This is a GREAT story about the positive impact that youth sports can have when they are done well. This sounds like a neat program! Thanks for sharing!
October 4th, 2025 | by Sierra Putnam
Today on Quench'd, we hear from Sierra Putnam, a MTB racer in the Vermont Youth Cycling (VTYC) league. In youth sports, it can be so easy for things to get too competitive, making the focus of the sport winning instead of having fun and giving it your best effort (which is what we think youth sports should be all about. Heck, all sports should be all about that!) When we heard Sierra's perspective on racing the VTYC races, we were inspired and knew that her opinion on racing was one that we wanted to share!
Today on Quench'd, we hear from Sierra Putnam, a MTB racer in the Vermont Youth Cycling (VTYC) league. In youth sports, it can be so easy for things to get too competitive, making the focus of the sport winning instead of having fun and giving it your best effort (which is what we think youth sports should be all about. Heck, all sports should be all about that!) When we heard Sierra's perspective on racing the VTYC races, we were inspired and knew that her opinion on racing was one that we wanted to share!
My name is Sierra Putnam. I am fifteen, and have been mountain bike racing for 5 years. I have made so many friends, and became a part of a community that I was able to help build. I have so much passion for mountain biking, the trail, the woods, and the culture. It’s having each other’s backs, taking risks, pushing hard, and finding out just how far you are willing to go. I have so many fond memories of going to races, cheering on my friends, and laughing hysterically at practice.
My name is Sierra Putnam. I am fifteen, and have been mountain bike racing for 5 years. I have made so many friends, and became a part of a community that I was able to help build. I have so much passion for mountain biking, the trail, the woods, and the culture. It’s having each other’s backs, taking risks, pushing hard, and finding out just how far you are willing to go. I have so many fond memories of going to races, cheering on my friends, and laughing hysterically at practice.
Over the years with Vermont Youth Cycling, I have learned that memories don’t come from results or podiums, but the actions we took along the way. Vermont Youth Cycling was the first race series that I have ever raced in to award competitors that were kind, compassionate, thoughtful, and good teammates. When I first started racing, results were everything to me. But as the years went on, I realized that I am not my result, my title, or my photo on the podium. A title is something that slips away with time. A result is meaningless to compare. The photo is three seconds of a whole day of far more meaningful moments. It teaches us that strength is not always fighting for gold. That bravery is not always hitting the drop. It teaches us that strength and bravery also come from wanting to do the best we can for our friends, our teammates, and our fellow racers. Cheering each other on, lending a hand, and supporting each other even when it feels difficult.
Over the years with Vermont Youth Cycling, I have learned that memories don’t come from results or podiums, but the actions we took along the way. Vermont Youth Cycling was the first race series that I have ever raced in to award competitors that were kind, compassionate, thoughtful, and good teammates. When I first started racing, results were everything to me. But as the years went on, I realized that I am not my result, my title, or my photo on the podium. A title is something that slips away with time. A result is meaningless to compare. The photo is three seconds of a whole day of far more meaningful moments. It teaches us that strength is not always fighting for gold. That bravery is not always hitting the drop. It teaches us that strength and bravery also come from wanting to do the best we can for our friends, our teammates, and our fellow racers. Cheering each other on, lending a hand, and supporting each other even when it feels difficult.
I have fond memories of the first VTYC race in Ascutney. The race was really hot, but from the sidelines, racers would get water dumped on them by their coaches, parents, and peers. The prize for the race was creamies, but even if you didn’t win the prize you still went for ice cream. Many of us went to the lake after as well. We are all a team, and we are happy for each other's accomplishments. I don’t often think about the place I got in the race, but how much fun it was to spend the day in nature with my peers. Another memory is at the Kingdom, where I sat in the grass and talked to a friend and cheered on the racers. Where I warmed-up with my friends and where I heard my name being cheered as I pushed myself as hard as I could.
I remember some of my race results, like season champion or some that had surprised me. But those results, those titles I earned will never begin to fulfill the happy memories I have gathered from racing for VTYC and the community I have found and helped to build. When I look back on my years of racing, and how I have changed as a person, I realize that what defines me is the actions I took and the memories I made to become who I am. Not the titles, results, or photos of me on the podium.
I have fond memories of the first VTYC race in Ascutney. The race was really hot, but from the sidelines, racers would get water dumped on them by their coaches, parents, and peers. The prize for the race was creamies, but even if you didn’t win the prize you still went for ice cream. Many of us went to the lake after as well. We are all a team, and we are happy for each other's accomplishments. I don’t often think about the place I got in the race, but how much fun it was to spend the day in nature with my peers. Another memory is at the Kingdom, where I sat in the grass and talked to a friend and cheered on the racers. Where I warmed-up with my friends and where I heard my name being cheered as I pushed myself as hard as I could.
I remember some of my race results, like season champion or some that had surprised me. But those results, those titles I earned will never begin to fulfill the happy memories I have gathered from racing for VTYC and the community I have found and helped to build. When I look back on my years of racing, and how I have changed as a person, I realize that what defines me is the actions I took and the memories I made to become who I am. Not the titles, results, or photos of me on the podium.
Mary Gunesch
October 05, 2025
This is a GREAT story about the positive impact that youth sports can have when they are done well. This sounds like a neat program! Thanks for sharing!
VT Youth Cycling
October 05, 2025
Thank you, Sierra, for sharing your perspective on what makes youth cycling in Vermont so special. Young people like you are the next generation of cycling stewards here in VT and we’re on a great path ;-)
Keaton Smith
October 05, 2025
Thank you for reading, Mary! So happy you loved Sierra’s story and the amazing VTYC program!