Clint Knapp has Passed Away

I’m incredibly sad to announce that Fort Collins native Clint Knapp has passed away.

Clint suffered a cardiac event while riding with his dog, Abby, in his adopted home of Billings, Montana, on Saturday, August 22nd. He passed away Monday morning, August 24th. He was 53.

Clint was a highly accomplished mountain bike and trials rider who grew up in Fort Collins. He graduated from Fort Collins High School in 1991, and, like so many others, got his start working at Lee’s Cyclery on Laurel. He also worked construction in Fort Collins while continuing to race and ride.

Clint turned pro at a young age and raced professionally for Yeti and Dean Bikes. He finished third at the 1990 World Mountain Bike Championships in Durango, Colorado. He was featured in the 1992 Yeti catalog. His 1991 Yeti Tree Frog trials bike, now owned by James Bleakley of Black Sheep Bikes, was recently featured by The Radavist.

He remained an active part of the Fort Collins cycling community long after his professional racing career. Clint was a regular at Thursday night mountain bike rides, Tuesday night races and coached with Ciclismo. He continued riding and racing mountain bikes throughout his life.

But for all of Clint’s accomplishments on a bike, those who knew him will remember him just as much for the person he was. He was universally considered a genuinely good guy, friendly, generous with his time and someone who was always happy to ride with others.

Clint moved to Billings in 2022, where he worked as an equipment operator for the City of Billings. He also enjoyed snowboarding, cross-country skiing, hunting, archery and camping.

Clint is survived by his children, Zander and Phoebe Knapp; his parents, Cliff and Debbie Knapp; and his sister, Dana Piecuch.

A memorial will be held in Fort Collins in 2027, with the date and location to be announced next spring.

Photos and his 2022 10 Tracks playlist are below.