A "First Generation" BMXer

I began racing a 20 inch in 1977 on a serpentine "switchback" down hill track that was unsanctioned. There were no sanctioned tracks near me. But a racer from California moved to town, and just built a track and held races. The dude made me wear a helmet, so I raced wearing a baseball batting cage helmet. My bike was a Schwinn Tornado (stingray).
I began sanctioned racing starting at 12 years old in 1979. I raced between 1979 - 1984 (NBL) just when the sport exploded in popularity. I am that "Average Joe" from that era.
Itasca BMX , my local track (Itasca, Illinois), was 50 to 70 motos for local races (I have since been contacted by other Itasca friends who say the average moto count was at least 100). I do recall vividly my age class was huge. To win a local race meant you were better than 20 - 40 kids your exact age, and classification. I upgraded my Tornado before my first race with a PK Ripper frame, My bicycle at my first race was a 30 + lb mag wheeled coaster brake setup, on the PK, but still sported the Schwinn Stingray (Tornado) fork. I improved my race bike from individual parts, one at a time until I had racing parts of that era. I bought those from skipped school lunches and chore money.
Some gates at the other local tracks were still wood in 1979, and "hand dropped" with the starter giving the cadence. ("riders ready, pedals set!") Courses were 100% dirt, rough, dusty, and had some flat dirt turns etc.. We raced in the mud, and I loved it.
I never cared about titles or points chasing. I was in it for the fun and the personal challenge.
Later, I raced for a little bike shop called 'Double L'.

1988 - 1990 I returned to racing (ABA). This was still "flat pedal" racing. I did not seek anything but physical fitness and a chance to build on 5 previous years of skills. The tracks still had flat dirt turns (I miss those), and still raced in the mud occasionally. Tracks at that time in my area had obstacles no fast rider could ever "pump" or "speed jump". Riders were forced to jump some obstacles if expected to win. I loved this period of racing the most because I was a jumper. My favorite race was winning a "State Championship" event in my class. I did not win a plate by points, because I did not travel. But I beat the guys that had those small numbers. I placed top 3 in several other big events.

I started racing again briefly in 2002 (ABA) on a 20 year old Race Inc cruiser frame and fork. This 3 event stint ended very quickly with a crash and injury. I did not think I would race ever again. I thought then that I was "too old for the risk".

I returned to racing a 20 inch October of 2014 at 47 years old to "get back into shape". I have a totally new philosophy about racing. When it comes to the NEW tracks, I am a Novice. If BMX had an old man's "softball league", I think that would describe my level of interest, caution, and participation. I am racing an older 2007 PK Ripper/Landing gear fork combo. I am having the time of my life. I love meeting other racers. Revisiting and redeploying all of the "old skills" is what I enjoy most. When I ride today, I am celebrating the sport I loved as a kid, just like any athlete loves to revisit skills of old in their favorite sport.

Presently: I am about precisely 1/2 of the racer I used to be, and I accept that. I am way-passed the idea of being expert fast in the "new era". I will never put on "clips" to gain the "push-pull" edge at the starting gate. I do not accept the facts other racers my age accept. I do not believe things like separated shoulders, surgeries placing pins, plates, and rods into bones, should be an acceptable price to win a plastic trophy. I have seen enough. But I also reject the idea of abandoning skills developed in a sport for an entire lifetime, just to quit and not modify those skills to keep on loving your chosen sport. That would be the case for Tennis, Baseball, Skiing, etc... So why not BMX too? I call it "Old Man BMX". At the end of the day no matter the finish, I believe BMX racing as a "lifetime skill" is all about having fun and staying fit on a bike. And as an "old man", its about doing it within safety limits.

I don't race much since 2017. There is not enough "old man BMXers" at my local track to make a competitive class. It seems ALL of the old sane-minded and "JUST FOR FUN" dudes ALL disappear once they win their ninth novice race, trying to avoid "Intermediate" where the dangers of equipment upgrades to build quickness have been witnessed. There is a quiet "fade-away" exodus. For me, I think the way to continue beyond the "Ninth win" is bump yourself to "Expert" to "shut-up" the National rider mentality that kills the "Old Man" fun using the smear of "sandbagging". I am one of those who make it appear like I am quitting, when I am just trying to have fun AND race safely when I know I am not fit to be riding too fast for my ability. My personal opinion is the way to go to build a continuing class of old-dudes "HAVING FUN" is just race your local for fun, and build a "softball" class around you that is "expert" at keeping sane, safe, and fun. As a "First Generation" BMXer, the beginning of this sport was all about modifications, innovations, and "tweaking". "Tweaking" what appears now as an old dude approaching an age where the sport is in a decline and participation in his age group non-existent, "innovation" is perfectly natural and should be expected for racers of my generation.

My future in racing: I refuse to race 10 year olds, and I refuse to race old men willing to race in a manner known to increase the likelihood of separated shoulders and broken bones. I do respect the skill, tenacity, and dedication of racers my age at the top of their game winning nationals. I love watching them. But most of us are not willing to take that risk, and the moto numbers are proof. No family provider should threaten their family's welfare for losing their sanity in this adrenaline fueled sport desiring a plastic trophy. My battle-cry is "Put a governor on that engine, dude, so we can be racing together a year from now!" I know for sure there are other "1st Generation" racers and sane-minded dad's out there who would love to race safely. I hope to take a lead role in that area at my local track. I will hang around practice to race those guys when they show. And when they do show, I will most likely enter with a version of that first Schwinn Stingray or my 80's bike (as seen in my 2016 profile picture). It would be unfair, and un-sportsman-like to enter a race against an experienced but un-practiced rider, or brand new rider, without providing a "handicap" of some sort. Maybe even a delayed "One-foot start" at the gate. Not to show off, but as a self-handicap. There are sports out there with competitive "sportsmanship" handicaps like Golf or Bowling. I know motorcycle motocross stories where the "old pro" racers have been known to enter local amateur races on less than perfect vintage equipment for the same purposes: Keep competition close to prevent less-practiced racers from being demoralized and discouraged, and keep the more practiced rider challenged and engaged. It is also especially fun just to see how close I can come to the modern bikes on that old stuff.

I hope to see more of the "1st Generation" (Old School is just such a bad description) guys on the track :) I will give you a fair handicap to make it fun. No equipment will be used by me that increases the likelihood of you not being able to provide for your family. Safe, sane, and fun! Innovating as a "First Generation" racer, trying to make it a LIFETIME sport.

Much love! Peace out!