Riding and Racing With Purpose
Claire has been riding bikes for as long as she can remember—first on the back of her dad’s bike, then racing alongside her sister on the West Shore Composite team. What started as a family activity quickly became a defining part of Claire’s life. “It’s the familiar faces—on snow and on trails—that have kept me here,” she says, crediting her ski community and her dad, a coach, for keeping her connected.
Positive Energy
While the thrill of race day is part of the draw, it’s the energy of the mountain biking community that keeps Claire coming back year after year. “There’s no pressure to be the best,” she explains. Her role as a student-athlete at PICL has even turned her into a bit of a campus recruiter—her love of the sport has sparked curiosity and inspired peers to give it a try.
“Even deep in the single track, someone’s always cheering for you.”
In 2024, Claire helped lead several GRIT (Girls Riding Together) events that brought even more riders into the fold. “We wanted to show that GRIT isn’t just a tent and stickers—it’s impact, it’s energy, it’s belonging,” she says. With water balloon fights, potlucks, and a season-ending GLOW party, the GRIT team created space for everyone—girls and boys—to show up and join in.
An Emerging Leader
To Claire, leadership isn’t about being the best on the course—it’s about making others feel welcome. “It’s about wearing a Hawaiian shirt and running around yelling about events. It’s being the leader I wish I’d had when I was younger.”
“Being a leader in GRiT means embarrassing yourself so others feel comfortable. ”
Looking ahead to her senior season, Claire hopes to grow the reach of GRIT and PICL even more. “If I could change one thing, it would be getting more kids—and especially more girls—on bikes,” she says. “With GRIT, none of that racing pressure matters. It’s all about community and having fun.”