Moto Bored:
Yeah, so, maybe it's a good day for riding ... but, for those of us stuck in front of a computer ... it's also a great chance to kick out a reminder that there are a ton of cool local shops that are getting behind our little but growing Milwaukee BMX racing scene. Don't forget to click the HOT SHOPS linkie over to the right the next time you wind up in a "wrecktangle" and tweak something on your bike.
For those of you who can't figure out what a link is ... here's the list 'o shops that are super groovey with Milwaukee BMX.
Some of these shops are contemplating forming teams this season ... it wouldn't be too cool for our riders to go in expecting some factory level ride ... but, if you could use a little help in the form of discount structure on parts ... and, you think you would be a good representative for a shop that you've been a loyal customer to ... hit them up ... and see what they think about a "jersey" sponsorship. It's a great way to take your racing to a new level and get yourself into a team environment.
Oh, and don't forget to tell them that you appreciate their support of Milwaukee BMX !!!
Crank Daddy's Bicycle Works - 2108 N. Farwell - Milwaukee, WI
Wares Cyclery - 1306 S. 108th St., Milwaukee, WI 414-454-0550
South Shore Cycles - 4758 S Packard Ave - Cudahy 414-831-0211
Ben's Cycles - 1018 W Lincoln Ave - Milwaukee 414-384-2236
Johnson's Cycle & Fitness - 6916 W North Ave - Wauwatosa 414-476-2341
Allis Cycle - 9622 W. National Ave - West Allis 414-327-1290
Emerys Cycle and Fitness - Milwaukee / Glendale / Menomonee Falls 414-463-2453
Ride Extreme Sports - 14666 West National Avenue - New Berlin 262-789-7433
Tuesday, April 29, 2008
Thursday, April 24, 2008
American Suzuki and ABA BMX team up for 2008 District #1 winners
Gilbert, Arizona—April 23, 2008 — The American Bicycle Association (ABA BMX) has renewed its agreement with American Suzuki Motor Corporation as the official motorcycle and ATV of the 2008 ABA BMX (Bicycle Motocross) racing series. The 2008 ABA BMX Race Series consists of 27 National events and 15 Pro Series events throughout North America. Suzuki's involvement in the ABA BMX racing series began in 2007 and continues again this year!
American Suzuki is a major sponsor of the 2008 ABA BMX event schedule and will be fully integrated into the BMX events nationwide. In 2008, the ABA BMX and American Suzuki will work cooperatively to bring even more excitement to the racers. New promotions include an incredible Suzuki RMZ450 being awarded not only to the ABA BMX National #1 Champions, but also an amazing Suzuki RMZ250 being awarded at the ABA BMX district level.
ABA and Suzuki are offering to every eligible rider who is awarded an 2008 ABA District #1 a chance to win a Suzuki RMZ250. Every class is eligible and any district #1 rider who has earned at least 2000 district points for the 2008 season will be entered into a drawing. This gives every rider in the ABA an opportunity to win the amazing Suzuki RMZ250! This competition is open to boys, girls, cruisers and girl cruisers in all ABA districts, district classes and age groups. Complete details and rules will be available in BMXer magazine and online at www.ababmx.com.
“We are very excited to have American Suzuki return as a major sponsor for a 2008, they have really supported the sport of BMX. Suzuki has recognized that BMX is a family sport that reaches both the kids and the parents. This year will be the most excitement ever generated for the Suzuki program, because now every rider has an opportunity to win a Suzuki RMZ250.” said Clayton John, ABA President. Like other ABA national event sponsors, Suzuki will have a large and notable presence at every ABA National event and has scheduled display advertising as part of its sponsorship in ABA’s BMXer publication.
Wednesday, April 16, 2008
HUGE RACE ANNOUNCEMENT:
The Saturday June 21st earned double point race at Milwaukee BMX has a new title sponsor and name. Announced late last week, Kuwahara Bicycles will sponsor the first annual Kuwahara Classic at Milwaukee BMX. Kuwahara will be kicking in a variety of swag for the racers that day ... what an awesome new event for Milwaukee BMX.
More details will be available soon.
More Odds and Endos:
Fondy Spring Opener !!!
We received an e-mail earlier today reminding us that Fond du Lac is planning their opener for this Sunday ... they are also planning a swap meet and new rider clinic which will take place before racing begins. Registration is open from 11 to 12:30 p.m. ... more details at http://www.fdlbmxclub.com/
Central Wisconsin BMX hosts Pro BMX SUPERCAMP - August 16 & 17th.
Yup, if you got a hankerin' for a late summer trip to learn about some advanced racing techniques ... this one is definitely worth checking out at http://www.cwbmx.org/
The Saturday June 21st earned double point race at Milwaukee BMX has a new title sponsor and name. Announced late last week, Kuwahara Bicycles will sponsor the first annual Kuwahara Classic at Milwaukee BMX. Kuwahara will be kicking in a variety of swag for the racers that day ... what an awesome new event for Milwaukee BMX.
More details will be available soon.
More Odds and Endos:
Fondy Spring Opener !!!
We received an e-mail earlier today reminding us that Fond du Lac is planning their opener for this Sunday ... they are also planning a swap meet and new rider clinic which will take place before racing begins. Registration is open from 11 to 12:30 p.m. ... more details at http://www.fdlbmxclub.com/
Central Wisconsin BMX hosts Pro BMX SUPERCAMP - August 16 & 17th.
Yup, if you got a hankerin' for a late summer trip to learn about some advanced racing techniques ... this one is definitely worth checking out at http://www.cwbmx.org/
Monday, April 14, 2008
IT'S ALMOST TIME !!!
Please mark your calendars:
What: Track cleanup / maintenance / renovation
When: 9 a.m. until -- ??? | Saturday May 3 & 4
Where: Milwaukee BMX (duh!)
Hey you BMX'ers and BMX'er-ettes ... it's almost time to rifle through your garage and knock the cobwebs off your dusty rakes, shovels and other gardening / landscaping tools (and, if you happen to have a four-wheeler, that'd sure come in handy too) and join us May 3rd and May 4th for our track cleanup / maintenance / and improvements days. Mark it on your calendar ... and please shoot us an e-mail at lavacycles@sbcglobal.net and mjmittelstadt@yahoo.com to let us know if you can join.
Track prep ranges from heavy lifting and hard work ... to pulling rakes and piling rocks ... to crew support (someone who will offer to run and grab lunch and cheer us on is always welcome !!!). With enough hands on deck ... the work goes much more quickly ... and we may even get a chance to ride a few laps Sunday if we get done early enough.
Bring your gardening tools ... yard rakes, shovels, garage brooms, wheelbarrows, etc. It's also a good idea to bring gloves, sunscreen ... and plenty of water to drink.
We hope to see you then.
For those of you who can't make it ... you can at least join us in crossing your fingers for some good weather ... this has been a crummy spring for sure ... but, we're all anxious to get back to racing at Milwaukee BMX.
Kevin O'
Tuesday, April 01, 2008
Milwaukee BMX Club - Meeting Notice:
When: Tomorrow Night - Wednesday, April 2nd at 7 p.m.
Where: Benno's in West Allis - 7413 West GreenfieldWest Allis, Wisconsin 414-453-9094
Who Can Attend? Current volunteers and those interested in volunteers are encouraged to join -- and, pretty much anyone with an interest in BMX in Milwaukee is welcome to attend. Since Benno's is a pub ... if you are under the age of 18 you must be accompanied by a parent or legal guardian.
For More Information: John Mittelstadt - 414-429-3485
When: Tomorrow Night - Wednesday, April 2nd at 7 p.m.
Where: Benno's in West Allis - 7413 West GreenfieldWest Allis, Wisconsin 414-453-9094
Who Can Attend? Current volunteers and those interested in volunteers are encouraged to join -- and, pretty much anyone with an interest in BMX in Milwaukee is welcome to attend. Since Benno's is a pub ... if you are under the age of 18 you must be accompanied by a parent or legal guardian.
For More Information: John Mittelstadt - 414-429-3485
Monday, March 17, 2008
Milwaukee BMX Braces for Total Chaos !!!
We received an e-mail today from Thomas O'Rourke -- a once-in-a-while Milwaukee BMX racer (40c) who's kids Mickayla (9g) and Wyatt (11n) are regulars at our track. O'Rourke wanted us to pass along word that he's formed up a brand new team called -- yeah, you guessed it -- Total Chaos BMX.
A lot of times, when these notifications come in, team rosters are pretty well set. But, being a brand new team, Total Chaos still has some roster spots to fill.
Because Total Chaos will be a family based team, it seems to us that fun is going to be the name of their game. Which is cool ... because everybody knows that we dig family fun at Milwaukee BMX.
To find out more about Total Chaos BMX, interested riders sould contact O'Rourke at totalchaosbmx@charter.net
We received an e-mail today from Thomas O'Rourke -- a once-in-a-while Milwaukee BMX racer (40c) who's kids Mickayla (9g) and Wyatt (11n) are regulars at our track. O'Rourke wanted us to pass along word that he's formed up a brand new team called -- yeah, you guessed it -- Total Chaos BMX.
A lot of times, when these notifications come in, team rosters are pretty well set. But, being a brand new team, Total Chaos still has some roster spots to fill.
Because Total Chaos will be a family based team, it seems to us that fun is going to be the name of their game. Which is cool ... because everybody knows that we dig family fun at Milwaukee BMX.
To find out more about Total Chaos BMX, interested riders sould contact O'Rourke at totalchaosbmx@charter.net
Tuesday, March 11, 2008
The Absolute God's Honest Truth About BMX ...
As I was rifling through one of the many junk drawers in our house recently, I stumbled onto the photograph that's attached to this article. A quick review shows just not a kid on a bike ... but a kid on a bike in a moment in time. That kid, as you might have figured, is me -- circa 1976 and looking like some sort of surreal mixture of bag lady meets Steve McQueen.
Honestly, I don't recall what my reference point for "cool" was back then ... but, the fact that I'm dudded up in my sweet gold windbreaker, which has the bonus monroe shocks stickers on each side of my chest, along with a helmet tells me that I must have had some racing reference point from which to draw the conclusion that ... heck yeah ... despite the rust colored tuff skins with the iron on patch, long undies peeking out just above my ankles, sporting red socks, and shoes that would look more appropriate on the set of a high school production of Oliver Twist ... I was definitely a cool kid.
The bike tells a story all its own. The remarkably large headlight tells me that maybe I was a bit more enduro than moto at that particular stage in my life. But, rest assured, the bold letters "MX" on the back of that well padded seat left little doubt as to where I'd one day be headed. I don't know where the heck my mind was at with that equally gargantuan horn -- I can only figure that it helped warn oncomers of my approach while I was barreling out of blind corner alleyways.
And, yeah, that crooked retaining wall is the foundation to the house that I grew up in. A roughly 800 s.f. cracker box that my mom bought in 1966 for $6,000 !!! ... and probably re-financed to pay for my cool bike.
See, this photo reminds me where I came from, in many ways ... and helps me understand why almost all of my bikes are assembled from secondhand parts, closeout stuff, or items I've been able to find "good guy" deals on. It also reminds me of why I'm okay with the beg, borrow and steal approach that we've used to cobble together the Milwaukee BMX operation.
Candy Karau once told me that when she and Jake took over the operation at Rockford ... which must be just more than 20 years ago now ... they employed the same strategy ... and, by the mid 1990's the track gained some backing from the Parks department in Rockford ... allowing it to truly flourish under the leadership of the Karaus. I believe the future holds much of the same promise for Milwaukee BMX.
The reward for all of the work on our end was seeing the many looks of determination and happiness that were on the faces of the kids and parents who participated in Milwaukee BMX. We're probably not going to send a lot of our racers out onto the national scene ... or, perhaps a career in BMX ... although that weedy Ben Kohls kid is sure doing his part to prove me wrong on that one ... but, we are providing a forum for individual growth ... and showing kids that there's value in work, persistence, and that no matter how much fun winning is ... losing isn't the end of the world ... life lessons.
Yeah, photographs like the one above are really important ... your kid grows up once ... you will never regret documenting as much of it as you can. In fact, I wonder where will your kids be when they stumble across old shots of them on a bike?
By the way ... even though it's too small ... I am wearing a Green Bay Packers helmet ... and riding a bike with #4 on it.
We can hardly wait to see you trackside again soon.
Kevin O'
As I was rifling through one of the many junk drawers in our house recently, I stumbled onto the photograph that's attached to this article. A quick review shows just not a kid on a bike ... but a kid on a bike in a moment in time. That kid, as you might have figured, is me -- circa 1976 and looking like some sort of surreal mixture of bag lady meets Steve McQueen.
Honestly, I don't recall what my reference point for "cool" was back then ... but, the fact that I'm dudded up in my sweet gold windbreaker, which has the bonus monroe shocks stickers on each side of my chest, along with a helmet tells me that I must have had some racing reference point from which to draw the conclusion that ... heck yeah ... despite the rust colored tuff skins with the iron on patch, long undies peeking out just above my ankles, sporting red socks, and shoes that would look more appropriate on the set of a high school production of Oliver Twist ... I was definitely a cool kid.
The bike tells a story all its own. The remarkably large headlight tells me that maybe I was a bit more enduro than moto at that particular stage in my life. But, rest assured, the bold letters "MX" on the back of that well padded seat left little doubt as to where I'd one day be headed. I don't know where the heck my mind was at with that equally gargantuan horn -- I can only figure that it helped warn oncomers of my approach while I was barreling out of blind corner alleyways.
And, yeah, that crooked retaining wall is the foundation to the house that I grew up in. A roughly 800 s.f. cracker box that my mom bought in 1966 for $6,000 !!! ... and probably re-financed to pay for my cool bike.
See, this photo reminds me where I came from, in many ways ... and helps me understand why almost all of my bikes are assembled from secondhand parts, closeout stuff, or items I've been able to find "good guy" deals on. It also reminds me of why I'm okay with the beg, borrow and steal approach that we've used to cobble together the Milwaukee BMX operation.
Candy Karau once told me that when she and Jake took over the operation at Rockford ... which must be just more than 20 years ago now ... they employed the same strategy ... and, by the mid 1990's the track gained some backing from the Parks department in Rockford ... allowing it to truly flourish under the leadership of the Karaus. I believe the future holds much of the same promise for Milwaukee BMX.
The reward for all of the work on our end was seeing the many looks of determination and happiness that were on the faces of the kids and parents who participated in Milwaukee BMX. We're probably not going to send a lot of our racers out onto the national scene ... or, perhaps a career in BMX ... although that weedy Ben Kohls kid is sure doing his part to prove me wrong on that one ... but, we are providing a forum for individual growth ... and showing kids that there's value in work, persistence, and that no matter how much fun winning is ... losing isn't the end of the world ... life lessons.
Yeah, photographs like the one above are really important ... your kid grows up once ... you will never regret documenting as much of it as you can. In fact, I wonder where will your kids be when they stumble across old shots of them on a bike?
By the way ... even though it's too small ... I am wearing a Green Bay Packers helmet ... and riding a bike with #4 on it.
We can hardly wait to see you trackside again soon.
Kevin O'
Tuesday, March 04, 2008
Milwaukee BMX Club - Meeting Notice:
When: Tomorrow Night - Wednesday, March 5th at 7 p.m.
Where: Benno's in West Allis - 7413 West GreenfieldWest Allis, Wisconsin 414-453-9094
Who Can Attend? Current volunteers and those interested in volunteers are encouraged to join -- and, pretty much anyone with an interest in BMX in Milwaukee is welcome to attend. Since Benno's is a pub ... if you are under the age of 18 you must be accompanied by a parent or legal guardian.
For More Information: John Mittelstadt - 414-429-3485
When: Tomorrow Night - Wednesday, March 5th at 7 p.m.
Where: Benno's in West Allis - 7413 West GreenfieldWest Allis, Wisconsin 414-453-9094
Who Can Attend? Current volunteers and those interested in volunteers are encouraged to join -- and, pretty much anyone with an interest in BMX in Milwaukee is welcome to attend. Since Benno's is a pub ... if you are under the age of 18 you must be accompanied by a parent or legal guardian.
For More Information: John Mittelstadt - 414-429-3485
Tuesday, February 26, 2008
MILWAUKEE BMX 2008 SCHEDULE
May
Thur. May 29 Practice
Sat. May 31 New Rider Clinic
June
Thur. June 5 Practice
Sat June 7 Race FIRST RACE OF THE SEASON!!
Tue June 10 Race
Thur. June 12 Practice
Tue June 17 Race
Sat.June 21 Race Earned Double (First Annual KUWAHARA Classic at Milwaukee BMX)
Tue. June 24 Race
Thur. June 26 Practice
July
Tue. July 8 Race
Thur. July 10 Practice
Sat. July 12 Race
Tue July 15 Race
Thur. July 17 Practice
Tue. July 22 Race
Thur. July 24 Practice
Tue. July 29 Race
August
Tue. Aug. 5 Race
Fri. Aug. 8 Practice
Sat. Aug.9 Race SCQ Double Points
Sun. Aug. 10 Race Redline Triple Points
Tue . Aug. 12 Race
Thur. Aug 14 Practice
Tue Aug. 19 Race
Thur. Aug. 21 Practice
Sat. Aug 23 Race
Tue Aug. 26 Race
Thur. Aug 28 Practice
Sept & Oct. Race Dates TBA
All Tue Races Reg. Time 5:30 – 6:30 PM Racing ASAP
All Thur. Practices 6:00 – 8:00 PM
All Sat. Sun Races Reg.9:30-11:00 AM Racing ASAP
Fees
Single Point Races - $10.00
Double Point Races - $20.00
Triple Point Races - $30.00
Practice - $5.00
OTHER DATES TO REMEMBER
MAY 17, 18 FON DU LAC STATE WEEKEND
MAY 31 OSHKOSH STATE WEEKEND
JUNE 8 RHINELANDER STATE RACE
JUNE 14 ROCKFORD NATIONAL
JUNE 28 LAND O LAKES NATIONAL
JULY 19 RHINELANDER REDLINE WEEKEND
AUGUST 2 RAPIDS STATE WEEKEND
FOR MORE INFORMATION PLEASE CALL
John Mittelstadt 414-429-3485
Or see us on the web@ Milwaukee BMX.com
May
Thur. May 29 Practice
Sat. May 31 New Rider Clinic
June
Thur. June 5 Practice
Sat June 7 Race FIRST RACE OF THE SEASON!!
Tue June 10 Race
Thur. June 12 Practice
Tue June 17 Race
Sat.June 21 Race Earned Double (First Annual KUWAHARA Classic at Milwaukee BMX)
Tue. June 24 Race
Thur. June 26 Practice
July
Tue. July 8 Race
Thur. July 10 Practice
Sat. July 12 Race
Tue July 15 Race
Thur. July 17 Practice
Tue. July 22 Race
Thur. July 24 Practice
Tue. July 29 Race
August
Tue. Aug. 5 Race
Fri. Aug. 8 Practice
Sat. Aug.9 Race SCQ Double Points
Sun. Aug. 10 Race Redline Triple Points
Tue . Aug. 12 Race
Thur. Aug 14 Practice
Tue Aug. 19 Race
Thur. Aug. 21 Practice
Sat. Aug 23 Race
Tue Aug. 26 Race
Thur. Aug 28 Practice
Sept & Oct. Race Dates TBA
All Tue Races Reg. Time 5:30 – 6:30 PM Racing ASAP
All Thur. Practices 6:00 – 8:00 PM
All Sat. Sun Races Reg.9:30-11:00 AM Racing ASAP
Fees
Single Point Races - $10.00
Double Point Races - $20.00
Triple Point Races - $30.00
Practice - $5.00
OTHER DATES TO REMEMBER
MAY 17, 18 FON DU LAC STATE WEEKEND
MAY 31 OSHKOSH STATE WEEKEND
JUNE 8 RHINELANDER STATE RACE
JUNE 14 ROCKFORD NATIONAL
JUNE 28 LAND O LAKES NATIONAL
JULY 19 RHINELANDER REDLINE WEEKEND
AUGUST 2 RAPIDS STATE WEEKEND
FOR MORE INFORMATION PLEASE CALL
John Mittelstadt 414-429-3485
Or see us on the web@ Milwaukee BMX.com
Wednesday, January 30, 2008
Extra, extra - read all about it! ... this just in from the ABA:
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
January 30, 2008
GO211.COM BRINGS YOU "FREE" LIVE WEBCAST COVERAGE OF THE ABA’S SOONER NATIONALS – Guthrie, Oklahoma – GO211.com, in conjunction with the American Bicycle Association, is proud to bring you the LIVE "FREE" webcast of the ABA’s Sooner Nationals, a ABA BMX PRO Series event hosted by the LAZY E. Arena in Guthrie, Oklahoma. Tune in for all the race action starting Saturday, February 2nd, through Sunday, February 3rd. This weekend will be another great one for sure! It all starts on the February, 2nd at 10:00am central time with a pre-show for the Sooner Nationals. GO211.com will then go right into the "LIVE" action packed event coverage starting at 11:00am central time for the duration of the days event.
GO211.com will kick things off again at 7:30 central time with another pre-show webcast, followed by the "LIVE" action feed at 8:00am sharp on the February, 3rd. The Sooner National in Guthrie, Oklahoma is always noted as one of the best BMX events of the year, and this year will not be a disappointment. The facility, the track, the dirt, the PRO Section, the racers, and the fans all seem to come together to make this a can't miss event!
Remember, if for some odd reason you aren't attending this awesome event or you can't get to a computor this weekend and miss all of the race action. GO211.com will have all the Main Events (plus Pro Quarters, Semis, and Motos), interviews, and shows posted on GO211.com the week following the event. Be sure to check out www.GO211.com and www.ababmx.com for more details.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
January 30, 2008
GO211.COM BRINGS YOU "FREE" LIVE WEBCAST COVERAGE OF THE ABA’S SOONER NATIONALS – Guthrie, Oklahoma – GO211.com, in conjunction with the American Bicycle Association, is proud to bring you the LIVE "FREE" webcast of the ABA’s Sooner Nationals, a ABA BMX PRO Series event hosted by the LAZY E. Arena in Guthrie, Oklahoma. Tune in for all the race action starting Saturday, February 2nd, through Sunday, February 3rd. This weekend will be another great one for sure! It all starts on the February, 2nd at 10:00am central time with a pre-show for the Sooner Nationals. GO211.com will then go right into the "LIVE" action packed event coverage starting at 11:00am central time for the duration of the days event.
GO211.com will kick things off again at 7:30 central time with another pre-show webcast, followed by the "LIVE" action feed at 8:00am sharp on the February, 3rd. The Sooner National in Guthrie, Oklahoma is always noted as one of the best BMX events of the year, and this year will not be a disappointment. The facility, the track, the dirt, the PRO Section, the racers, and the fans all seem to come together to make this a can't miss event!
Remember, if for some odd reason you aren't attending this awesome event or you can't get to a computor this weekend and miss all of the race action. GO211.com will have all the Main Events (plus Pro Quarters, Semis, and Motos), interviews, and shows posted on GO211.com the week following the event. Be sure to check out www.GO211.com and www.ababmx.com for more details.
Sunday, January 13, 2008
Tuesday, January 08, 2008
Wednesday, January 02, 2008
Wednesday, December 19, 2007
Friday, December 07, 2007
Odds n' Endos:
Check it out ... we received word from our friends at Steel Wheels BMX in Portage Indiana that they are planning the second annual "Future Pro Challenge" race on Saturday December 15, 2007. I know a few of you made last years race ... and, if memory serves, Milwaukee BMX volunteer John Wethall was actually made famous on YouTube at this very race last season.
Check out this video shot by our pals over at MilleniumBMX.com of the 2006 action. Great stuff. The files are of both the boys and girls finals.
Boys:
Check it out ... we received word from our friends at Steel Wheels BMX in Portage Indiana that they are planning the second annual "Future Pro Challenge" race on Saturday December 15, 2007. I know a few of you made last years race ... and, if memory serves, Milwaukee BMX volunteer John Wethall was actually made famous on YouTube at this very race last season.
Check out this video shot by our pals over at MilleniumBMX.com of the 2006 action. Great stuff. The files are of both the boys and girls finals.
Boys:
Girls:
Walworth 2007 Finale this weekend:
Finally, this is the last weekend of racing in 2007 at the Walworth County BMX indoor. There are single point races both Saturday evening and Sunday during the day. If we don't make it out ... thanks again to everyone for a successful 2007 racing season at Milwaukee BMX ... and we certainly hope to see you again in 2008.
Tuesday, December 04, 2007
Milwaukee BMX on MYSPACE:
Check it ... if any of you bonzai-icle, super-rad Milwaukee BMX dudes and dudettes have a Myspace page ... you might want to link to the Milwaukee BMX myspace page.
BMX World Magazine, Greg Hill (GHP Products & legendary pro racer) and a few other legends are already in the house.
Kevin O'
Check it ... if any of you bonzai-icle, super-rad Milwaukee BMX dudes and dudettes have a Myspace page ... you might want to link to the Milwaukee BMX myspace page.
BMX World Magazine, Greg Hill (GHP Products & legendary pro racer) and a few other legends are already in the house.
Kevin O'
Monday, December 03, 2007
Holiday Happenings:
So, it's probably not entirely by cooincidence that I'm starting to think about the holidays ... after all, Christmas is now less than a month away, and a fresh blanket of snow, covered with a crisp ice candy shell all around SE Wisconsin now complicates the fact that I still haven't started my holiday shopping ... and I'm definitely starting to feel the pressure.
Still, I want to try and make life a bit easier for a few of you BMX moms and dads who might be far enough removed from the racing season to be thinking about BMX gifts for your little racers as the holiday's approach. So, here's my advice, as somebody who was a little BMX'er once. BMX presents are always good. From a new set of tires, to new grips, a new padset, numberplate ... or, if they've been really good ... a trick new scoot.
As for where to send Santa for your BMX presents ... these are the shops that supported and helped us get up and running at Milwaukee BMX in 2007.
- Crank Daddy's Bicycle Works - 2108 N. Farwell - Milwaukee, WI
- Wares Cyclery - 1306 S. 108th St., Milwaukee, WI 414-454-0550
- South Shore Cycles - 4758 S Packard Ave - Cudahy 414-831-0211
- Ben's Cycles - 1018 W Lincoln Ave - Milwaukee 414-384-2236
- Johnson's Cycle & Fitness - 6916 W North Ave - Wauwatosa 414-476-2341
- Corey The Bike Fixer - 2410 N. Murray Ave. - Milwaukee 414-967-9446
- Allis Cycle - 9622 W. National Ave - West Allis 414-327-1290
- Emerys Cycle and Fitness - Milwaukee / Glendale / Menomonee Falls 414-463-2453
Please remember, this holiday season, to think globally, and buy locally. And, that doesn't just go for BMX bikes. I hope we'll all do what we can to keep SE Wisconsin a vibrant and sustainable community.
Grands Moments:
We received this picture from Randy Olson, proud papa of Dirt Warriors 14I Brad Olson ... who is carting around one heckuva tall trophy. This is for his second place finish in the 14 intermediate main at the Grands ... which is a solid enough finish ... but, doesn't exactly tell the whole story. Brad's lap was one of the few mains I was lucky enough to catch through the live feed @ GO211.com . His lap couldn't have started worse as he came unclipped about two pedals out of the gate. After getting his foot back on the pedal, and getting the cleat engaged, he was easily 3 or four lengths behind the field. And, that's when Brad went to work. Picking off riders on every straight and in each turn, until he finally wound up all the way back up to 2nd. Awesome job, Brad -- way to go !!!
I'm still tripping over the size of that trophy. The O'Donnell house is so small that if Dane ever brings something like that home at Thanksgiving ... we're going to skip the Christmas tree and just decorate the trophy !!!
Meeting Reminder:
Tuesday, November 27, 2007
Regular Monthly Club Meetings to RESUME
Wednesday, December 5th, 2007
7:00 p.m.
Benno's in West Allis
All who have helped in the past and any newcomers are welcome to attend.
We'll be discussing and drafting our 2008 racing schedule at our first meeting. And, there's a nice multi-pointer that John received confirmation of at the Grands that we'll have on the '08 schedule. If you wanna know more, join us next Wednesday night. Or, you can read more on the announcement right here in a couple of weeks.
__________________________________________________
Additional meetings will occur on the first Wednesday evening of each month (January 2nd, 2008; February 6th, 2008; March 5th, 2008) at 7:00 p.m. at Benno's in West Allis.
Wednesday, December 5th, 2007
7:00 p.m.
Benno's in West Allis
All who have helped in the past and any newcomers are welcome to attend.
We'll be discussing and drafting our 2008 racing schedule at our first meeting. And, there's a nice multi-pointer that John received confirmation of at the Grands that we'll have on the '08 schedule. If you wanna know more, join us next Wednesday night. Or, you can read more on the announcement right here in a couple of weeks.
__________________________________________________
Additional meetings will occur on the first Wednesday evening of each month (January 2nd, 2008; February 6th, 2008; March 5th, 2008) at 7:00 p.m. at Benno's in West Allis.
Tuesday, November 20, 2007
Grands Time !!!:
Allright you Milwaukee BMX'ers ... it's ABA Grand Nationals time ... who's going, what are your goals, and how have you prepared? I had a chance to talk to a few of you over the weekend, but hope that a few of you will take a few minutes to reply to this post with your own experiences in your own words. We look forward to reading your stories below.
Walworth Indoor BMX Videos:
These lame videos were shot with my KODAK D700 digital camera. They are grainy, but, what the heck ... we thought you might enjoy them anyway.
The first footage is the 36-40 and 41-45 cruiser mains, in which Curt Zizzo shows that he's still on top of his game by winning by nearly a straight over Milwaukee BMX regular Mark Kluth and Mike Coyne. Bryan Dickerson still has the pull in 41-45 cruiser and though chased all the way by a determined Ed Morris, who raced with us a lot this summer, hangs on for the win. Good stuff, you guys.
Allright you Milwaukee BMX'ers ... it's ABA Grand Nationals time ... who's going, what are your goals, and how have you prepared? I had a chance to talk to a few of you over the weekend, but hope that a few of you will take a few minutes to reply to this post with your own experiences in your own words. We look forward to reading your stories below.
Walworth Indoor BMX Videos:
These lame videos were shot with my KODAK D700 digital camera. They are grainy, but, what the heck ... we thought you might enjoy them anyway.
The first footage is the 36-40 and 41-45 cruiser mains, in which Curt Zizzo shows that he's still on top of his game by winning by nearly a straight over Milwaukee BMX regular Mark Kluth and Mike Coyne. Bryan Dickerson still has the pull in 41-45 cruiser and though chased all the way by a determined Ed Morris, who raced with us a lot this summer, hangs on for the win. Good stuff, you guys.
I'm posting the next video as another "sympathy" video to all you BMX mom's and dads. Earlier this summer, I wrote about how absolutely nerve racking it can be to send your little ones out there. With the amount of information we are asking 7, 6 or even 5 and under minds to process, it's just remarkable we get those kids on track at all.
The story here goes ... my son, Dane, who's a 7 novice, managed to qualify into the 7/8 open main last weekend at Elkhorn by winning his second moto. And, while it's easy for me to wrap my 40 year old brain around the fact that racing the fast kids is the way that you learn to step up your own game, I also realize, to a little kid, it's got to be intimidating as heck.
About 5 seconds after the gate drops, all heck breaks loose out there, and Dane, who's coming out of gate 6, winds up getting balled up with the fast kids coming in from the outside and another kid who is veering across from the inside, nearly out of control. Suddenly, there's little kids and little bikes, all coming to the same spot on the first jump. The fast kids, including Reece Rankins (who ran an awesome lap, finishing second) separate out, while the clump of kids somehow manages to separate itself, with everybody staying upright. (as a parent, this is where I breath my first huge sigh of relief). But, I can see that Dane is rattled, as riders move by him through the first turn and down the second straight.
As he crosses the line, I give him our customary thumbs up, but, he's not having anything to do with it. He's clearly bummed about finishing last. When I tell him how proud I am of him just for making that main, he breaks into tears. Not, like sniveling little tears of not getting his way, these were the waterfall style that typically seem reserved for life's biggest disappointments. Kids want to make their parents happy, and, at some point, Dane must have come to the conclusion that what makes me happy is him finishing well.
Of course, Dane's still got his "class" main to run, and, his main is coming up fast. Drying tears and giving my rider a pep talk in staging must have just been a strange scene to be sure. And, as I left him going into his staging lane, I had no idea what to expect from his lap. He started from gate 8, with the other riders down in 5 and 3 ... and gave a great chase all the way to the line ... to score the second ... (side note: to anybody who heard a giant whoosh as Dane finished that lap ... that was me finally taking a breath). Seems ironic that he did all the racing but at the end of the day I would speculate that I was just as exhausted as he was.
Nearly 25 years of BMX'ing now, it seems, and I just keep learning something new each time that I go to the track.
Kevin O'
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