My first foray into shooting with the Bear National Team kids in a racing environment came at a time of heightened stress in the world. The United States was quickly shutting down and the future of the US Race series was in question. While we were unable to finish all the racing over for the weekend as California quickly followed the lead of many other states and issued state-wide shelter-in-place orders, the weekend could still be considered a success thanks to outstanding performances from the young athletes.

The OZ Trails Fayetteville Cup was a significant two-week event, with races wrapping through the picturesque North-West Arkansas countryside. Created in partnership with the Walton family, the trail systems throughout Fayetteville and Bentonville Arkansas are world-class, leading to spectacular racing throughout the week. The pandemic thankfully did not flex its muscles throughout the race weekend, with a full race schedule taking place as planned.

The 2021 Mountain Bike National Championship in Winter Park, Colorado was one of the most significant events for Bear’s young riders since the start of the COVID-19 Pandemic. Since the start of the global shutdown, these athletes have grown and learned how to cope with a changing industry. The weekend of racing was an ample test of these young athlete’s abilities on and off the bike, showcasing their racecraft and their social aptitude in interactions with competitors and sponsors.