The GGR Team

Galbraith Gravity Racing (GGR) is a volunteer-run youth downhill and enduro mountain bike team based in Bellingham, Washington. We serve riders ages 5–18 and operate as a team, not a drop-off program or a collection of private coaches.

Our culture is built on FUN, safety, progression, and community. Riders, families, and coaches all contribute to creating an environment where athletes can grow on and off the bike.

Coaching Philosophy

GGR follows a long-term athlete development approach. We recognize that young athletes grow and mature at different rates, and that skill development, competition, and expectations should align with physical, emotional, and cognitive readiness.

We coach athletes as teammates first and racers second. Performance matters, but culture always comes first.

Race Age: How Ages Are Determined

Mountain bike racing uses race age, not a rider’s age on race day.

Race age is the age an athlete will turn at any point during the calendar year of the race season. Athletes compete in that category for the entire season, even if they have a birthday mid-season.

Example:
A rider who is 12 at the start of the season but turns 13 later in the year has a race age of 13 and competes in the U13category.

GGR Age Groups (Based on Race Age)

• U8 – Race age 7 & under

• U11 – Race age 10 & under

• U13 – Race age 12 & under

• U15 – Race age 14 & under

• U17 – Race age 16 & under

• U19 – Race age 18 & under

Adult and Pro coaches provide leadership, mentorship, and safety oversight across all groups.

How Group Placement Works at GGR

While race age determines competition category, practice group placement at GGR is determined using an athlete development model (ADM).

When placing athletes into GGR practice groups, coaches consider:

• Race age

• Racing and riding experience

• Technical skill level

• Emotional maturity and decision-making

This allows coaches to place riders in groups where they can:

• Ride safely and confidently

• Learn effectively alongside peers

• Be appropriately challenged

• Contribute positively to group dynamics

Group placements are made collaboratively by the coaching team and may evolve over time as athletes develop.

Mentorship & Youth Leadership

Mentorship is a defining feature of GGR.

Older athletes and teen coaches actively support younger riders, building leadership skills while reinforcing positive team culture. Adult coaches guide and mentor teen leaders, creating continuity from athlete to mentor to coach.

The Lead Sled Dog Principle

There’s a saying in sled-dog racing: the view never changes unless you’re the lead dog.

At GGR, development isn’t only about being “challenged” by riding up. It’s also about learning to lead within your own group.

When athletes are always chasing faster riders, they often survive rather than learn. When they are placed appropriately, they learn to manage pace, make decisions, support teammates, and take responsibility — skills that don’t develop when someone else is always setting the tone.

Using our athlete development model, coaches intentionally create environments where riders can both learn and lead. This approach may feel counter-intuitive, but it consistently produces more capable athletes, stronger mentors, and a healthier team culture.

Families Are Part of the Team

GGR is volunteer-run, and family involvement is essential.

Depending on age group and event, parents and guardians may assist with:

• Shuttling riders and bikes

• Practice and race day support

• Timing, course marshaling, and logistics

• Team-hosted race events

No mountain bike experience is required — just a willingness to support the team environment.

Safety & Expectations

Safety is central to everything we do.

All athletes, families, and coaches are expected to ride within their abilities, follow team guidelines, and support a respectful, inclusive environment at practices, races, and events.

Our expectations are outlined in the Code of Conduct, which applies to all team activities.

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