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Show Wednesday. April a 2005 D1 Expressions Community Calendar BMX track attracts bikers of all ages By Carissa Magee Express Writer Legend has it that Bicycle Motocross (BMX) was started in the 1970s somewhere in California. A bunch of teenagers teen-agers who, on modified 20" Schwann Stingray bicycles, began riding in a vacant neighborhood neigh-borhood lot trying to imitate their motocross heros. Later a gathering of unknown BMX riders were recorded on film to create the Bicycle Motocross film "On Any Sunday" and the rest is history... BMX riding grabbed the attention of kids all around the nation in just one summer. Kids were soon seen on their modified bicycles riding in fields in every neighborhood imitating their motorcycle heroes. Soon mere imitations became a true sport with kids performing BMX tricks of their own. By the end of the 70s BMX races were a commonly seen occurrence all around the country coun-try and a national sanctioning body for BMX racing was created cre-ated and entitled the American Bicycle Association (ABA). The ABA completely changed BMX riding for future years to come. One of the first steps the ABA took was to create cre-ate a system of fair qualification, qualifica-tion, one that was able to keep the competitive nature of the sport and give every rider the chance to be a winner. Since then BMX riding has continued to gain popularity all around the country with actual ABA certified racing tracks, with many around the state of Utah. The ABA is now the world's largest national sanctioning sanction-ing body. It also supplied the world's first national tour, the first Pro purse, the first Cruiser class competition, the first sanction to call fouls as they occur, the first starting light system and automatic gate system sys-tem in racing and many other firsts. Saturday, April 9 was the grand opening of the Uintah Recreation BMX track in Vernal. Riders from all over the surrounding areas were among the participants in the first track race the Vernal BMX track had seen. The Vernal Dinamites were invited to help commemorate the grand opening by participating partici-pating in the ribbon cutting ceremony that took place at the top of the first hill. The track was created from donations, sponsors and volunteers volun-teers from all over the Basin area. The land is actually the property of Uintah School District but is currently under lease with Uintah Parks and Recreation. The track will have fully sanctioned races with categories cat-egories of age and ability classifications. clas-sifications. "With over 250 sponsors, many volunteers and a lot of hard work we finally got the track put together," said Troy Lupcho of Altitude Cycle. Vernal Dinamites along with Troy Lupcho and many others In association with Troy Lupcho of Altitude Cycle cheers 'A Steele Handy enjoys the dirt and speed Troy has been the driving force behind the installation of a BMX track in Vernal for nearly three years now and it has finally been accomplished. Troy, a world champion BMX rider, wanted a place for the youth and adults of the Basin area to go and really ride BMX. A true course would also provide pro-vide the capability for races to be held right here in the Basin. After working with every agency possible to get the track going, he was finally granted his request when John Millicam, a member of the Uintah Recreation Board came to him with a possible place for the BMX track. "We went for a ride and he showed me this spot and asked if it would work out okay. I told him it would be a great spot and asked when could we get started," said Troy. After all of the needed preparations prepa-rations were made, they got to work on the project "Many people got involved in the construction con-struction and we now have a phenomenal track for everyone, every-one, adults and children, to ride on," stated Lupcho. on riders as they test out the hills of of the BMX experience. So what is all of the BMX excitement about? Well, since 1982 there have been World Championships for BMX Racing. Freestyle, or stunt riding, rid-ing, has grown significantly in popularity since added to the ESPN X-Games in 1998. BMX riding is a family oriented ori-ented sport that can be fun for all ages. There is a lot more to it than just winning or losing and you don't need a fancy bike to race, although you do need a bike. With the Vernal track there is ample opportunity for many to ride. There is not necessarily a charge to enter the track but for ABA sanctioned races there will be entry fees and trophies will be awarded. For racing, bicycle wheels are regularly no larger than 20" in diameter. You need to have the kickstand removed for safety purposes along with reflectors and bikes must have the required pads. Also needed are number-plates if you are involved in racing. Long sleeve shirts, long pants and helmets are recommended for everyday riding and required for racing. the tracks opening on Saturday. Life ar . irm -r '.'-.af the Uintah Recreation BMX Track. l5 7 --i Q BMX riders enjoy "getting air" at the "The sport of BMX riding is a great family sport and the new track will truthfully help with the economic development develop-ment of Vernal since it brings in people from all over the surrounding sur-rounding area," says Lupcho. BMX riding has become a very popular event for many people around the country and has continued to grow for many families in the Basin area as well. Altitude Cycle actually has its own traveling team which competes around the state in BMX racing. The age groups range from as young as five years old to participants in Troy's age group. One racer by the name of Steele Handy from Dutch John races on the team because he says it is something fun to do. "It's such a great activity for these kids, and adults, to get involved in," says Stu Handy, Steele's dad and bike rider himself. him-self. "It gets them out and gives them some great exercise. If you go around that track one time you'll see just what I mean! It gives you a real workout" work-out" BMX racing is a sport of . V - "AM --zzy? -'. , , . . - r,.." - ; --" - , 7 r lib. -'"..sy .... tal-i'. )r BMX park now in Vernal. r v ,' .-,: c Even the little riders had a chance to test out the dirt of the track. acheivement for all ages in the American family. Children learn skills while racing BMX at an individual pace but they are also learning important skills about being a winner, a fair loser and learning to try again. It also provides quality qual-ity time to be spent with family while supporting each other's achievements. The Uintah Recreation BMX track looks to be an exciting place for bike enthusiasts to visit throughout the summer months with races starting in the next few weeks. The track is located at 500 South 2375 West in a neighborhood that if you really weren't looking, you could miss the track entirely. Although ample in size and hills big enough for even the older rider, it is tucked back and out of main road sight There is always a need for volunteers and donations to keep the track in good condition condi-tion so any residents interested interest-ed in assisting with the track, races, events or just helping with the cause are welcome to do so. Or if you just want to see some adorable kids racing with all of the enthusiasm and heart they can muster, this is a great place to do so. April 13 Utah State University Uintah Basin is hosting a parentstudent par-entstudent evening at UHS, Wednesday, April 13 at 6 p.m. in the Library in conjunction with ParentTeacher conference. con-ference. The purpose of the meeting is to explain the concurrent con-current program. Individuals from USU-UB student services as well as high school counselors counsel-ors will be present to discuss the program and to answer any questions from parents and students. The Family History Center will be hosting a class entitled enti-tled Lookups and Queries by instructor Denice Hunting at 5:15 p.m. The Uintah Basin Association of Governments HEAT program still has money available. For anyone any-one needing help who has not already applied, please call 781-2021 in Vernal or 722- 5218 in Roosevelt This pro gram has been extended to September 30, 2005. April 15 The Uintah County Library will celebrate its 97th birthday birth-day Friday, April 15. The women who made the centennial centen-nial dolls will be honored during dur-ing this free public event April 16 Utah State University is sponsoring a workshop entitled enti-tled "Making the Most of Your Small Acreage" on Saturday, April 16 at the Roosevelt USU Campus. Fees which include lunch are $20 per couple if reg istered by April 11 or $30 per individual on-site. For more information contact Uintah County Extension at 781-5452. April 17 PFLAG Uintah Basin will meet at 6 p.m. April 17. For meeting place contact P.O. Box 1101 Vernal, UT 84078, call 790-3802, or email pflaguintahyahoo.com. April 18 The annual stockhold ers meeting of the Vernal Investment and - Amusement Company will be held Monday, April 18 at 3 p.m. in the company office at 23 East Main Street in Vernal. April 19 The Family History Center is hosting a class entitled Cemetery Records of the Internet by instructor Karen Coombs at 5:15 p.m. April 20 National Volunteer Week is April 17-23. The Uintah County Library will be celebrating cel-ebrating with a pizza party for youth and volunteers at 4 p.m. April 20. The Family History Center is hosting a class entitled Heritage Quest Online-Book Section and Perci by instructor instruc-tor Jan Schroeder at 10 a.m. and a class entitled Cemetery Records on the internet at 7 p.m. April 22 Line dancing in Roosevelt for adult singles 31 and older at Roosevelt 1st and 4th Ward building at 7 p.m. April 24 The Roosevelt 1st and 4th ward building will be hosting host-ing a Fireside at 7 p.m. The Cavanaghs will be speaking about their mission to India. April 23 Rising Star Riders will hold a Hairy Horse Schooling Show. Registration is 9 a.m. with show starting at 10 a.m. This is an open show so everyone is invited to attend. For more information contact Jacque at 789-2367 or Janet at 789-3696. April 25 The Family History Center will be hosting a class entitled U.S. Genweb by instructor Larae Perry at 3 p.m. Monday, April 25 and Tuesday, April 27 at 7 p.m. April 29 Vernal Utah Uintah Stake Conference Temple Day Friday, April 29 at 7:45 p.m. To place items of public interst on the Community Calendar, mail to the Vernal Express, P.O. Box 1000, Email editorvernal.com, or call the Vernal Express at 789-3511. , |