By Tryg Solberg - Boreal Community Media - May 13, 2026

The Cook County Mountain Bike team is heading into its third season with growing momentum. After moving to Grand Marais a few years ago, Brian and Melissa Gregg noticed there wasn't a youth mountain bike team. Having previously established one in Rochester, MN, the two drew on that experience to build support and launch a program locally.

The Greggs credit the team’s growth to a dedicated group of volunteer coaches. In its first season, the team started with seven riders; by last season, that number grew to 18. 

Martha Williams, one of the volunteer coaches and also a parent of a rider on the team, shared that after moving to the area from the Twin Cities, her son was bummed there wasn't a mountain bike team to join. Thankfully, that changed after the Greggs started the team. 

Brian shared with Boreal Community Media that the turnout is particularly impressive given the county’s small population compared to other regions. While mountain bike races are often centered in the Metro area and southern Minnesota, making travel a challenge, the team has carved out a niche in the local youth fall sports scene. 

Last season, for many of the 18 riders, mountain biking was their primary fall sport. The team practices three days a week during the fall, frequently utilizing the recently revamped trails at Pincushion Mountain before traveling across the state for competitions.

In addition to the mountain bike team, the Greggs started a gravel riding group for youth looking to ride in the spring before the trails are ready. Gravel bikes have drop handle bars similar to road bikes but wider tires to roll over gravel and bumps. To ensure the program remains accessible, the Greggs secured grants from the Life Time Foundation to purchase a fleet of gravel bikes for middle and high school students. This helps alleviate the financial burden for families who may have already invested in mountain biking equipment. SpokeNGear in Two Harbors further supported the effort by providing an excellent deal on the new bikes. Brian and other coaches currently lead these rides through Memorial Day, coinciding with the annual Le Grand Du Nord gravel race, hosted by Heck of the North Productions.