RAD

I went for a hoon with Megan at the Hamilton BMX track one morning.  It was so much fun.  The day was beautifully sunny with not too much wind.  The track was mint - newly asphalted berms made it quite a bit quicker and easier to maintain, or gain, speed through the turns.  I was having quite a bit of trouble with the third and fourth straights, where my legs would get tired and I'd find it hard to bend them to pump through the rhythm sections.  My legs just wanted to stay straight and I'd be getting bucked around instead of smoothly pumping and flowing over the rollers.

We stopped for a break and talked for so long that by the time we thought about riding again the wind had picked up and made it too much hard work to ride (soft!). We adjourned to the nearest cafe for lunch and continued our excellent conversation.  It was a great therapy session for both of us.  Good food, good company... great day.

One rainy Sunday afternoon I abandoned the family at home and went down to the track to watch my cousins race their BMXs.  It's been over 20 years since I last watched them (and almost that long since they last raced I guess too!).  I had the same feelings of envy and a strong desire to be out there racing, just like I did 20 years ago - nothing changes.  They made it look easy; jumping, manualling, and racing like they've been doing it forever.  They are both racing in the cruiser class which looks a lot less silly than grown-ups on 20 inch wheels.  They are aiming to race at Nationals in summer, and then see if they have the form required to qualify for Worlds in Auckland, 2013.  So. Awesome.

Cousin #1 on the first berm

(Photo: Shot360)

Cousin #2 on the third (unsealed) berm

(Photo: Shot360)

I'm seriously considering moving up to the bigger wheels ('cause that's how I roll).  It would smooth out the ride for me, and feel a little less strange than the 20" wheels.  Anyone want to buy a 20" BMX: two lady owners, only ridden on Sundays?