Netflix and sprints!!

Well as I’m sure you’re all aware it’s now official, as of Tuesday, BC finally announced a halt to all racing until the end of April at the earliest. Although a little behind a lot of other sporting organisations to pull the plug it was only going to be a matter of time, we are going through very strange times, uncharted territory if you like, the sort of thing that our future generations will be studying in their history lessons. I don’t think you’re human if you don’t have some concern over the situation. Those who know me best will know I’m very laid back but even I’ve had my concerns, mine isn’t health as I think we are all generally fit and healthy enough that we’d get through it but lack of work and money which it seems will be inevitable is a worry. I try to take comfort in the thought that when things get to that stage then the vast majority of the country will be the same and government interventions will be applied!!!

So schools are now to close, for how long who knows, probably not even those who may know, the challenge is going to be keeping them occupied. If yours are anything like Henry, its going to be a challenge for all concerned. Open tracks can be a lure but we shall stay away. I don’t think it’s right in the current situation to unnecessarily take up a seat in A+E. Yes he rides all the time, no he doesn’t have a habit of coming off, but you know what, he’s even less likely to if he’s not riding a track. Hospitals and NHS staff don’t need the extra burden of avoidable services and staff care, their skills are required for a greater good right now. I hate the thought of him not riding the track, and he will be climbing the walls but believe it or not there is a greater issue going on here and we all need to play our part in it, and that extends to all the buffoons who are clearing the shelves of our supermarkets, idiots. I will keep Henry active, sprints, turbo sessions, core work, I see various online offers for training programs around, which I’m sure are great but certainly for me I’m watching my cash right now because although I’m still fortunate to be working, I’m under no illusion, it will cease for a period of time and it will be money for necessities only until things start to return to normal.

It’s a strange time, a worrying time and what will be will be. It made me chuckle to read the odd comment on social media concerning how the rest of the race season is going to play out, how we’ll qualify for this that or the other, dropping regionals to focus on nationals, you probably read them like I did. We’ve had one national weekend and dependant on where you are in the country possibly one regional, what you stressing for?? Once things start returning to normal it will all work itself out don’t stress. If you need a focus, work on your sprints and strength training, offer your services to the elderly and vulnerable in your area, they may be stuck at home and need some shopping, get on the bike, down the shops for them, two in one, helping out whilst getting some training in, booooom.

Lastly for this chapter is look out for each other. It’s often times like these when those you least expect need help actually really need it. If you haven’t heard from someone for a while on social media, phones, texts, whatsapps, snapchat and anything else, give them a call send them a message, it takes nothing now to stay in touch, no excuses. Whilst places are still open try and support your small local guy and that includes your bike shops, the BMX business is a niche market and I hope that everyone in the industry makes it out the other side and will be trackside when normal order resumes.

Stay safe and more appropriately STAYSTRONG

BTW, opinions please. Do you think it would be politically correct to add my masked logo to the catalogue, never know these days what will offend, and if I did add it would you buy. Cheers all.

Bournemouth National

“Didn’t we have a lovely time the day we raced in Bournemouth” It certainly wasn’t your average race weekend was it? I will be the first to hold my hands up and say I honestly didn’t think Bournemouth hosting a national weekend was going to work………….BUT despite the curveball of the great British summer putting pay to Saturdays racing I thought it was probably one of the best this year. The track looked to ride well, spectator viewing was really good, having team/club gazebos set back from the immediate trackside was a real plus,(more of that next year please) parking was close by, camping was perfectly located and, added additional entertainment of watching the occasional unsuspecting adult or child catching their foot in the odd animal burrowing, and going arse over tit!!! Beer tent proved to be a hit despite possibly fueling a little Friday night fight club session, putting on the band was good however it does divide opinion with regard to trying to get younger riders off to sleep on the nearby campsite. They knocked it on the head at just after 10 which I think is just about acceptable, certainly more acceptable than the vocalist who at the end was literally killing ‘The Killers’. The two pump tracks that were put up were getting good use and the eliminator competition on Saturday looked to have drawn good numbers especially considering significant numbers would have left due to the days racing being cancelled.

Saturday ended up feeling really odd, national weekend and no racing. I think a lot of people had a real head scratching moment, either eventually went off exploring or just took the day off and relaxed. Cancelling the days racing was exactly the right call, riders health and safety has to be paramount, and no we’re not mollycoddling here, it was dangerous. The moment a rider or spectator for that matter was involved in any wind related incident be that on track or off, organisers wouldn’t have a leg to stand on, other major events had been cancelled and a weather warning was in place. I did hear of some people voicing their annoyance to organisers, come on, really people!!!! The only thing that possibly could have been done any better was to call it earlier and by that I’m saying to my knowledge the ” Head Honcho” who makes the call didn’t arrive on site until shortly before first practice was due to start. C’mon, you know there’s a situation potential, get there, call it earlier and save yourselves from the hassle of people having wasted journeys, communication people!!!!!! Double points on the Sunday though……………….not sure that was the right call but also understand you’re never going to come up with a solution that would please all, personally it worked out for Henry, he rode well placed 12th and bagged himself good points but others may have had a bad day, been caught up in a crash, and end up with a double helping of duff and no chance of changing things. Like I say not really sure what could have been done that would have pleased all, win some lose some I guess.

Race day Sunday all seemed to run smoothly, and I was hugely impressed by the amount of people that were still around trackside when finals were running, appeared to be way more than normaI and was great to see. Heard the stories regarding the dog that was not taking too kindly to other dogs, then when back home later learn that this was also the dog that was locked up in the car and announced over the MC!!!!!!!! That will explain this posting from Derby regarding the upcoming Brits .

I was a little surprised that there was no celebration of all the Worlds finalists from Zolder. Whether one was planned for Saturday or not I don’t know. Hopefully there will be something done in a couple of weeks in Derby. It may also interest you to know that for whatever reason BC gave no recognition, in fact not even a mention of any of our worlds finalists via their Twitter feed. The junior and elite men and women get the odd tweet but that was all. I guess when considering some of the younger ones there may be some legalities over naming names and all that BUT, to not even come out and say huge congrats to our Challenge class riders who have achieved X,Y, Z……………….shocking!!!!!! Anyone reading this please go check it out and comment if I missed it but don’t think I have. Anyone with good direct contact with BC want to question this???? I keep hearing the sport is in decline, numbers keep dropping, What better way to draw attention than to celebrate WORLD SUCCESS, go through the twitter feed BC are not she about celebrating success, its all over so why shun BMX!!!!!

Anyhow, another national series done, personal best result for Henry finishing 16th, super proud of him, things are really starting to come together for him. Hopefully we can have a good winter season and hit the ground running when we start back next year.

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