July Recap....BMX

Our neighbors had been telling us for a while about a BMX track up in South Jordan. It is actually a "park" owned by Salt Lake County, but run by a group of BMX enthusiasts. There is one evening a week you can go do practice runs, and then another evening to go and do the races. The outdoor track is open from late spring until the end of September, and then the winter season moves to a couple of larger nearby events/equestrian centers....I guess they just share it with the horses(?!). At the beginning of the race evening, they do a little thing called the "Big Wheel". It's a short race at just the end of the track for the younger kids to give them something to do and basically to build up their enthusiasm and "start 'em young"! They separate the kids into age groups, give them a countdown and push, and then at the end, they ALL get a trophy! The best part is the "big wheel" is FREE!

So in July, right before Jared's 5th BDay, we decided to go for it. We got to the track in hopes of Jared doing a couple of practice runs....well, in order to do a real practice run, you have to sign up for a race and pay. Since we weren't doing that, Ron asked if he could push Jared out on the last turn and bumps on the track a couple times between practice groups, and they were okay with that. Jared LOVED it! The concentration on his face was awesome, and he did really well....especially considering he has a regular heavy Huffy BMX bike from Toys R Us and not a "race" BMX bike. When it came time for his "race" he lined up, they said go, Ron gave him a push, and he left all the other kids in the dust! He. was. thrilled!



They gave him the trophy and he just stood there facing the bleachers holding it up so the crowd could see as if there was a ceremony or something. I still tear up thinking about how absolutely fantastic it was that he was so proud of what he had done! Oh, how I love this kid!


Jared really wanted to go back up and do it for real....but the start ramp really freaked me out....about a 2 1/2 story drop, and pretty steep for a five year old! You do get a one-time free "try it out" race before you pay the $45 yearlong membership fee to the American Biking Association-BMX, so maybe this winter we'll hit the indoor track....

For anyone in Utah that wants to check it out, here's their site. For everyone else, here's the national site where you can look and find a BMX track near you!