Crossing the finish line.
When Kobe first walked through the doors of Bearings’ drop-in program in 2018, he had no idea he would one day be cheered across the finish line after completing his very first competitive mountain biking race.
Kobe began the 2021 mountain biking season with a mile-time of around 18 minutes. By mid-season, he had nearly cut that time in half! He persevered through every practice and race but was still unable to finish the first four races of the season due to time limits. Despite the challenges he faced, Kobe pushed through, gaining speed and confidence as the season went on. By the end of the season, he was completing his mile time trial in under 9 minutes. When he crossed the finish line at the final race of the season, it was so rewarding to see the pride and sense of accomplishment in Kobe.
Kobe came to Bearings as a shy teenager, just hoping to earn a bike, but he has gained so much more. His confidence, perseverance, and skills on and off the bike are evident daily at Bearings. And while it’s inspiring to see the impact our programs have had on Kobe, it’s just as rewarding to see the impact Kobe has had on Bearings whether as a participant, program coach, teammate, or friend.
