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I got addicted to BMX racing last summer in England. I found it to be a great training tool for 4X and it was too fun!
When I got to Vegas the tracks were closed for the winter, but they re-opened in the spring and the season was on! I only take races one at a time and try to improve each race. Learn something at the last race, improve for the next.
I started my BMX season in April and now it's mid-June and I'm happy to report that, to date, I'm 14-0 for wins! They haven't come easy by any means, so I apologize if I'm making it sound like I just walked in and took the wins. I paid for them every step of the way.
The latest run to my BMX season had me at the Father Day Race at the Nellis BMX track. With tempratures hovering in the 115 area and the sun, ready, willing, and able to cook anybody brave enough to expose some skin, Las Vegas geared up for the King of Vegas Series, the Father's Day race, and the local points series.
At one point during a lull in my practice, I went to take my helmet off with my barehands and found it too hot to touch. I rode over to my truck, put my gloves on, then took the helmet off. A blanket of steam came off with the helmet (or, at least it felt that way) and I set the helmet to the side in the shade of my truck.
A friend of mine, who happens to be air craft sheet metal guy from the nearby airport, had a surface temprature sensor in his car. A quick reading of my helmet: 145 degrees on the surface.
145 degrees!!!!!
No wonder I couldn't touch the helmet to take it off. After a few minutes in the shade it was down to a more managable 122 degrees, so I popped it back on in an effort to cook my head before the sun went down and the racing began.
I got the holeshot every race despite my rear hub basically giving up the ghost. It almost sounds like it's running on hope alone. (Time for a new Sun Ringle 4Stroke Rear HUB!!!!! www.sun-ringle.com)
I had to go back to back motos running both the Father's Day race and the local series and it was starting to take it's toll. Thank God the finals came when they did. I was out of water, over-heated, and starting to stiffen up.
After two bands played (Dirty Panties and Plan B-PRETTY GOOD!) it was finals time.
My gates felt great all night and this one was no different. I pounded through the random start, through the first straight and into the first turn. I got a bit goofy footed in there and lost my position to the 2nd place guy. I tried to play catch up, but he really managed his space well and kept me just behind him then it happened. He slowed down in a berm and I slammed the gas down. I took a high line over his low line then powered over the little step up then jumped the table, then off to the finish line and a hard earned win.
What a great night of racing and I can't wait for the Deer Valley, Utah race!
BMX has indeed helped me in the mountain bike area. I'm taking lines faster, the jumps are smoother, and I've re-learned how to attack a track.
If you're a racer and you're looking to improve your racing or just looking for some fun, please check out your local BMX track. A good racing worthy BMX isn't expensive (compared to a mountain bike) and the cost to race is usually cheap. Real cheap. I pay 6 bucks for a points race.
Check out the ABA and NBL web sites for a track near you!
Thank you very much for your support and taking the time to read this blog!
Bob Burnes
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