In the second day of racing for the weekend the rider turn out was surprisingly low–I expected more for a double-points race. For Lucas’ class there were a total of 6, if I recall correctly. He qualified out of the first round with a 1st place finish over the winner of the previous night’s race (Jake’s his name).

For my class, there were only 3 of us… so that means “total points”. He who has the best combined finishes for three races wins. I did well with a 1st in my first race. In the second race I had a good lead but either a dirt demon jumped up from the earth and tackled me or the true “novice” in me took over. I got all squirrely towards the end of the rhythm section, rode off the side of the track and laid it down right in the only place there’s any standing water–the hose hook-up in the third turn. I gave myself a nice mud bath and everyone else a nice show… so that was a 3rd place finish, which means I can’t let anyone beat me because I could lose! In the third race I got off to decent start and put the power down but tried to also keep it smooth so as to NOT repeat my earlier bobble. I got out in front and just made sure that neither of the other 2 guys would catch me… but I think they got a little mixed up a couple times. So, I crossed the line first again which cemented me a win for the night–and my 3rd, total.

Here come the pics of both Lucas’ and my first race of the night (from TrueBMX.com):

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Hot BMX Racing Action! Great photos from Brian Long (TrueBMX.com) and Jason Gallo (UtahBMX.com/bmxpics). They were both there shooting the action, check their sites for more sweet imagery. I “threaded” the photos into the correct sequence from both photogs below…

Lucas ROCKED his first race–his round 1 qualifier. He and Carson were going neck and neck the whole track but Lucas pulled of the 1st place finish! Very sweet! But he had a little bit of an attitude (:() as he displayed AFTER the race. Lucas was stopping and he and Carson collided–ever so softly–at the end of the race. Lucas fell and put on his little display.

I rode well in my first race, too, in my round 1 qualifier with a 1st place finish. Feeling pretty good!

There was a “full rack” (8 riders) In Lucas’ main event and he started in lane 1. As the gate dropped, he and Carson and Jake (and more, I’m sure) carried great speed down the ramp. Lucas got a little air and got a little close to some of the other kids. I think this may have spooked him a little… and out came the attitude again. He pretty much just shut it down and quite possibly ended up with the slowest ever registered time to finish a lap! Poor kid. At the end of the race, as he sobbed, he told me he was mad that the other kids passed him… so, we’re still working on the “keep trying no matter what” idea. I thought he had it down, but it appears to need some reinforcing.

So, for my main event we ALSO had a “full rack”. Several new guys have come out to race–and that makes it fun and adds more excitement to the races. I didn’t get a real good snap on the drop of the gate but powered hard down the ramp and over the first couple obstacles to get into third place by the first turn. I charged that turn hard and came out in second place. I’ve been getting a good feel for the second straight’s obstacles and was able to keep some momentum by “manualing” them and got close to Nate’s (a VERY fast new guy) back wheel. Into the second turn he went high so I thought I’d cut low and see if I could set up a pass… bad idea! The lower part of the berm had some loose dirt and I washed out. BUMMER! I was so hoping for a good finish and, I think I could have taken him by the time we would have made it to the stripe…

There’s racing tonight and tomorrow. We’ll try to make both of those and improve upon our mix of finishes… you best be watchin’ in Nate! Muwahhahahhahah!

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Lucas is starting in the gate all by himself… he started doing that a few weeks ago. But last night at practice he came over to me as I was pushing Collin over the last jump on the last straight and proclaimed, “Daddy! I can balance in the gate all by myself!”.

I knew he was getting closer since he started riding the bigger bike–but WOW! It was only a few months ago that he was throwing a fit if I didn’t hold him up by his handlebars!

Here’s a pic of him in the gate:

When we get to the track I don’t hardly have to do a thing for him now–which is GREAT for when I have Collin with. And if Collin isn’t with, I can get more practice time in. We just get out of the car, he gets geared up and takes off on his bike!

Now I’ll have to try to get some pictures of him jumping… or trying to jump. He does get both wheels off the ground at the same time though. And he’s 3 months from turning 5! Dude, I’m stoked for the little guy!

Here are some more pics of him:

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This is a test post on the new version…

Also migrated the database tables.

I can upload media now. Cool. 

If you had created a user account (so you can post comments), I don’t know if that migrated over, so, give it a go!

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Racing was fun tonight although both Lucas and I ended up with 4th place finishes. Lucas had a 4th in his first qualifier but came back in the second qualifier with a VERY STRONG 1st place finish. He held 3rd place for about half of his main event but ended up with a close 4th for the night. He’s riding the bigger bike (an older 2001 GT Micro) and seems to be more comfortable and going faster on it. He had a bit of an issue that he didn’t get a trophy, but I think that may prompt him to ride harder next time–I think he could have easily had a top 3 finish tonight.

Jason Gallo from UtahBMX.com got some shots. (more at UtahBMX Photos).

I’ll try to link to all of them later that have either Lucas or myself in them but here’s a shot of Lucas–click for a bigger version and check that smile on his face (this was as he was leading in the second round).

I don’t think I’d been on the track in a couple weeks and man, could I feel it! I also didn’t get any warm-ups in as I was changing out the wheels on my bike and had to swap freewheels… at least that’s my excuse!

In my first qualifier I finished second–oh, someone let in some FAST new guys! Unzesty! Since I qualified out of the first round, I had a long break to hang out with Lucas and pump him full of sugar from the concession stand and visit with the other families we like to hang out with.

In my main event I felt I got a good gate but Nate and other new dude were faster to the first turn and I chased them hard the whole way… too hard, maybe, as Monsieur Cote caught me at the line to bump me to 4th place! My legs couldn’t go any more so, of course, I commenced with the war cries but that had little effect–other than to cement into his mind that he had me! BLAST YOU COTE!!!!……. I’ll get you yet!

Here are some great shots of our nutty faces (this is in round 1):

Hey Chris (#91), that is a GREAT number plate you’re sporting!

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Here’s a photo I snapped with my phone of Lucas and Collin enjoying a Premium Creamie at the track this evening with Lucas’ buddy, Kincade.

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It was great to get back out on the track for the races and to see everyone again! We had some fun and got to experience the BMX family again! I love this stuff!

I felt pretty good on the track–it’s a good, challenging track and it pointed out some of my weaknesses, aye Jason? I just started riding clipped-in and had to fight getting a foot back in down the whole second straight in the main… someone put too many obstacles in the way to make it conducive to re-clipping, what’s up with that?! I need to get control at the rhythm section–in the main I guess I jumped INTO the second obstacle and that’s where I ended up “taking a right turn at Albuquerque.” Just glad I didn’t eat it! I have to move my bars back as a result, however.

Lucas had fun but didn’t make it out of the qualifiers–but he’s starting on his own in the gate–one footed, anyway. But for the races Anthony helped him once (BMX family love!) as did I. He’s having fun and wanted to go to the track tonight, even. Maybe I need to dangle his favorite treat on a string from his helmet visor…

There were some faces missing, however. Hope to see them out there soon.

The delayed start made it a late night, but I hope that’s a ‘first race clear out the cobwebs’ thing. I don’t mind much, but the kids get irritable.

Thanks again to the Cotes and Christensens and Clifts for helping me out with the little hellions! Y’all are awesome!

And an especially big thanks to all of you who keep the place running! I’m excited for a great outdoor season–our first! Wahoo!

Here are some pictures from Tuesday night’s practice of Lucas…

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Hey, the track is OPEN! It’s time to go ride our bikes! Wahooooo!

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I finalized the plates for Lucas and me this evening. I think they’re cool.
Lucas’:

Mine:

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