Gear Grinders
Gear Grinders are the co-ed middle school and high school level mountain bike teams for students who attend private or public schools operated by Bainbridge Island School District. The teams operate under the rules and insurance of the Washington State Student Cycling League. The Bainbridge Island Mountain Biking Club (BIMBC) provides financial support to the teams.
The League promotes the sport of Cross-Country riding and Cyclo-Cross for all students and Enduro racing for Intermediate and Advanced riders. The Gear Grinders stress team spirit, having fun, being safe, building fitness and skills, and giving back to the community.
Spring 2024 Registration is NOW!
Bainbridge Island Gear Grinders connects students in grades 6-12, who share a passion for mountain biking. We help our students focus on the development of skills, fitness, strength and endurance through a variety of drills and ride locations.
Races staged by the Washington Student Cycling League (WSCL) are held in various locations across Washington and take place on Sundays in April, May and June in the Spring Season and September and October in the Fall Season.
Parents are responsible for transportation — or getting their students to pickup points — and arranging carpools to and from training rides and races.
Please email the Coaches with your inquiry for Spring 2024. Registration started on January 15.
Also be sure you are on our mailing list by reaching out to Coach Aaron Claiborne (aclaiborne17@yahoo.com) or Coach Karl Fritzsche (karlfritzsche831@gmail.com). Follow us on Instagram @BI_GearGrinders and join the private Gear Grinders Facebook Group.
Spring Season 2024 Schedule is here. Schedule and locations are subject to change.
Get involved - Volunteer for a position during the Spring Season 2024 here.
2024 Spring Race Season
The two Gear Grinders teams (middle & high school) will be in the Spring Season put on by the Washington Student Cycling League. See the Spring Season Race results here.
Steps to Become a Gear Grinder in 2024
Step 1: Attend an Open Ride and/or Information Meeting
If you wish to ride with the team in Spring 2024, we will guide you to register with the Washington Student Cycling League (see below). Registration for Spring 2024 Season is on January 15, 2024.
Step 2: Email to Obtain Confirmation of a Team Slot
If you are interested in joining, please email us Coach Aaron Claiborne (aclaiborne17@yahoo.com) or Coach Karl Fritzsche (karlfritzsche831@gmail.com). Sign up as soon as you can because the team may have to establish a waitlist if the total of returning and new riders exceeds the support from coaches and volunteers.
Our roster can fill up quickly, at which point we place interested riders on a waitlist.
Step 3: Register with the Washington Student Cycling League and Pay WSCL Dues
Once you’re confirmed via a Gear Grinders Coach, you will be provided a code (by your coach), which will allow you to register with the Washington Student Cycling League. This is required to be part of Gear Grinders.
You will register for either the Bainbridge HS team (grades 9-12) or Bainbridge MS team (grades 6-8). You must be in grade six as of September to qualify for the middle school team.
The WSCL fee for students is $265 for the Spring 2024 season, which includes league insurance and race fees.
Step 4: Pay Gear Grinders Team Dues
Team dues for students for the Spring 2024 season via BIMBC Gear Grinders is $120. We prefer payment through Pay Pal which is processed by Bainbridge Island Mountain Biking Club. Use the donate button below and on the "Instructions to Merchant" line, put the name of the student.
You may also pay by check:
The check for your season team dues should be made out to “Bainbridge Island Mountain Biking Club.”
Please put “Gear Grinders” on the memo line of the check.
Mail to:
Scott Westerhout
12327 Arrow Point Loop NE
Bainbridge Island, WA 98110
Scholarships & Loaner bikes
BIMBC strives through fundraising to make the Gear Grinders accessible to any interested students. Please contact us if the fees are a barrier to participation. No bike? No problem? If you are interested in riding with the Gear Grinders but currently lack the right equipment to do so, we can help. We have a handful of bikes to lend out. Contact us if your child is interested, but currently lacks a mountain bike with front fork suspension.
