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BMX is BACK!!! in Grand Rapids Michigan!!! UPDATED

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Education & Training with GLREA

The OLD School BMX riders will remember the Grand Rapids, Michigan tracks from the late 80's and early 90's. It has been said that we had the 5th largest ridership in the US history!

Two Die Hard OLD SCHOOL riders, Tim Irwin and Ted Ruys are responsible for bringing BMX back to Grand Rapids, Michigan! These gentlemen have negotiate a long, hard two years with the city of Grand Rapids to find a site suitable for a new NBL sanctioned track in Grand Rapids, Michigan.

NBL logo

Thank you Tim and Ted! Thank You City of Grand Rapids, Michigan!

Thank you Parent Volunteers and the NBL!!!

In 2008 in Beijing, BMX racing will be an official Olympic Sport. The roots of BMX go back to the late 1960's where it was a sport started in the state of California. Currently, there are around 380 BMX tracks throughout the US. These tracks are operated completely by volunteer parent organizations and what a production it is to attend a weekend or weeknight of BMX racing!

In July I had the opportunity to attend the UCI World Championship BMX Race in Victoria, British Columbia to watch my daughter compete!

Victoria BC World UCI Championship 2007

Here is my daughter and just a few of her fellow team mates from TEAM USA!

I took this picture while they were trying to assemble the team of athletes for pictures!

How heartwarming it was to see a sea of red, white and blue worn by so many young (and old!) athletes from all social statures.

My daughter Alica actually received a podium position that day!

Alicia Worlds UCI Championship 2007

How sweet is that for a parent to be able to say that?

(Alicia is on the far right of the podium next to the girl in the green shirt.)

So What Is Going On With The Track?

Our track is fortunate to have Nagel Construction generous enough to be hauling in load after load of clay and dirt to our location.

Soon, Tom Ritz will show up!

Tom Ritz BMX Track Builder

Tom Ritz built the Olympic BMX track in Bejing China, the World Championship Track in Victoria, British Columbia Canada and is currently in France building a UCI track. Our track will be World Class!!

We will be ready for racing in the spring! We will have incentives for riders and volunteer positions available for parents!

Also...don't forget to check out the sponsorship opportunities available for people who are looking for a 501C to donate to!

Anyone wishing to donate to creating our World Class track please check out sponsorship opportunities at GR BMX .

There are many sponsorship opportunities still available.

AND...

Calling All Riders.......

Or anyone with even the faintest inclination.

BMX is a great sport. Jeff wrote a while back about his young children getting involved. This is a great sport for children...but never forget...us big kids can also ride! It's fun and gets you involved! I started riding a year ago and am having a blast! I just need more competition! Come on Ladies! and Gentlemen!

Come on out and have some fun! Ma Bigelow - Your Go Green Lender - GR Michigan BMX

Help me Give Tim, Ted...the City of Grand Rapids Officials and all the other great people involved in this World Class Track a round of applause!

WATCH THE AWESOME VIDEO!
Show All Comments
Jeff R. Geoghan
Coldwell Banker Realty - Lancaster, PA
REALTOR, Marketing Manager
My boys just got the "official" ABA cards in the mail today, with their new numbers.  
Oct 10, 2007 04:58 AM
Mary McGraw
GLREA - Rockford, MI
2015: Solar Energy Is Still A Simple Machine!
Jeff - Exicting! Are you still racing at your track or is it done for the year? Do you have an indoor track for winter riding?
Oct 10, 2007 05:03 AM
Gary Smith
Agent Marketing Today - Commerce Township, MI

Mary,  Now that I'm done playing "hooky"

Glad you posted, glad to see something goodd coming to Michigan

Hope the racers are able to breath in Beijing. I heard that even with keeping half the cars on the outskirts of the City, they still had terrible pollution.

Oct 10, 2007 02:37 PM
Anonymous
Ted Ruys
Mary as always you do an awesome job of promoting and representing the great sport of BMX! Also Congrats to Alicia for dominating last weeks National in Ohio. GRBMX is gonna be awesome and you and your familes involvement is one of the reasons why.
Oct 10, 2007 03:13 PM
#9
Stefan Scholl
Buyer's Broker of Northern Michigan, LLC - Petoskey, MI
Northern Michigan Real Estate
Sounds cool, Mary.  I don't know much about BMX, but my son did save up and buy a trick bike this summer.  He loves to ride on dirt tracks through the woods near our house, and he has a small ramp he likes to mess around with.  I am sure he is a budding BMXer. 
Oct 10, 2007 04:43 PM
Mary McGraw
GLREA - Rockford, MI
2015: Solar Energy Is Still A Simple Machine!

Gary - Good to see you! Were you playing hooky anywhere special? That's an interesting comment about Beijing. It will be interesting having the Olympians breathing in pollution. Maybe that's how they will do the competition in!

Waterford has a great track. It was where the UCI Championships were held this past June. 

 

Oct 10, 2007 05:00 PM
Mary McGraw
GLREA - Rockford, MI
2015: Solar Energy Is Still A Simple Machine!
Ted - Thank you on Alicia's behalf! Also, thank you for everything YOU are doing to get this track going! It will be great with all the wonderful people involved in making it happen! You Rock!
Oct 10, 2007 05:01 PM
Mary McGraw
GLREA - Rockford, MI
2015: Solar Energy Is Still A Simple Machine!
Stefan - that is great! Traverse City has a great track for young riders. They have tremendous support and will have around 80 riders (give or take) at their local races. I believe it is the most successful track in the state. Here is a link to the Michigan NBL Tracks. It would be great if you could get to TC and check it out! Tell Mike Lit (track director) Ma sent you!
Oct 10, 2007 05:07 PM
Jeff R. Geoghan
Coldwell Banker Realty - Lancaster, PA
REALTOR, Marketing Manager
Our track is open until the end of November.  My problem is coaching both my sons - they are already on different levels of performance.  They are both in the same class, too!  I'm having a hard time rooting for one or the other during the motos.
Oct 11, 2007 08:52 AM
Mary McGraw
GLREA - Rockford, MI
2015: Solar Energy Is Still A Simple Machine!
That's a tough one Jeff. Sometimes you just have to stand by the finish line and high 5 them both when they are done. Good to know you are still able to ride, though. Are tracks are pretty much done for the year. My daughter did drive to Lansing to practice the other day. Good luck with the boys. You'll work it out (or one will move up!)
Oct 11, 2007 09:34 AM
Mary McGraw
GLREA - Rockford, MI
2015: Solar Energy Is Still A Simple Machine!
Jeff - are you getting on a cruiser or a 20" in the spring? Let me know!
Oct 11, 2007 03:09 PM
Jeff R. Geoghan
Coldwell Banker Realty - Lancaster, PA
REALTOR, Marketing Manager
Hah!  I don't know if the wife will let me kill myself competing.  With my bad hip I'd probably end up in the hospital...
Oct 12, 2007 06:42 AM
Gary White~Grand Rapids Home Selling Pro Call: 616-821-9375
Flexit Realty "Flexible Home Selling Solutions" - Grand Rapids, MI
Real Estate Services You can Trust!
Mary, pretty "cool" stuff, I remember buying my son trick pegs for the front and back of his BMX.  During the race stuff they had to be removed.  You did a great job with the photos, write-up and the promo.  Very nice Mary.
Oct 12, 2007 12:48 PM
Mary McGraw
GLREA - Rockford, MI
2015: Solar Energy Is Still A Simple Machine!
Jeff- funny. Be careful! It's a contagious sport!
Oct 12, 2007 11:48 PM
Mary McGraw
GLREA - Rockford, MI
2015: Solar Energy Is Still A Simple Machine!
Gary - I think my son started with some trick pegs also and a small jump he built at a local park. Then he researched a found an indoor track that is now closed. I stopped at the track yesterday. We had 90 loads of clay delivered this past week. Pretty exciting to see it start taking place! Thanks for the comments Gary!
Oct 12, 2007 11:51 PM
Ed Vogt
Midwest Properties of Michigan - Grandville, MI
Grandville, MI Midwest Properties
Sounds like a great way to get in shape:)  So is Alicia going to try for the 2008 Olympics?
Oct 13, 2007 02:54 AM
Mary McGraw
GLREA - Rockford, MI
2015: Solar Energy Is Still A Simple Machine!
HI Ed - Yes, it's a good workout especially when it is 90 degrees! It's a little late for '08. The picks are being groomed. Maybe '12?
Oct 15, 2007 12:56 AM
Mary McGraw
GLREA - Rockford, MI
2015: Solar Energy Is Still A Simple Machine!

Hi Gary - No Solar Powered Lights to the track yet but that may be in our future! THAT would be cool!

I had an interesting conversation with Tom Ritz -- the WORLDS GREATEST TRACK BUILDER! about the pollution you spoke of in China. I said, "I heard we will all need to ride with oxygen masks on." He confirmed. Evidently, his driver who keeps the car buffed and waxed, parked for less than an hour outside the track and had a considerable amount - 1/8" or better - of build up from pollution on his car. Wow!

I hope China can cure the pollution problems - I know they are working on them. Thanks for giving me something interesting and of value to talk about with Tom! PS...Tom drives a recycled NOVA! I will post a picture soon! 

Oct 18, 2007 04:11 PM
Ed Vogt
Midwest Properties of Michigan - Grandville, MI
Grandville, MI Midwest Properties
Hello Mary:  Just stopping by to chat and see what's up with you.  Haven't heard from you in awhile or read any new posts.  What's happening with the new career? 
Nov 28, 2007 03:06 AM
Mary McGraw
GLREA - Rockford, MI
2015: Solar Energy Is Still A Simple Machine!
Hi Ed, Thanks for checking on me! It's been exciting and busy getting the Renewable business set up. We have had a lot of interest and have done several site evaluations. We "landed" our first solar domestic hot water system yesterday! Exciting! I've been away from the computer weekends and busy during the week. I'm hoping to get some writing done this weekend! Thanks again!
Nov 29, 2007 02:22 PM
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