BOOOOOOOM, there goes another year of regionals. It really does only seem a short time ago we all rocked up at Burnham on Sea for round 1 back in March. All eager to see how our winter exploits have set us up against our rivals, who looks ‘on it’ and who looks a tad race rusty, who’s got a new bike, new helmet, new wheels, who’s in what team, you know how it is and now here we are 10 rounds completed later, regional champions crowned, winners congratulated others commiserated. In amongst it all there was a run of 9 weekends of back to back racing which pretty much rolled into ten if you raced The Worlds in Zolder. Can’t tell you why, but unlike other years where we’ve had similar lengthy runs, it didn’t seem bad this year, maybe it was the way the regionals and nationals were nicely mixed I’m not sure.

Regionally it was a big year for the transponder system, love it, hate it or just don’t really care, I think it’s here to stay, so if you love it, happy days, if you don’t, suggest you get to love it, if you don’t really care, well you just keep paying the cash…………….For me I think it’s been great, it’s precise, decisive, informative. It’s massively sped up the whole race day, and we all love getting back home that little earlier right??? Yes it’s had it’s teething problems, as Henry would be able to tell you……….but hopefully lessons have been learnt and any Gremlins or kinks in the armour will be ironed out. The biggest advantage I see from it is the data and it’s capability of being used as a training tool. Yes we are fortunate enough to have the system in place at Decoy and Exeter which means we can utilise it away from a race day, we can quantifiably see the difference changes to technique or bike make for better or worse. What I also think it brings is a physical reality. I look at Henry now, yes he’s getting older and hopefully maturing in his head towards constructive track time, but I also see that the transponder system has given him personal goals, goals that he can now see. Gone are the days where I have to remind him to practice gates, he does them off his own back, and he does them because he can see a time, he knows his best hill time and he tries to be as consistant to it as possible or better still beat it!!! Anyway, digressing slightly, I think it’s great and hope that it may roll out into national series in the near future.

For the vast majority of races we’ve had MC Neil guiding us through the days races assisted with cracking tunes from DJ Flavs . Race day MC is a tough job and for a relative newbie I think he does a blinder. It’s an undervalued job and the one race without it this year just goes to highlight how different a race day can feel without music or commentary, it seemed really flat and lacking the normal buzz of a race day. Whilst on the topic of tough jobs, a huge round of applause also goes out to all those involved with the day to day running of the region, Lee on the computer, Hugh as regional chair along with all its serving members, Nichola in her welfare role and Mr Leggett and his band of merry grey coats all of whom are essential to putting on a race. There is way more to BMX racing than just what goes on a race day and if that intrigues you I’m sure you’ll always be welcomed to help.

It was the year for gate issues, it seemed nearly every race had a gate issue of some kind, Henry particularly getting some bad luck committing and going flying over twice, but small hold ups aside nothing that wasn’t fixed and racing resumed.

On the whole regionals seemed a little quieter than in previous years, I can’t be certain but I wouldn’t mind betting that numbers were down this year. If so, question is, why? One reason bound to be thrown in is the increased costs due to introduction of the transponders. Put politely BOBBINS. The younger age groups up to say 12’s have pretty healthy numbers peaking in male 10’s with 28 beyond that the numbers drop off as low as 3 in male 16’s. Yes I know some age groups are false due to riders racing up but there is no denying that beyond 13 the numbers drop. For me it’s about results. The likelihood of newbies getting into the sport above this age has got to be low so numbers fall due to existing riders dropping out of the sport. Once you get to those teenage years unless you are really in the mix or just totally love riding then I think its really easy to become disheartened and loose the love. You’re turning up race after race competing against the same kids, beating the same few, loosing to the others, easy to become demoralised. How do you keep those kids interested??? How do you keep them coming back and trying again?? It’s got to be about perceived achievable gains. I am that Dad that sends his child to sports day and says ‘ Son it’s not about taking part it’s about winning’, however I don’t expect him to suddenly massively over achieve. It has to be down to parents, coaches, friends, team mates to set realistic goals for these kids. Smaller achievable recognisable goals that will keep the fire burning.

Team competition was eradicated this year, not 100% sure on the reasoning, I heard part of the reason was the new Sqorz system doesn’t cater for it, and another was trying to encourage better club representation at regionals. I’m not sure this really worked, other than a noticeable increase in Bideford tops ( loosing their national team Absolute ones, fair play to them) I don’t think things really changed, team gazebos are still present and subsequent divisions are still there. If teams are going to still represent why not take the entry fees and and go with it???

Personal levels, Henry had a good year, finishing third in a super tough age group. On paper I think that’s where I’d put him, on his day when he hooks it all up like he did a few times this year he can win, he just needs consistency and self belief, it will come. Hoping to finish the season strong with a good showing at Bournemouth national, The Brits and SW Champs. See you all back for round 1 again next year 😁

Got any particular memories of this year’s racing, or have an opinion on what you’ve just read, bang in a comment and don’t forget to like and subscribe, cheers 👌🏼😁