Green River Classic: Inside Mountain Biking's "Best Weekend of the Year"
As the glitz and glam of Red Bull Rampage fades and much of mainstream mountain bike media goes dark until the new year, one final flame continues to burn bright in the Utah desert—keeping the freeride underground lit, if only for a little while longer.
Part chaotic camping trip, part mountain bike Burning Man, and 100% raw freeride retreat. The Green River Classic is much more than just another fun-filled weekend riding bikes with your buddies. Brought to you by cult-favorite freeride crew In The Hills Gang, the GRC, as it’s affectionately known, has become the beating heart of modern freeride events—a unique opportunity for riders from across the globe to come together and celebrate the culture, camaraderie, and creative freedom that defines freeride mountain biking itself.
Hand-built entirely by riders, for riders, and far from the spotlight of the mainstream industry, the GRC stands as a genre-defining, one-of-a-kind event—a pillar of creativity, progression, and community that seeks to play a key role in cultivating the next generation of freeriders.
Photo: Graham Fee
WHO IS ITHG?
In the Hills Gang (ITHG) is a crew of American freeriders and friends leading the charge in building and supporting mountain biking’s ever-growing freeride scene. Originally hailing from Reno, Nevada, what started as a crew of passionate friends has quickly become one of the leading forces in modern mountain bike culture.
Taking an all-for-one-and-one-for-all approach, ITHG operates as a collective focused on hosting community-driven events, producing full-scale media projects, partnering with value aligned brands, and sustaining their work through a self-produced merchandise line—using a DIY approach to fund events, create media, and push progression without relying on traditional industry gatekeepers.
At its core, ITHG exists to push progression, preserve the spirit of freeride, and support the sport’s up-and-coming riders. By creating platforms and community like GRC, ITHG seeks to amplify emerging talent, create a more inclusive culture rooted in long-term sustainability, and continues to be a global leader of what the future of mountain bike culture looks like.
Photo: Will Berger
WHAT IS GRC?
In the early days, Green River Classic was little more than a camping trip amongst friends designed to blow off steam after the collegiate downhill season ended and before midterm exams came around. Since then, GRC has quickly become a progressive platform where riders can elevate themselves to the highest levels of the sport regardless of who they know or where they come from. Drawing riders from around the world, GRC puts amateur riders and top pros together on sessions at some of the world’s premier freeride spots. With a focus on community and an open jam-style format, the competition takes a back seat to individual progression and fostering good times.
GRC stands alone as the world’s first open-registration, all-inclusive freeride mountain bike event. This revolutionary approach has created a space where riders can progress without barriers—an environment that has directly shaped the trajectory of riders who have gone on to win Red Bull Rampage, earn Natural Selection invites, and become key pillars of the sport’s biggest brands. Additionally, GRC has helped support some of mountain biking’s most exciting young talent independently of any brand that still claims to be doing the same.
At its core, GRC exists to support the next generation of mountain biking’s best and brightest through genuine connection and authentic representation. GRC gives riders a platform to push themselves and progress the sport, but does so with a unique focus that is far more about the things that make you say “fuck yeah!” than it ever is about taking first place.
Photo: Graham Fee
WHAT MAKES GRC SPECIAL?
Once a year, In The Hills Gang gets the whole crew together to celebrate another great riding season as only we know how to: by camping, riding bikes, and of course throwing a massive party in the middle of the desert for a few hundred of our closest friends.
With all-inclusive jump jams spread across this iconic freeride zone, the GRC delivers 72 straight hours of freedom and freeride. From taking on spots and lines pioneered by legends of the sport to hyping each other up regardless of skill level, GRC is our love letter to freeride mountain biking and the community therein.
When the sun goes down, the party doesn’t stop—live music around the bonfire, never-before-seen glimpses of unreleased video projects, and more raucous fun than you can shake a marshmallow-covered stick at is all fair game. From big mountain night laps to the classic hijinks that come with putting 300 mountain bikers all in one place, the GRC is as much about community as it is about competition. Camped all together at the zone, riders wake up each morning to one of the world’s premier freeride destinations, buttered up and ready to ride.
Ride, party, repeat is the name of the game and turns a few days in late October into what is almost unanimously touted as “the best weekend of the year.”
To stay connected, support the crew, or learn more about ITHG check us out on instagram: @inthehillsgang or head to www.inthehills-gang.com.