A Bancroft farming couple has turned their passion for dirt bikes into podium finishes on the national hill climbing circuit, proving that determination and hard work can take riders from local trails to championship competitions.

Karson Lloyd, who grew up in Bancroft, and his wife Emmy have both found success in the Professional American Motorcyclist Association Hill Climbing circuit. Emmy, who had never touched a dirt bike before meeting Karson, now frequently finishes at the top of the women’s field and sometimes outpaces male riders in open competition.

Karson’s racing roots run deep. His father, David, started Lloyd’s Performance in the 1980s for snowmobile drag races, and Karson grew up surrounded by engine modifications and the adrenaline of racing. Safety concerns eventually led David to transition the family from snowmobile racing to dirt bike hill climbing.

Karson began racing seriously at age 13. After returning from a two-year church mission in Baltimore, Maryland, he met Emmy on a blind date in 2019. Emmy grew up in eastern Oregon with no dirt bike experience, but she quickly embraced the sport and began competing within a year. By 2020, she was earning podium finishes.

Karson said teaching Emmy to ride in Nevada’s sandy deserts was especially challenging, but she refused to give up and adapted quickly.

“It doesn’t matter how old we get, we need to let go of the fear of trying new things,” Emmy said.

Both racers compete for Team Petersen Lloyd’s Performance, one of the highest-profile hill climbing teams in the country. The opportunity has brought podium finishes and invitations to race at world championships.

“To explain our story, we just love dirt bikes, love going fast and love racing,” Karson said.

For Emmy, the sport has become more than a weekend hobby. Racing has become a family pastime that has strengthened their bond.

“It’s hard at times to juggle racing along with our two kids,” Emmy said. “But we make it work and it’s really fun to be together and do something more exciting than just camping.”

The racing season keeps the couple busy from May through July, along with managing their family farm in Caribou County and caring for their two young children.

From the quiet trails and fields of Caribou County to the national hill climbing stage, Karson and Emmy Lloyd are proving that hard work pays off when determination meets expertise and a deep love for the sport.