Living in Ohio, the outdoor racing season is comming to an end. Some of us older riders were talking about riding over the winter. We were talking about going to Rays (Cleveland riding park) to practice, or going to Dayton or Indy to race. It got me thinking about why do I do it?
For me, its about the rush I get during the motos or the main. I want to race, compete against other riders, side by side out of the gate and over the jumps to the finish line. I want to feel my heart beeting and the shaking of my hands when I'm on the gate.
I know there are many out there that are just happy to be riding around, and I'm not saying there's anything wrong with that. If its enough for you than great. But, at the Dayton OS race I saw 4 motos of riders who were there to race. Many said that they were there just to ride on the track. But its in their blood to go for it everytime they get on the gate. It was raining and they still raced their bikes in the mud. The love of the sport or competition?
It comes down for me, I'd rather drive 3 hours to race, than drive 90min to ride around.
Think about it, what do you do it for? Tommy

Its not fun for me unless im in the battle .I got a taste very long time ago about what its all about .Friends are a very close second at bmx for me as well.But this time around my son was the biggest reason for me .I cant lie- if i never won id loose interest fast .And always loved to have someone in the crosshairs.I also love being the underdog..

I'm one that's just happy being on the track.

First or last, my smile is the same.

It's great exercise to boot.

I've now raced more as a 35+ than I did as a teenager. As a teen I was always on my bike though. Trails, jumping curbs and over the winter I'd race the Hilliard track for something to do when the snow comes.

Back then I also played soccer year round. That kept me busy as well.

Now I stick to the bikes. BMX rocks.

What drove me to start racing agin this summer was the kindness of a great guy in Ohio that sent me a copy of an ESPN broadcast of a National I made the main in back in 82 !!!

I have had the time of my life racing again this past summer, but I think what drives me to continue is the feeling of competition and realizing that fire is still there. It feels good to have the muscles burn again, the sweat dripping, and the hard work and the reward of the results over the course of the summer.

I love this sport, and I cannot believe it took me 17 years to realize how much I missed it!!

I am competitive by nature and I love the butterfly's and excitement when your getting ready to get on the gate. With any hobby I have ever had I always seem to turn it into a competition. I enjoy all my friends and hanging out with them and talking about how each of us did.

The OS race was really awesome because I got to race against all the fast guys who were a few years older than me that I used to watch and want to race like. I never got to get in the gate with most of you BITD. Every moto was a mind warp for me. Very cool.

BMX is just plain fun!! Now I get to enjoy it with my family which makes it even better. The first time my daughters won a trophy and were jumping around all excited or when they won their first state plates and 4 foot tall trophy and couldn't wait to set them up in their rooms. Those are the moments that make BMX special to me now.

Mike, glad I could help.

Tom,

You did more than you can imagine! All I can say is Thank You!

Mike