Pete Karinen
Painesdale, Michigan
USA
ET Youth Athletic Scholar

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Pete is 13 years old and to say that he loves to compete is an understatement! His first competitive bike race began at age 5 followed by three years of racing in the Keweenaw Chain Drive mountain bike festival on a BMX bike. In the summer of 2004, Pete learned he could possibly win a mountain bike through a local \"Read to Ride" program so he got right to work. He read over 100 books and won his first mountain bike. This was the start of mountain biking for him and his entire family. Pete entered even more races, and in 2007 started competing in 14-18 mile races.

Pete’s passion for mountain biking extends to all facets of the sport - he has been actively involved with trail building (including building jumps, pump tracks, etc.) and trail maintenance.

Pete can often be found fixing the bikes of neighborhood children. At age 10, he built his own BMX bike out of recycled parts. When he isn't working on a bike, Pete's on one - participating in local mountain bike camps and riding with the Keweenaw Cycling Club.



When it comes to competing, Pete has had numerous podium finishes. Most recently, he has placed near the top in each race he has entered; including a first overall win in the Great Deer Chase - Calumet, Mi (15 mi), a third overall finish in Seeley Pre-Fat Tire Festival – Seeley, Wi (15 mi), and a third overall in the Tour da Woods - Munising, Mi (15 mi).

Pete contributes much of his success in mountain biking to his loving father who spent many

hours training with him. Together, they spent countless hours building and fixing bikes, researching equipment, and riding the trails. They have even competed against each other in many races with some interesting results!

During the winter, Pete keeps up his physical training with cross country skiing and snowboarding. He also competes in cross country ski races and is on the Copper Country Ski Tigers ski team.