Okay Here We Go,

This is my first official "Topic Posting". I hope it doesn't bore everyone to death on here. I have many questions because back when I got out of bmx I REALLY got out of the loop and moved onto things I shouldn't have moved on to but that's another story in itself. I'll just start off with a few questions and add more later I'm sure.

What ever happened to sidehacks? Why, and when, did they stop having sidehack races? Were we the only ones with big enough stones to ride them? Help me out here. Those were awesome to race and awesome to watch at races. It's a lost art as far as I'm concerned.

What ever happened to big hairy fast downhill tracks with huge jumps, fast high berms, and high speed crashes? Those were so fun to ride and, as I said about the sidehacks, fun to watch bmx racers go at it on. Corona, Rancho, Saddleback, and many more, were the most awesome tracks ever. They don't make tracks like those anymore. Do they? Well I'm going to buy some hilly land and make the hairiest track ever since those days.

Why are all the tracks nowadays smooth as a babys butt? Asphalt berms? Huh? I understand it's easier to maintain but come on man. Non-dirt berms just isn't right! NO PART OF A BMX TRACK SHOULD HAVE ASPHALT!

Well I will save my many more questions and comments for later if anyone is interested......now where the heck is my Webco with the single gusset, Redline forks, and Motomag on the front?

~mike~

Hey Mike!
I'm with you on that, the old days had some knarly s**t, Dont be down on all the new though, alot of the new tracks are pretty serious courses. I'm going to start racing this spring for the first time in 20 years and my local track is no joke. I'm a volunteer helper and will be spending some time beforhand trying to get used to the track, to be honest its a bit scarey.

Yeah I'm with you on the asphalt thing. I had been away for a long time too and was surprised to hear about tracks with paved berms. Never ridden such a track, so I'm in no position to comment. Might actually be fun to ride, but definitely a different attitude than 25 years ago.

Oh, and if you find who the heck has your old Webco, ask if he has my old Redline MXII with a Tuff Wheel on the front.

Well I didn't mean to really come across as being "down on the new". I've seen those races on the newer tracks and it's actually very impressive how technical and how fast some of those tracks are. I just missed out on how everything evolved and so I'm curious. About 6 months ago I saw a bmx track in Louisville, KY and it was a pretty cool flat track. It had asphalt berms and the rest was all dirt with a few jumps and a technical whoopdie section at the end.

Thanks for informing me "unfiitskip" that some of the new tracks are pretty serious and scarey. I guess that's why I posted this. I want to know these things. I like the feedback even if I do stir up a few hornets nests....lol.....all in good fun though. I'm not on here to offend anyone.

I wish they would make a comeback!

oh crap dude I dont think you offended anyone, I know I didnt take your post in in negative way. I hope I didnt sound all preachy.

cool cool unfitskip....no you didn't sound preachy at all bro....what you said just made me think about what some people might think when they read my post do i just wanted to make it clear........isn't it cool how i make things all complicated?....lol........doh!

........*SO i just wanted to make it clear.....(also I can't type)...........

I think sidehacks and narly downhill tracks got weeded out because of the liability.Yes those were the days but when you stop and think about it those two were very Dangerous especialy when they were both going at the same time.I raced sidehacks at La mirada and when you crashed at the bottom of that hill and got waded up with your hack and monkey,there was a really good chance of injury.not saying it wasnt fun to watch just saying the NBL /ABA were watching too and were probably thinking Lawsuit.Same thing goes for not being able to go ride a track today without being sighned up,when was the last time you saw a track open for free practice without some sort of supervision....

everything changes, OC is right, more tracks have closed due to law suits than rider count. BITD people weren't sue happy and looking for some easy money. as far as the asphalt turns, they don't feel any different and are still smooth after it rains.....less time on the couch in the winter. I started racing 29 years ago and the tracks take way more skill to make it around than they used to...

Larry and oc are right, they wouldn't dare make tracks like Merritt College and Yarnell and all the other cool downhill track that I got to race in the mid-70's. NorCal tracks were pretty hairy and we had some good tracks. I only raced in SoCal once but got to race and ride the cool tracks at the time. Plus I remember being able to ride at some of the tracks during the week. Downhill tracks were cool plus they were rough, dusty and had mud to boot. Oh well, those who raced back then remember and those who didn't can watch it on Joe Kid.

Hey Mike, there have been a bunch of threads lately about new school tracks and hacks that you will want to check out if you havent already.
http://www.vintagebmx.com/cgi-bin/ultimate...ic;f=1;t=020511

This is the only one I could find right now, If you do a little searching you could probably find some more good stuff!!

Thanks Spicoli! And thankyou everybody for your awesome feedback on this! Hey Spicoli, on aol my user name is spikolea.....Fast Times At Ridgemont.....heck ya baby........"all i need is a few buds and some tastey waves".....then hire Van Halen to play your backyard party.....

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when was the last time you saw a track open for free practice without some sort of supervision....

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OC, Our track here in Louisville is open every day of the week during racing season. On Wednesdays they have official gate practice for a few dollars. But every other day of the week its open to everyone, I guess it helps that its located in a public park.