BMX riders honored
September 23, 2009
The Wellington
Wellington youth have a passion for bicycles and motocross, which they practice at Epic BMX in Fort Collins. Their dedication has paid off with five local riders recently awarded a state of Colorado Championship series number plate by placing in the top 10 in Colorado in a series of four races.
Eric and Christy Olson, also of Wellington, operate the BMX track where the riders train.
The award winners follow:
Raelyn Heaton. Racing class: 5-year-old novice. Title: Colorado State Champion for 5-year-old girls. Rice Elementary School, kindergarten.
Gabe Steadman. Racing class: 11-year-old intermediate. Title: #8 in state of Colorado for 11-year-old boys. Wellington Middle School, sixth grade.
Austin McKellep. Racing class: 12-year-old expert and 12-year-old cruiser. Title: #5 in state of Colorado for 12-year-old boys and #2 in state for 12-year-old cruisers. Cache La Poudre Middle School, seventh grade.
Owen Olson. Racing class: 12-year-old expert. Title: Colorado State Champion for 12-year-old boys. Wellington Middle School, seventh grade.
Nevin Olson. Racing Class: 8-year-old intermediate. Title: #4 in state of Colorado for 8-year-old boys. Rice Elementary School, third grade.
John Heath. Racing class: 8-year-old intermediate. Runner up for state plate. He was #3 in 2008 for 7-year-old boys. Rice Elementary School, third grade.
Almost any bike can be outfitted to suit bicycle motocross. This includes the beginner bike, or a youth bike with smaller wheels. Typically, a BMX bike has 20-inch tires, but anything 20 inches or smaller will work. There is also a cruiser class, which will accommodate 24-inch tires.
BMX, created in the early 1970s, is one of the fastest growing youth sport in North America and one of the newest additions to the Olympics. BMX has now evolved into a full-blown sport in which riders compete on established dirt tracks all across America. Races are organized according to age group and skill levels, so everyone gets the opportunity to compete at a fair level.
Epic BMX in Fort Collins is a sanctioned track of the American Bicycle Association. The ABA offers a one-year membership for $45. This membership enables riders to use any ABA-sanctioned track. There are about 10 in Colorado. After becoming a member, each rider pays by the race. Epic BMX charges $8 per race on Thursdays and $10 per race on Saturdays, with the exception of multi-point races.
When Epic BMX is not being used for a race or clinic, it is open to the public free of charge. Riders must always have a parent or guardian with them at the track. More information is available by calling 970-206-1355.
To reach the track, take Interstate 25 south to Fort Collins. Take the Prospect Road exit and travel west to Riverside Avenue, then turn south. The track is located at the bottom of the hill on the west side of the road. It shares a parking lot with Edora Park.
