Great Northwest Nationals
Some 1,200 racers from across the region came to Redmond this weekend to compete in the American Bicycle Association’s BMX Great Northwest Nationals at the Deschutes County Fair & Expo Center. The Great Northwest is one of 34 ABA Nationals scheduled for 2011, and the fourth of the year. Surely, too, this event is an apt follow up to the last post . . . Bend Named #2 “Death-Defyng” City in the USA
The event was staged in Redmond for the fourth consecutive year. Races were run on Saturday and Sunday.
“We’re hoping for a good turnout,” says Redmond’s Tracy Stephens, an organizer of the event. “All of the nationals have been up 9 percent in attendance this season. We’re hoping we follow the trend.”
Scores of riders from High Desert BMX in Bend and Smith Rock BMX in Redmond were expected to race this weekend, along with hundreds of others from around the Pacific Northwest, and some from as far away as the East Coast.
Bicycle Motocross
In BMX (bicycle motocross), racers pedal smaller, single-gear bikes with 20- or 24-inch wheels
on short dirt circuit tracks that include roller jumps, tabletops and high-banked turns.
Many of the riders raced this weekend in Redmond compete throughout the year in national events to earn points toward a national ranking. Others are local riders who simply want to race in a national-caliber event. A highlight of the event was Eric Meyer’s attempted comeback; a local legend, he had not been on a bike for seven years. After a National Age Group # 1 this year in the 26-30 cruiser class, Eric got the holeshot Saturday and was looking good for the win, but then made a small mistake on a jump
where AZ homeboy Brandon Panuchio took over the lead from that point, and went on for the win. I’m just trying to get the vernacular down!
The Great Northwest Nationals was open to any rider with an ABA membership.
Benjiman
West Coast rapper, Benjiman (who?) also appeared.
The event gave local BMX riders a chance to begin their season early and get motivated for another year of racing.
For a change of pace . . . search for homes in Bend.
