RR: Bellflower BMX

[Nagaredama]

Went to Bellflower BMX on Saturday to get some practice for the upcoming SouthRidge Winter Series MTX races. Normally there are a ton of pros there practicing and Saturday was no exception. The 2006 UCI World Champion Javier Colombo was there practicing. The pros usually practice but don't race. Since the track was doing a fundraiser for Tara Llanes they did a full gate of pros to raise money. Pretty amazing to see in person.

In the moto's leading up to the race I had problems balancing on the gate, getting clipped in, and my chain not staying in the gear I wanted. Finally got it down and got worked by 8 year old. Kid was good! I'll be back on Saturday.

My buddy took a couple videos. First is the pro race. Second is me getting working by an 8 year old.

http://video.google.com/videoplay?do...48933938&hl=en



http://video.google.com/videoplay?do...40645118&hl=en

[2wheel_lee]

Thanks for the story!

Were you racing/riding a 4X mtb? How strict are they these days about having frame/stem pads? I also want to start riding Bellflower in the evenings, since it is on my way home from work. I'm also interested in racing MTX at Fontana.

And don't worry about getting schooled by an 8 year old...some of those little tykes freakin' rock!

[Neccros]

hmmmmm Wonder what I'd need to do to my Chameleon to ride it there... chain guide?? Bash guard? Anyone??

[Nagaredama]

Originally Posted by 2wheel_lee

Thanks for the story!

Were you racing/riding a 4X mtb? How strict are they these days about having frame/stem pads? I also want to start riding Bellflower in the evenings, since it is on my way home from work. I'm also interested in racing MTX at Fontana.

And don't worry about getting schooled by an 8 year old...some of those little tykes freakin' rock!

I was racing a 4X mtb, gears and all. Us big wheelers get lumped in with the cruisers. Frame/stems pads are no longer required. You are supposed to wear long pants and long sleeved shirt. Since I was sick of wearing jeans at the track I wore my shorts with 661 knee pads. No one said anything to me. I still brought pants with me just in case.

It is a ton of fun and an awesome work out. When you go shoot me a PM I'll meet you there.

Originally Posted by Neccros

hmmmmm Wonder what I'd need to do to my Chameleon to ride it there... chain guide?? Bash guard? Anyone??

As long as you don't have a kickstand or reflectors you should be okay.

[roadkillross]

dang man, i wouldnt say worked by that kid.. although that was much better than i could do.

[Neccros]

I got a Santa Cruz Chameleon thats perfect for track racing... I got a 5" fork that can be cranked down to 100mm...

I have a set of Ditch Witch wheels(Bolt on) but im not sure if those would be overkill or not....

What kind of rims did you ride?

Originally Posted by Nagaredama

I was racing a 4X mtb, gears and all. Us big wheelers get lumped in with the cruisers. Frame/stems pads are no longer required. You are supposed to wear long pants and long sleeved shirt. Since I was sick of wearing jeans at the track I wore my shorts with 661 knee pads. No one said anything to me. I still brought pants with me just in case.

It is a ton of fun and an awesome work out. When you go shoot me a PM I'll meet you there.



As long as you don't have a kickstand or reflectors you should be okay.

[2wheel_lee]

Originally Posted by Nagaredama

As long as you don't have a kickstand or reflectors you should be okay.

I haven't looked up their schedule lately, so I have no idea when I'll go. However, if/when you go, let me know!

That's good about the pads. Last time I took my mtb to Orange Y, they required I had a frame and stem pad as well as long pants.

Have you been there on normal race days/nights? How many mtbs show up? What cruiser class (age group) do you race in?

[Neccros]

Also I wonder what the Whittier track is like these days... They were rebuilding it from the ground up about 4-5 years ago... I havent been back since...

[2wheel_lee]

Originally Posted by Neccros

I have a set of Ditch Witch wheels(Bolt on) but im not sure if those would be overkill or not....

There is no such thing as overkill. Just ride any wheel and have some fun. Unless you're hitting some huge jumps, any of your wheels will be fine.

No need for a tensioner or guard. Although after seeing your leg yesterday, you may want one!

[Von-Diggity]

I used to go their an weekdays and ride the course. Good workout. They used to have some pretty big jumps behind the bmx track.

[Neccros]

Originally Posted by 2wheel_lee

There is no such thing as overkill. Just ride any wheel and have some fun. Unless you're hitting some huge jumps, any of your wheels will be fine.

No need for a tensioner or guard. Although after seeing your leg yesterday, you may want one!

That was pedal bite!!! I got 5 lines running across the back of my leg in a tight formation...

I might get a bash guard just for more clearence since I wouldnt be riding the big ring anyways

[Nagaredama]

Originally Posted by 2wheel_lee

I haven't looked up their schedule lately, so I have no idea when I'll go. However, if/when you go, let me know!

That's good about the pads. Last time I took my mtb to Orange Y, they required I had a frame and stem pad as well as long pants.

Have you been there on normal race days/nights? How many mtbs show up? What cruiser class (age group) do you race in?

Saturday was a normal race it just happened to be the Tara benefit.

When I go there is normally myself and my buddy on MTB's and sometimes someone else. Over the winter we had about 5 MTB's on gate for one race. You get grouped in the cruiser class. Depending on how many cruisers are there they classes vary. Saturday the cruiser class had 4 entries ranging in age from 8 to 40/50 something.

Below are the links to Bellflower and Simi BMX.

http://www.bellflowerbmx.com

http://www.svbmx.com

[allison]

Originally Posted by Nagaredama

Can anyone help me with the Google Video Tags?

[Edog]

Can't you rent the whole track out? I'm pretty sure my nephew got the onr in orange for his Bday party. Could there be an STR Track day in the works

[Flat Broke]

Originally Posted by Edog

Can't you rent the whole track out? I'm pretty sure my nephew got the onr in orange for his Bday party. Could there be an STR Track day in the works

That is a bad ass idea!!!! I don't know if the whole "hollywood sports" complex also manages the Bellflower BMX track, but if they do, I'd bet you could get something going on a non race/practice night. With the light growing shorter in the evenings, this could be a fun addition to some night rides.

As for the earlier question about "overkill" rims, if anything, I'd be looking to switch to whatever lightweight rims I had laying around. The surface is plenty uniform and unless you case a double or something you should be fine.

Chris

[Letyrides]

Haha....I was thinking it would be fun to have my birthday there. Do you think they would think it's weird for a 30 something to rent out the track for her friends?! Ehhh...who cares! I know STR folk would be game and of course my derby girls but not sure about my "normal" friends. They all think I'm nuts as it is. Stay tuned!

[surlygal]

Originally Posted by Letyrides

Haha....I was thinking it would be fun to have my birthday there. Do you think they would think it's weird for a 30 something to rent out the track for her friends?! Ehhh...who cares! I know STR folk would be game and of course my derby girls but not sure about my "normal" friends. They all think I'm nuts as it is. Stay tuned!

Do it!

[Rob]

Originally Posted by Letyrides

Do you think they would think it's weird for a 30 something to rent out the track for her friends?!

I thought you were like 22

[2wheel_lee]

Lety, it would be great if we could find a 30 something to rent it for us. We need adult supervision.

What do you mean by normal friends? I thought all of your friends either skate or ride bikes...?

UHG...I turn 39 next week. Ouch!

[xhuskr]

I teach almost right across the street and did not know there was a BMX track....could be some fun lunch riding!