Check out BMX racing in the Triangle

So I was dog sitting a couple of weeks ago and I took the pooches for a walk at Raleigh’s Lions Park. It’s there that I happened upon a BMX track. I thought it was strange that a track would be allowed at a city park in these litigious times. But there it was. For the next few days I walked the dogs past the track, and finally managed to catch some BMX racers.

Pardon the shaky camera, but I was holding onto the leashes for two dogs who weren’t as interested in the race as I was.

So it turns out the track is run by Capital City BMX Association, a volunteer organization made up of the parents of local riders and adults who race at Lion’s Park. It looks like this may be the only BMX track in the Triangle (correct me if you know of others).

Coincidentally, I’ve received several e-mails in the past couple weeks from the Amerian Bicycle Association saying BMX racing made its Olympic debut this year. I watched some of it on TV last week and it was a little exciting, especially when riders fell. I couldn’t help but think how disappointing it would be to make it all the way to the Olympics and then fall of your bike. Or worse, have the rider next to you knock you over on their way down.

If you want to check it out for yourself there are races scheduled for Sept. 7 and Sept. 14.

So anyone want to give BMX racing a try? I’m not sure my beach cruiser would do so well on the track.