Poll of Maryland tracks Options

[The Riddler Al-F]

I used to live in Adelphi (approx 1 mile from College Park). I don't remember a BMX track there. However, I do remember some kind of rogue track out in the woods a couple miles or so past The Beltway Plaza. A track in College Park would have made my life easier for sure! Also there was a bike shop in College Park just before you got to Greenbelt/Beltway Plaza that exclusiely sold BMX Products. There was a lawn mower/small engine repair shop in the basement in the back. I think it was called College Park bikes (?)

I also remember a cool "lot track" In Wheaton, Md not too far from the University Video Arcade. Which reminds me there was a cool Bike shop around the corner from there in Wheaton too.

I tried racing when I was younger. I got to a track in rockville (1981ish) and another one in south PG County (Might be the Waldorf track mentioned earlier...sounds familiar) My parents just couldn't do it. I don't hold it against them, times were hard for them.

I bought my bikes with Paper route//Lawn mowing//snow shoveling $$. I had a Chrome Supergoose and later bought a used Proline (1980?) Blue and Chrome. They started out as race bikes but eventually they got heavier parts as things broke, because I did more jumping and street riding. Especially on The U of M Campus. My friends and I would tear it up in there.

The U of M Campus was like an Unnofficial "down hill" track for a few of us. You start at the University BLVD end of Campus and haul arse along the sidewalks and grass to Route 1 (The first one in Hungry Hermans was the winner!) There were big step jumps, one really huge one too that I learned to jump down by accident really (Couldn't slow down or go around because students were chilling out on the grass on the hill, jump or die). Also my Buddy Brian talked me into riding off this small approx 3 ft loading dock with him. After a few/several crashes. I got it!

It was good times back then, I remember kids everywhere on good BMX Bkes and we rode a large radious.

Sorry I got off topic, just a nostalgic moment....

This post has been edited by The Riddler Al-F: Jan 9 2009, 08:07 AM

[Walter Holda]

I dug up some Old School Rockville videos

Rockville BMX circa 1982

I voted this track the best track, partly because it was the closest track to me, but also because being in the metropolitan DC area, so many people came to this. I mean the state championchips were there. Bill Milburn ran that track for several years. I remember when he was looking for a new track, we went with him to another location which went down into a flood plain maybe near powerlines, but he didn't pick that one. Also, when this track was unveiled maybe in Spring 1980 or 81, the jumps were much higher and less groomed. That table top in the first straight, I think must have been at least 15 feet high. I got a new Panda Pro-Am frameset. I flew off that jump and cracked the welding on the forks on the first try. I remember in a moto people coasting up to that talking with each other how high it was. I think it was on that day in a practice somebody with a garage bike, flew off the jump, his front wheel fell off and he supposedly stabbed himself in the chest with the forks. Talk about hard core. Bill Milburn liked to call me "Lavalites" VonMoss, because I had those flourescent yellow BW leathers. Surprised I can't find Wild Bill Hermack in any pics.

Sweet video Bob! (IMG:style_emoticons/default/good2.gif)

I was there the day that the guy hit the table top and his front wheel flew off. He did get stabbed in the chest with the fork or at least cut up good enough for a ride in the ambulance. I remember we had to wait a long time for the EMT's to get him squared away and onto the stretcher.

I could be wrong but I think this video would have been early to mid in the 1981 season because I am riding my black Hutch (one of, if not the very first one, drilled brake bridge....sniff...sniff... [sobs like a baby]). Looks like I was getting my but kicked but might have gotten into third around the last corner/drop-off. I'm not sure what happened with that miss-start.

Was that Edgar Hernandez racing in your class? Help us out with some info on the motos if you can remember the ages and riders. Oh, and get a big shovel and keep Digging!!!


Hey Riddler. I grew up in Wheaton.

I also remember a cool "lot track" In Wheaton, Md not too far from the University Video Arcade. Which reminds me there was a cool Bike shop around the corner from there in Wheaton too.

That would of been the Northwood track just at the "T" intersection of University Blvd and Arcola Ave in Wheaton. Northwood HS was just across the street. I hung out there a lot with the Flying Wheels guys. The bike shop would have been "The Bicycle Place" which was on University Blvd right across from the old Schwinn Shop (which finally closed after all these years last summer). I used to go to both shops and drool over the bikes and BMX goodies...

I'm digging this thread! (IMG:style_emoticons/default/drinks.gif)

Walter "Tiger" Holda

[DeLuxxBmxMidWest]

Sweet video Bob! (IMG:style_emoticons/default/good2.gif)

I could be wrong but I think this video would have been early to mid in the 1981 season
I'm not sure what happened with that miss-start.

Was that Edgar Hernandez racing in your class? Help us out with some info on the motos if you can remember the ages and riders. Oh, and get a big shovel and keep Digging!!!

What is for sure:

Gude Drive landfill Rockville track was only in 1979.
The state championships for 80, 81 and 82 were at the I-270 bus station track.
From about early 1982 Larry and I were riding for DeLux BMX. In those vids we riding for System BMX.
I think in 1980 the track was only in the shape of a "U", at least in the early part of the year. (I have very brief video of this!)
My MD-2 number plate that I rode in 1979 was 159, which was the first year I registered with ABA.
My MD-2 number plate that I rode in 1980 was 80.
My MD-2 number plate that I rode in 1981 was 78.
(Larry's MD-2 number plate that he rode in 1981 was 57.)
I forget my ABA MD-2 number plate for 20" that I rode in 1982. I don't have any pics of it, because we were racing at NBL nationals so much and NBL local races, or was only racing a cruiser.
In the vids I am #78,

so this was 1981. You're right.


OK, you guys help me out. I will edit the description. This is what I know:

0:00 - 0:37
outside gate: Larry VonMoss (57) - blue/purple/white System BMX jersey
middle: Robbie Miles (3) ? - Schwinn
middle: Rocky Rice ? - blue pants, red/white jersey
inside: Chad Christy - white/red/black Atlantic cycles (smokin' in these vids)

0:16 Gotta love that roost of dust of the guy Chad drove up to the top of the berm.
0:25 Chad gets passed taking a real wide line. Miles (?) takes the moto win?


0:37 - 0:39
whoops, 2 seconds of racing
Edgar Hernandez on the outside in white jersey, blue pants
BVM inside of him, gets off balance and elbows Edgar a little accidentally.


0:40 - 1:02
Chad Christy is on the outside and takes the lead
Larry swoops in from third to second.
I have no idea who the other Schwinn guy is.
I guess Miles qualified and is not racing moto 2.

0:54 Chad learned nothing and takes that wide turn again. Larry was too far behind though and followed him outside and another guy passed Larry.


1:03 - 1:38
17 & over Expert
outside gate (8): BVM
gate 7: unknown
gate 6: empty
gate 5: empty
gate 4: Joel Linnell (Flying Wheels)
gate 3: blue/red 23? unknown local
gate 2: Edgar Hernandez (white long sleeves / denim jeans)
gate 1: unknown local

Guy in gate 7 gets squirrelly and crashes into Linnell. With that guy out I make a straight line to the center.
Hernandez had the lead, rode the guy to the top of the berm. I found an opening and went kind of high then DOVE low, passing Hernandez and everybody. I think I got so excited and adrenelin was pumping and I slipped a pedal and Hernandez passed me and took the moto win. I take 2nd.

1:39 - 2:09
14 Expert moto 3. Larry takes the lead. The other guys crash themselves out.

2:10 - 2:24
17 Expert moto 3. BVM qualifies. I love to see that controlled little slide in the third turn. So much better than Chad's line.

2:25 - 2:37
Semi? Miles, then Larry.

2:38 - 3:35
main?
There was a bad gate start. Somebody jumped? Miscue? I have no idea.
Chad Christy GETTIN' On it. DIVE.
Larry was in second, approaches the second turn on the outside, gets pushed out and passed by Miles, then WALTA HOLDA passes too! Larry picks up speed. The finish is lost in the glare and 8mm water damaged film. The guy in 5th may have passed Larry. Not sure. Have to ask Bill Milburn.


3:36 - 3:59
17 & over expert main
gate 1: BVM
gate 2: ?
gate 3: Edgar Hernandez
gate 4: ?
gate 5: ?
gate 6: Joel Linnell probably

Hernandez got the gate snap, but in about 3-4 cranks I was side by side and took the inside line and came out 2+ bike lengths in the lead. I love that little controlled slide in the second turn. Threw the whole moto off rhythm.
Smoked 17x in the main by at least 5 bike lengths.


4:00 - 4:22
LVM on BVM's nickel Mongoose ready to go home!

[Walter Holda]

Have to ask Bill Milburn.

(IMG:style_emoticons/default/unsure.gif) Really, your in touch with Bill, er... I mean Mr. Milburn?

This post has been edited by Walter Holda: Jan 9 2009, 01:22 PM

[The Riddler Al-F]

Hey Riddler. I grew up in Wheaton.



That would of been the Northwood track just at the "T" intersection of University Blvd and Arcola Ave in Wheaton. Northwood HS was just across the street. I hung out there a lot with the Flying Wheels guys. The bike shop would have been "The Bicycle Place" which was on University Blvd right across from the old Schwinn Shop (which finally closed after all these years last summer). I used to go to both shops and drool over the bikes and BMX goodies...

I'm digging this thread! (IMG:style_emoticons/default/drinks.gif)

Walter "Tiger" Holda

I think we talked before about BMX in MD a few years ago now that you mention it! (IMG:style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif) I remember one of those shops. It was Huge! I'm not sure but I think my friend bought his 83 Mongoose Pro-Class from there.

I had some good times riding from Adelphi to Greenbelt, Beltsville, to Wheaton, Sometimes Rockville (All day grind for sure) (IMG:style_emoticons/default/wacko.gif) or White Oak, Burtonsville. Today I need a road bike and 48-72hrs recovery between rides. lol

My best friend moved to White Oak and We took yurns riding to each others houses.

+1 I'm digging this thread too! (IMG:style_emoticons/default/drinks.gif)

This post has been edited by The Riddler Al-F: Jan 9 2009, 03:15 PM

[DeLuxxBmxMidWest]

I had some good times riding from Adelphi to Greenbelt, Beltsville, to Wheaton, Sometimes Rockville (All day grind for sure) (IMG:style_emoticons/default/wacko.gif) or White Oak, Burtonsville. Today I need a road bike and 48-72hrs recovery between rides. lol

You guys are funny. When I went to Univ of Maryland, I lived in Adelphi off University Blvd. across the street from graduate housing. King Kongs was down the street. I didn't get over to the track you're talking about, though I did ride down to DC on occasion on the Sligo Creek path, and my Torker cruiser frames broke into pieces shredding UM campus. I used to go to class riding down the stairs. I hooked up with one crazy Estonian guy with a cruiser. We rode the C&O Canal at night. One time it was 3AM and we ended up over south of Germantown on paths along powerlines. Guy was crazy.

[mresailor]

Awesome thread!!! Most of what you old guys (IMG:style_emoticons/default/wink.gif) are talking about is a little before my time as I started in 82 at Ho Co outdoors...

And just think - 13 plus or minus tracks in one state back then.....

[DeLuxxBmxMidWest]

Rockville 1982

Ha, I just found this. Rockville 1982. Larry is #48.

[steve smith]

I raced the columbia track in 1990 ' they had a funny pro section with a alligator floatie in the water jump .I had a pic in the american bmxr jumping the gator [wish i still had it]
The first turn jump was crazy long for bitd and no transition /landing i remember warping my rear wheel from no landing/backside.
Track was crazy long and it was like 100 degrees 100 % humidity man 3 motos ,qual.,and 3 mains were a bear that day.. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/ohmy.gif)

This post has been edited by steve smith: Jan 10 2009, 08:07 AM

[DeLuxxBmxMidWest]

Neal Allen?

Neal Allen at Rockville 1980?

Amazing how this stuff just comes out of the woodwork 29 years later!

I saw on Google Earth that Rockville BMX was plowed over for a hospital and some other buildings.