Eight-year-old Clarksville student William Benzer didn’t just ride his bike, he made history. Before turning nine, Will became the youngest rider to complete the 41-mile mountain bike race from Cool to Folsom, CA.

Will’s love for biking began as soon as he hit the pedals. Growing up in an active family that values time outside. This encouraging environment allows him to pursue this passion to the fullest. 

Will’s whole family rides, and even his sister races competitively. For Will, riding 20 miles alongside his dad became routine, so when he heard about a race twice that length, he knew he could take on the challenge.

The day of the race Will was all smiles according to his mother. At 98 degrees, with water running low, Will pushed through the hardest stretch of the journey before reaching the point where riders biked onto a boat to cross the lake. 

Apparently, this portion was extra difficult since he was unfamiliar with this part of the course. “I just kept reminding myself that I had to get to the boat,” he said.

Once there, the course grew more familiar. Will had trained on those trails with his dad, so he used that mental map to keep himself motivated all the way to the finish line.

Will’s determination is elevated by the flexibility of homeschooling, which he and his family say makes achievements like this possible. “It’s such a gift, our HST, Sequoia Grove…” his mom explained, “...being able to do school at our own pace means Will can ride in the morning, afternoon, or whenever works best. That freedom helps him train and focus in a way many traditional school students can’t.”

Will hopes to become a professional rider one day. “If you work hard at something –it shows,” he says.

His hard work was recently recognized when Congressman Kevin Kiley presented him with a special honor for his accomplishment. Though Will bashfully welcomed the praise, (he is described as a shy kid by those closest to him), his record-breaking ride was something Will did simply because he loves to ride. It will certainly serve as a proud moment for his family and for the Sequoia Grove community.

Will proves, even at such a young age, that with passion, dedication, and the freedom to grow, even the biggest challenges can be conquered – one pedal at a time.