa also raced road bikes before starting the Rochester youth team, and has a Master of Education and a "passion for the outdoors and wellness topics". In addition to Melissa and Brian, they are hoping to find one more volunteer assistant coach to join the team. "There is a rider cap based on the number of coaches we have," they said. 

Youth interested in joining do not need any mountain biking experience themselves (but do need to know how to ride a bike), just a mountain bike and an approved helmet. (You can find more information about what is considered an approved helmet here.) There is a $100 fee to participate, with scholarships available through MCA. 

As part of the Cook County Youth Mountain Bike Team, Melissa plans to have a "girls-only" practice group, which she will coach. That group will ideally consist of six members.