i want to ride the yamaha gold cup track from the 70's with the hay bales, portable berms and water jump.......on a stingray.
mike
Full Version: Would you race again if they built 80s style tracks?
I think it would be cool to add 80's characteristics to a modern track. Maybe make the last straight jump-free to encourage a sprint finish.
yeah cornfed, shows who has gas left in the tank.
mike
mike
Nah they still would coast the last straight. I would love to ride an 80's track again. Those were the days that tracks were different in different parts of the country. Always a new challenge at a new track. Now their all the same. Plus we never had a real track in the early 80's and would just dream about the pics in Action. We had temporary tracks that would be torn down every week for the motorcycle TT races. We never had any berms, can you imagine all of us getting excited about riding a berm? My idea for my track is a split section being old school new school rather than big jump pro section.
Changstar
Changstar
I just felt like bump'n this one... 
Jim, I was out to the track with Bramer a couple of weeks ago. We talked about how we liked the track better back then. I was shocked how hard it is now. There was a young girl who was tearing the track up like it was nothing. I guess it will always be better how we remembered it. At least we were fast back then. I do think all of the jumps at the finish line are lame. I passed a lot of guys right there who were out of gas.
Man did you open a can of warms with this jim.My opinion is just make the jumps a little less challenging,you can't even really peddle the last straight at S.P. .I like to think the last part of a race is the best part next to a holeshot. Well you know what they say about opinions.
Jim, I feel your pain. I raced all of 2007 at South Park and could never give it my all because at our age, crashing really sucks! It's impossible to stay on the ground.
The first race in April of 2008 I crashed because of another rider going down ahead of me and I separated my left shoulder. The funny part is that it didn't actually hurt that bad but I could tell something was definitely wrong.
But, with that said, I can't wait for the first race next week. Call me crazy, I can't help it. I'm going out tomorrow, Sunday if the weather is nice.
Bob
The first race in April of 2008 I crashed because of another rider going down ahead of me and I separated my left shoulder. The funny part is that it didn't actually hurt that bad but I could tell something was definitely wrong.
But, with that said, I can't wait for the first race next week. Call me crazy, I can't help it. I'm going out tomorrow, Sunday if the weather is nice.
Bob
I would prefer an older 80's style track. duh.
BMX racing is firstly, about jumping and getting big air. Racing is an excuse to go to the bmx track and jump. Racing is what we have to do between practice sessions.
BMX racing is a drag race, contest of power and balls. Only recently did it become a contest of real skill. I admire these guys today and I am working on a Pump track in my back yard to attempt to catch them, but the crazy lipped basic jumps that most people can manage seem to be gone.
I'm not as old school as some here. Corona was having an apartment complex being built on it when I started racing, if I am correct. I am, however of the "Old School" and I too have been demoralized by the rhythm sections and jumps with no lips.
Before any of us started racing, we were jumping our bikes on the street in front of our house. I was jumping insane Evil Knievel style mini ramps in 1978 on concrete with no helmet on. The fact that I only started racing in 1984 was purely a matter of lack of awareness.
BMX racing is firstly, about jumping and getting big air. Racing is an excuse to go to the bmx track and jump, not to hug the ground with a fabulous display of near superhero-like coordination.
BMX has turned metro sexual.
BMX racing is a drag race, contest of power and balls. Only recently did it become a contest of real skill. I admire these guys today and I am working on a Pump track in my back yard to attempt to catch them, but the crazy lipped basic jumps that most people can manage seem to be gone.
I'm not as old school as some here. Corona was having an apartment complex being built on it when I started racing, if I am correct. I am, however of the "Old School" and I too have been demoralized by the rhythm sections and jumps with no lips.
Before any of us started racing, we were jumping our bikes on the street in front of our house. I was jumping insane Evil Knievel style mini ramps in 1978 on concrete with no helmet on. The fact that I only started racing in 1984 was purely a matter of lack of awareness.
BMX racing is firstly, about jumping and getting big air. Racing is an excuse to go to the bmx track and jump, not to hug the ground with a fabulous display of near superhero-like coordination.
BMX has turned metro sexual.
I agree with Lonewolf.
However there was some old guys today getting some sick air over some of these jumps. BMX I think is just at a completely different level now.
I feel that if the tracks were like they used to be I could be very competitive in a short time coming back.
Hey Lonewolf I have a lot of plywood and cement blocks meet me tomorrow and we'll air it out.
However there was some old guys today getting some sick air over some of these jumps. BMX I think is just at a completely different level now.
I feel that if the tracks were like they used to be I could be very competitive in a short time coming back.
Hey Lonewolf I have a lot of plywood and cement blocks meet me tomorrow and we'll air it out.
QUOTE (taylor39t @ Apr 5 2009, 07:34 PM) 
I agree with Lonewolf.
However there was some old guys today getting some sick air over some of these jumps. BMX I think is just at a completely different level now.
I feel that if the tracks were like they used to be I could be very competitive in a short time coming back.
Hey Lonewolf I have a lot of plywood and cement blocks meet me tomorrow and we'll air it out.
However there was some old guys today getting some sick air over some of these jumps. BMX I think is just at a completely different level now.
I feel that if the tracks were like they used to be I could be very competitive in a short time coming back.
Hey Lonewolf I have a lot of plywood and cement blocks meet me tomorrow and we'll air it out.
Bet.
QUOTE (Jim Stinson @ Nov 30 2005, 09:46 PM)
The subject line says it all, I've read too many posts on here where guys have grabbed a bike after 20 years and signed up for a race (or two if they were lucky) only to win a trip to the local ER. I've scoped out the track at South Park (I live less than a mile from it) and it is just too darn rad. Heck, the 'Jolly Launcher' would be a speed bump by today's standards. Maybe I just don't have the nads for it. Some would say I never did, but that's a different topic for a different day . At least now I have the excuse of having a Mon-Fri career with a wife and two kids to support. The thing I liked most about old school racing was the speed, not the air. Who remembers flying down the track at Evansville, Ind and peddling your butt off down hill and then hitting that sweeping wall of a last berm at mach 1 - that was awesome! There are plenty of other tracks I could mention.
Somewhere along the lines the sport of BMX should have said 'thank you' to our motocycle motocross big brother for giving us the ideas for a really cool sport and then we should have went our seperate ways. I think the influence of supercross has ruined the sport and it certainly shows by the number of riders that turn out for the local and national events. BMX racing was meant to be just that - a race! Supercross may be cool to some, but I just can't see BMX surviving with the way tracks are built today. I don't think I will be in a big hurry to take my son and daughter over to the track, as hard as it is for me to say so, it's just too dangerous. Sure, I know, BMX is apart of the '08 Olympics and all, but what got it to that point - we did, the roots of BMX.
Long live the open face helmet! ...with a Jofa of course.
I would love to hear your feedback.
Jim
Somewhere along the lines the sport of BMX should have said 'thank you' to our motocycle motocross big brother for giving us the ideas for a really cool sport and then we should have went our seperate ways. I think the influence of supercross has ruined the sport and it certainly shows by the number of riders that turn out for the local and national events. BMX racing was meant to be just that - a race! Supercross may be cool to some, but I just can't see BMX surviving with the way tracks are built today. I don't think I will be in a big hurry to take my son and daughter over to the track, as hard as it is for me to say so, it's just too dangerous. Sure, I know, BMX is apart of the '08 Olympics and all, but what got it to that point - we did, the roots of BMX.
Long live the open face helmet! ...with a Jofa of course.
I would love to hear your feedback.
Jim
I am a 40 year old EXPERT. I have raced for 28 years. As RAD as I thought I was BITD, If I could race my 19 yr old self, I'd beat that youngsters butt. The tracks ARE harder now, but they are still VERY fast and demand good bike handling skills. I have had my share of ER visits over the years but I have no plans to quit any time soon. I have coaxed many Dads to take up the greatest sport going. Like anything else, if you are willing to put a little time and effort into it and ride within yourself you can be successful. Obviously we have larger responsibilities now, but pad up and do your best. There is no better way to spend a weekend.
What would "Trash Can" Morgan say about today's tracks?
I was help work on our local track this weekend and we added a new rhythm sections -- I gotta admit (at the age of 36) those tight rollers made me cringe a little. I just work the nerve up for them - they are tight. I don't mind going fast, jumping high or far -- but those tight sections make me pause a little!
I always find it funny when I see footage of the old BMX tracks because there were hardly any jumps on them! I can remember when a straight would have maybe one or two jumps on them.
My only complaint with today's tracks is when there isn't much pedaling between jumps. Now tracks are so technical that you don't have to always pedal between the obstacles.
Unfortunately, I would have to disagree on going back to the 80's style tracks. All sports evolve. Today's tracks show how BMX has progressed. Your average local track is not going to look like the track from the Olympics so those of you that have your reservations about returning to the sport or getting your kids involved should not worry. BMX is a challenging sport (The challenge is what keeps me involved at age 38). You can either make it your mission to meet the challenge or you find something else less challenging (like golf)! LOL! (Now all of the golfers are going to have something to say!)
My only complaint with today's tracks is when there isn't much pedaling between jumps. Now tracks are so technical that you don't have to always pedal between the obstacles.
Unfortunately, I would have to disagree on going back to the 80's style tracks. All sports evolve. Today's tracks show how BMX has progressed. Your average local track is not going to look like the track from the Olympics so those of you that have your reservations about returning to the sport or getting your kids involved should not worry. BMX is a challenging sport (The challenge is what keeps me involved at age 38). You can either make it your mission to meet the challenge or you find something else less challenging (like golf)! LOL! (Now all of the golfers are going to have something to say!)
I was reading this and for the Pittsburgh guys, there are a couple of tracks on the state schedule that have more of an old school feel. Drake Well (Titusville) and Presque Isle (Erie) and also you have to pedal your butt off at Johnstown too since they have five straights. Here is a link for more info. www.keystonebmx.org
QUOTE (koo man @ Apr 8 2009, 10:43 AM)
I was reading this and for the Pittsburgh guys, there are a couple of tracks on the state schedule that have more of an old school feel. Drake Well (Titusville) and Presque Isle (Erie) and also you have to pedal your butt off at Johnstown too since they have five straights. Here is a link for more info. www.keystonebmx.org
Thanks koo man
Sounds like a road trip.
In a heart beat!
QUOTE (taylor39t @ Apr 9 2009, 09:32 AM)
Thanks koo man
Sounds like a road trip.
Sounds like a road trip.
I think I just missed you last Sunday, did you have the torker 280X? I'm hoping the weather cooperates on Saturday so maybe I can get in a few laps. Also gate practice starts next Monday. Maybe you would be interested in doing the state series this year with me and Bob.
Bryan
QUOTE (3rd gear @ Apr 9 2009, 07:00 PM)
In a heart beat!
Brett, for a second I thought that was Snorton's pic
Looks very similar.. (sans diaper) LOL
QUOTE (koo man @ Apr 9 2009, 04:26 PM)
I think I just missed you last Sunday, did you have the torker 280X? I'm hoping the weather cooperates on Saturday so maybe I can get in a few laps. Also gate practice starts next Monday. Maybe you would be interested in doing the state series this year with me and Bob.
Bryan
Brett, for a second I thought that was Snorton's pic
Bryan
Brett, for a second I thought that was Snorton's pic
Yes, That was me. I left the track and went down to the skate park to watch my boy. He was getting rad on his board.
My boy also likes the skate park. He is getting pretty good at it. I park right where you do so I can keep an eye out while I'm at the track that way he can do his thing and I can do mine.
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