Hello and Happy New Year Everyone,

My name is Roger Borelli and this is my first post here.
I’m now 44 years old and it’s been around 26 years since I have raced or even been on a BMX track, but I’m thinking I want to return to BMX Racing in the Cruiser Class!
I used to race in FL under FBMXA and the NPSA around Clearwater, Safety Harbor, Dunedin, and Tampa when I was 14 to 18 years old. Once I went into the 16 up. Exp I never really placed in the top 3 again and I think that’s “one” reason I stopped racing when I turned 18.
But now, I’m now interested in racing again. I still have my old BMX bike (PK Ripper), but I just think a 24” Cruiser is the bike for me now. I just need to find one that I like, is not too expensive and is durable for someone who is 5’-11’’ and around 180 – 190lbs. I’m hoping someone on this list can recommend me a good BMX Cruiser.

I now live in Santa Clarita, CA and for some reason there’s not a BMX track around me? None around here or even in the SF Valley. The closest ones are in Lancaster, Bakersfield, and Simi Valley which are all around 1 hour or more drive. Does anybody have any info on any BMX tracks around the Valencia-Van Nuys area?
I know I will need a lot of track practice to get back into form and with the tracks at least 1 hour away and there not open 24/7 like they were back in FL, I would like to find a closer track to at least practice on.

My first BMX bike was a blue Schwinn Competition. I raced it for a few years and then I ended up cracking the fame on the down tube right behind the head tube. I had it re-welded, but it cracked again so my parents bought me my second bike in June 79 and that was a SE PK Ripper. I still have that bike and it’s a PK Ripper with the round top tube. The bike is in good shape (no-cracks or re-welds), but it just seems small to me now and I’m thinking I might want to try and sell it so I can get a 24’’ BMX Cruiser.

Here is a old newpaper image of me racing at St. Pete track on my Schwinn. I'm number 119.


Here's a image of my Pk Ripper as it looks now.


Thanks for taking the time to read this.

-R

Welcome to the site Roger! I used to race Dunedin and Tampa back in '82-'83. Man, I loved Dunedin! I was never any good, but I loved riding and that was enough for me.

You PK looks great, very cool that you have hung onto it for all of these years.

I don't keep up with the current BMX scene, but you are in the right place to find out what you need to know about returning to the track.

A word of warning... this site is addictive, I spend entirely too much time here.

Welcome to the site, great story!

I wouldn't sell it, you'll regret it later if you get back into the swing of things.

Here's a link to find your closest track.

Tracks near you!


Have fun and take care!

Thanks Clavicus2000!
I actually joined this site almost a year ago.....I just never posted. I do read it it a lot!

-R

Thanks for the link Thumperpilot, but I already seen that. That's where I found the Lancaster, Bakersfield, and Simi Valley tracks.

I'm not really sure I want to sell my PK Ripper, but all it's doing now is collecting dust in the garage. I don't really think I want to race a 20'' bike anymore because they just feel.....small to me.

-R

Welcome and great looking PK!

I just got back into this again about a year ago. I started racing a cruiser recently and bought a box-stock SE Floval Flyer brand new. It was resonably priced and has decent components. It also rides pretty darned nice. In fact, I just raced my first national on it.

There are a handful or nice bike under $500 that you can buy complete and feel safe going out and racing on. The Floval is one of them.

Thanks for the info on the Floval Flyer. I have looked at it on-line and the idea of a good bike under $500 sounds good to me.
Chris, you said you just raced your first national on the Floval Flyer. How did you do and what age class were you in?

-R

Be sure to check Redline and Intense complete cruiser as well. Good stuff for sure!

SMALL WORLD......

Hey Roger that is me in front of you #66

I just started riding again last year and have been riding a 24 but may go back to a 20...it's a toss up....do you have any more pictures from back in the day?

DON'T sell your old bike.....you will regret it.....as I did

Vaughn McIntire

R,

Welcome to the site! I will join in and say what the others have said. DON'T SELL YOUR BIKE. YOU WILL REGRET IT. You already have what I am trying to build. The bike from my childhood. Pick up a 24" complete and start to ride again. But keep the SE.

Thanks but so far on-line I have looked at SE, DK, GT, MCS, Redline, Intense, and Kuwahara. Some of them even have several 24'' bikes. I also need to research gear ratio and crank lengths too.

-R

Hey Vaughn - I was wondering if anybody on this site was one of the other racers in that image!
I have some more pics, I will need to scan them, but there not very good quality.
I have read your FL threads here.....good stuff!
What make/model is your 24 and why did you pick that one?
I just don't know about my PK Ripper.....

-R

Thanks Jeremy.
As I said above, I'm just not sure what I'm going to do with my PK Ripper. I was going to ride it around on the street last weekend and found out my rear 16t freewheel seems to be broken. It's spinning both backwards AND forwards. It's slipping every-now-and-then. It's a old bike and if I'm going to keep it, the freewheel needs replacing and all the bearings need cleaning/replacing and I should get a new chain. Plus, I'm a lot bigger (fatter) now and would worry I would crack/brake something if I tried to race it again. That's why I'm thinking of selling it.
I found a letter a few weeks ago at my parents house in FL from SE dated 1979. It said the following:
"Your Ripper with the round top tubing is an early model, only 600 made. Sincerely, Seth Buccieri."
This is a main reason why I'm afraid to race my Ripper again, I don't want to brake it. I have seen a lot of Rippers on this site that have cracked behind the top of the seat post. I would hate to do that to mine now that I'm around 190lbs!

-R

welcome roger, we've probably raced each other before but not sure. i'll be 44 at the end of march and raced the same tracks/sanctions as you. definately keep that PK as they are quite rare. i'm waiting for the day i can purchase a GJS like the one i had BITD. you're lucky to have kept yours.
mike

Hey Mike,
Thanks for the welcome!
I have a few old photos of me racing that maybe your in one of them. There not very good photos but when I get the time I will post them.
Another reason I'm thinking of selling my PK is trying to convince my wife I need another bike even thou I have my PK and a Mongoose 26 MT Bike.
To her, 3 bikes are to many and take up to much room in the garage. she's also not to happy about me going back into racing....she thinks I will get hurt.

-R

WELCOME! I could make you a great deal on a killer Supercross, but it's a better bike for someone
5-6 to 5-9

Thanks cheez, but I'm 5-11 and now weight around 190lbs so I think your bike would be to small fopr me.
I have looked at the 24 supercross frames and I do like them....just not really sure how much a complete bike would cost.

-R

I’m here in the valley and unfortunately there are no more Valley Tracks thanks to land and Real Estate Developers. Devonshire Downs and the Teen Center and similar tracks are long gone. Simi is where it’s at now my friend. Every Tues, Wed, 5:30 to 8:00 PM I am there. $5.00 to practice with your ABA card. They wont let you on the track unless you have your ABA card. Friday nights and Sunday night race days. $10.00

I guess the days of going to the track on any day of the week and practicing for free is long gone......

-R

roger, take it easy on your comeback. i ended up tearing my acl about five years ago at the st pete track. it's ok though because i'd been living with a partial tear for years and i'm not done riding yet. i was riding an old school bike when it happened so the need for current equipment is a must. i'm really looking forward to seeing your old school pics.
take care,
mike

Hey msalyers - another reason I'm thinking of selling my PK is to not only buy a new 24 bike, but I also need to buy a new helmet, goggles, gloves, elbow pads, shoes, and knee/shin pads. I don't want to get hurt.....I still have my "day-job" I need to go to so I can pay all my bills.
Speaking of shoes, is anybody wearing shoes/boots with good ankle supports?

I will try to up all my images by the end of this weekend.

-R

I wish I could dig up all the old posts of people who sold their old bikes and regretted it. In the hundreds, for sure!

You'll keep it not to ride, but for the memories. I'd sooner sell the mountain bike if I were you, than that.

But after all that...if you do decide to sell, sell it to a member here rather than ebay so you'll at least have a chance at buying it back if you change your mind later.

your pk is super rare. especially due to the round top and only 300 made minus the the ones that may have broke and got tossed. i'd put it away and forget about it but thats me. two years ago i had 13 bikes, a lot of them i bought from thrift stores and flea markets and such. there's stuff out there, just takes a little looking around. at the thrift store i found an '85 PK, a gt made robinson, haro expert, nishiki mtb, nashbar mtb. each bike was in the forty dollar range. if you want new school i'd check the local track for some used newer gear. i got my sons redline junior for 100 bucks at the st pete track from a kid who only rode it for two months.
good luck,
mike

Actually, no, many ABA tracks in Georgia are in parks and open 24/7, alas minus the gate. Also heard some Tennessee tracks as well. Wish we had that here.

It dont matter if you ride the PK or not, but dont sell it, and for kicks, how many PM"s have you had to trade etc?

Hey agentheinz - if I do decide to sell my PK, I will post it here in the "for sale" section.
I might get rid on my Mt bike too....I really just want one bike.

-R

i bet he got alot of offers but keep it thats a nice ride

I wish we had that here too! I looked at the websites of the tracks near me and only have practice days....and there usually in the evening only two days a week. I will need to bring my bike and gear with me to work for me to make it in time to practice. It does not make sense to me why the tracks could not be open on the weekend when there are no races....???
So far, no one as made any offers on my PK.....but I still have not said I'm 100% going to sell it. As I said above, when I do decide to sell it, I will post it in the "for sale" forum.

-R

If you want, just haul your mountain bike out to practice and get some laps that way. You wouldn't be the first guy to start out that way.

Inexpensive 24" completes are all over. Start by checking with your local bike shop and see if they have any deals, or the night you go out to the track, you might very well find one for sale. Ebay and Craigslist have also provided deals in the past.

Look for, on your 24" buy, V brakes and a threadless headset. For gearing you'll want about a 39/17 or 41/18 on 1.75 tires. Sealed bearings are better than open bearings, but don't loose too much sleep on this point. Rule of thumb based on what you typed, you'll want a 21" to 21.5" top tube.

Now, to be clear, I love my frame(s), I love my setup, but when just starting out something fairly generic is perfect because you'll want to tweak it as you get back into the swing of things. After you've got enough experience to start bitterly complaining about fellow competitors, track operators and sanctions you'll have a good handle on what kind of setup you like. (/sarcasm)

Check with the track, but most ABA tracks offer a "first race free" program, where your first day out is on the house, or costs $1 at most. Haul your 26 out there early, sign up on cruiser, get some gates, have some laughs (take it easy and just be moto fill) and that'll be a cheap way to get your groove back. To be a cool guy, sign up a membership with that track so they get the new member points. While a full face is a great idea, for that initial comeback any bike or skate helmet will work. Wear gloves, pack a cooler with drinking water and throw a chair in the trunk as well. Sunscreen man, sunscreen!

While you're there, put the word out you're looking for a cruiser and you'll be beating off suitors with a stick.

See you at Rockford and Grands.

Enjoy.

Thanks for all the advice Elvis!
My MT bike is a 15 speed and they will let me race that? Wow, I don't remember seeing any racing with those. I thought you only could race with a single speed bike?

-R

Multispeeds are fine (as are front brakes). Once in a great while a track will have a local rule disallowing such things, but it's very rare.

Every year there's at least one 4x mountain bike racing cruiser at Grands.

While you're welcome to change gears while underway, most just find a gear that works and leave it there. Mountain bikes would be more popular, but they weigh more than the typical cruiser, and on the XC bikes the geometry can be problematic. Which reminds me.....

Cautionary note: Depending on your bikes setup, you do have to worry about it poking you from behind and flipping you over the bars as you hit the backside of whatever. This has gotten at least one board member, and almost got me the first time I tried it. Obviously lower your seat all the way, but also take it super-easy your first gate to make sure bike geometry and your riding style are in alignment. BMX bikes as a rule-of-thumb are lower (greater standover room) to avoid this problem.

Come to think of it, if there's one big mistake come-back guys make, it's that they go out on the track racing like they remember themselves being from times past and get broke off. _Ease_ up on the come-back. I can't stress this enough. What seems to happen is people take it easy right at first, and then around the third or fourth track day decide "I'm back baby!" and try to bust out a ____ over the _____, fall, and decide maybe BMX wasn't such a good idea after all.

Wow - lot's of good info Elvis!
What I really would like to do is just take my bike to a track on either a Sat or Sun and ride it around for half a day. I don't want to have to buy a helmet or gloves right now. I know enough not to go balls out and split my head open, but at least I would be able to tell if I "really" want to spend the time and money getting back into BMX Racing.
The tracks closest to me only have practice 2 nights a week and you need to join the ABA.
As I said before, I used to be able to go to my local FL BMX track (Clearwater/Safety Harbor) and ride around with any bike and without any safety gear.
Were suppose to have a lot rain this weekend so maybe next week I will go out to the Simi track and check out the scene.

Thanks again for your advice!

-R

Dude, if you ignore anything else, do not ignore this: Get a helmet. You can get a cheap skateboard helmet for < $30 at a discount store, and the problems it will save will be endless.

I can not count how many times I've seen guys come out to our local track, or the skatepark, whatever, older guys, Dads, who were "just going to ride around a little" and wind up knocking themselves out. It takes surprisingly little to create a life-threatening injury and can be done in the flash of a second. I've seen it time and again.

When you get more experience you can decide if you're up for a helmet in a particular ride (I'm running an errand here in a few minutes and probably won't wear one), but just getting back into it you're likely to not appreciate a given set of circumstances until the paramedic is shouting to ask if you have any allergies.

You want gloves because the thing that hits right after your head are your hands.

Point taken....thanks Elvis.

-R

Roger,

here is a picture taken with my camera later on in the race.....

He Vaughn - I can't tell from that pic if I'm in the background.....it looks like I might be in 3rd....but I'm not sure....

-R

Here's some of my old-school racing pics. There not real sharp or clear (mother was taking them and we had a real bad box-like camera).

The first one is me (Red helmet) racing at Safety Harbor track (FBMXA)back in April 1978.


This one is me (wearing the yellow/green Hulk shirt - people on this board might remember that) and my younger brother Mike, jumping our bikes on the second jump at Safety Harbor track after the race April 1978.


This one is me (red helmet) racing I think at Clearwater track (FBMXA) back in April 1979.


The next 3 images is a race at Dunedin track (NPSA). Not sure of the date, but judging that I'm riding my Schwinn Comp, it was before June 79.
I'm wearing the Red helmet with the pie-plate number 120 and these 3 pics are from the last race.
In the first pic I'm about tied in 2nd place.
In the 2nd pic I'm now in 3rd place.
In the last pic I'm back in 2nd place and I believe I got 2nd over all that day. I was one of 3 riders in my class.






-R

those pics bring back a lot of memories. i was still living/racing in brandon fl when your pics were taken. i didn't start racing those tracks til about august of '79. i loved the dunedin track,wonder what became of it. keep them pics coming roger!
mike

Sweet Pics.....looks like that may be grant pannicione in the green shirt on the outside....
Dunedin track is still within a park...but no signs of the track.....

when did you go to dunedin vaughn? was the ground leveled? of all the tracks i've been on, that's one i miss the most.need more pics roger!
mike

About a year ago

The ground is still there but don't think any of the hills are though it was over grown....

Yeah...Dunedin is probably near the top of my list also

No new pics this week, sorry....between having to work Sat and watching football I did not get the time. I will try to post more next weekend.
As far as Dunedin track, I really did not think they kept it up. Look at the pics with all the grass growing all over it. If fact, I think most of the tracks I raced at were like that. Clearwater was my favorite track even if it was not well kept.

I was able to visit the Antelope Valley BMX track in Lancaster a few weeks ago and there's something about a ALL dirt track (no grass growing all over it) that's maintained that I really like. Maybe it's hard to do that in FL with all the rain.

-R

roger, most of the tracks around here are clay with asphalt starting hills and berms and are covered with tarps when not being used. some tracks are coated with soil-tec which seals the clay and makes it very hard. if it rains, race gets called. our tracks back in the day were shell/dirt combo and the berms were lower due to the rain washing them down. there had been some arguements about newschool/old school tracks on here (about one a year). but y'know, kudos to the people keepng this wonderful sport alive and into the olympics.but for me, i like the unpredictibility of the old tracks, wet or dry, finding your own line through rough terrain, sliding through flat turns, picking shell out of your wounds (ok, maybe not that one). the motocross part of it. i'm probably over-romantisizing it, but that's how i remember it.
mike

I had my first visit to the Simi Valley (sycamorebmx) track tonight. The track looked GREAT! It was cold and windy, but there was some people practicing so I got to watch them and talk to a couple of guys on 24" bikes. They were both cool guys and one thought I could get at least $1000 for my PK.
I tell ya, I sooooo wanted to get me a 24" bike and safety gear and ride that track!

I don't know why it's taken me so long to get back into this. I think about this bmx crap everyday.

-R

Here are some more old-school images.

This is the only image of me racing in a BMX magazine. It was called "Total BMX EAST" and it was in the Oct/Nov 1980 issue and thats me crashing!


This is me holding my 2nd place trophy from racing at Safety Harbor track 04-1978.


These are the race results from racing that day at Safety Harbor 04-1978.


This is me having fun jumping after the race at Safety Harbor 04-1978.


The next 3 photos are from Dec. 1978 at the Tampa track.
The first is Stu talking to some kids and the second is him racing and the third some more guys racing.




That it for now.

-R

We need more Rob

Check out who won ten ex , Rusty Link (now thats a bmx name )

stu on a ju-6! awesome!

Here is another old pic of me and my brother Mike jumping off the second (big) jump at the old Safety Harbor track back in 1978. My mom took this pic with a little black box camera we had back then.

Do not sell your PK. Take it apart box it up and hide it in the attic. Tell the wife you sold it. I regret leaving my bikes at my sisters house when I helped her move about six years ago. Or better yet sell the Mongoose and keep the PK out so you have a constant reminder to get back on the track.
I just got back into BMX about six months ago. Picked up a Kuwahara 24''. It will be my racer. Just don't try to do too much at once. I went down pretty hard ant it sucked.

I did sell my PK to a great guy! It's in a good home.
With the money I bought a GT 24 and racing gear. I was hoping to have already started racing by now, but I just don't have the time to train and get to the track to practice. I hope I will be able to find the time in 2009.

-R