For the 25th year, CNY BMX will provide a venue for those brave enough to take on the hills and corners of the track.
The bicycle Motocross Track in Bridgewater began in 1999. Racing officially starts next week after an Open House May1 and 2 at the track.
Despite the quarter- century presence of the track - tucked away behind the Town of Bridgewater Highway Garage and Town Park - Board member Erika Carrier said the track still gets overlooked.
“I talk about it and people say, oh, where’s that?,’’ she said.
Practices are Monday nights for two hours and racing is on Wednesday
nights. Carrier said it’s open to anyone; a regular racer is in his 70s, she said.
Her now-9-year-old son started at 18 months old on a Strider bike, one without pedals.
Young riders up to age 5 have their own track within the racing track so they can get the hang of going up and down hills and around the corners.
People can also come just to practice, she said.
“Not everyone wants to race, or right away,’’ Carrier said. “The rhythm riders use part of the track to get comfortable with it.
“When the gate drops (to signal the start of a race) it can be loud and some of the kids get scared. Some riders need to get used to the track and riding with other riders,’’ Carrier said.
CNY BMX is volunteer run and managed by the Executive Board. The organization is a non-profit that raises all its own funding to operate and maintain the track.
“It’s a lot of work,’’ Carrier said. “We put in time getting the track ready and then are here on practice and race nights.
“But it’s all for the kids,’’ she said. “After the first practice a kid either loves it or doesn’t want to do it again. The ones who love it light up when here.’’
Most race nights bring in about 30 riders.
Carrier said parents with children who have autism have found the track to be an accepting and fun place for their kids.
“You must come and ride your bike,’’ she said.
Racing is in three levels: Novice, Intermediate and Expert.
Riders move up based on experience and ability. ...
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