In Severn, BMX bicycle racing for young and old
On a spring night at Chesapeake BMX in Severn, the pursuit of the night was speed. With the smell of hamburgers grilling in the air, brother helped brother, father helped sons and even a grandmother helped her granddaughter, all in the pursuit of pedal power. This wasn’t about the jumps or tricks, like the X Games. It was about the shrieks of children as young as two, and the panting of adults as old as 57 as they raced bicycles on a 1180-foot dirt and asphalt course.
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- Racers’ front bike tires are pressed against the starting gate awaiting the “gate drop” at the start of a BMX race. At the Chesapeake BMX track in Severn, bike racers from ages 2 to 57 tackle an 1180-foot course, with being first to the finish as the only goal. (Gene Sweeney Jr./Baltimore Sun Photo)
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- The gate drops and the riders head down a steep ramp to the course at the Chesapeake BMX track in Severn, Md. (Gene Sweeney Jr./Baltimore Sun Photo)
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- Rolando Camacho leads the pack on a practice run in preparation for the night’s races at the Chesapeake BMX track in Severn. (Gene Sweeney Jr./Baltimore Sun Photo)
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- Five-year-old Bradley Hewitt leads his “5 and Under Novice” group to the finish line during practice last Friday night at Chesapeake BMX in Severn. (Gene Sweeney Jr./Baltimore Sun)
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- Racer Ava Yockelson studies the starting gate before her turn on at the Chesapeake BMX track in Severn, Md. (Gene Sweeney Jr./Baltimore Sun Photo)
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- Racer Brandon Carroll gives his young brother Colin Baldwin (age 4 1/2) some pointers before he climbs up to the starting gate at the Chesapeake BMX track in Severn, Md. (Gene Sweeney Jr./Baltimore Sun Photo)
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- Dalton Williams has his eyes firmly placed on the finish line as he leads the way in his “moto.” (Gene Sweeney Jr./Baltimore Sun Photo)
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- Tyler Flick, from Manheim, Pa., leads the way around one of the two banked turns that make up part of the Chesapeake BMX race track. (Gene Sweeney Jr./Baltimore Sun Photo)
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- Dylan Mulligan, 10, has his knee pads on as he prepares to head to the track for practice. (Gene Sweeney Jr./Baltimore Sun Photo)
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- The gate drops and the riders try to catch their shadows as the lights take hold at the starting gate for the races. (Gene Sweeney Jr./Baltimore Sun Photo)
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- Tony Williams adjusts the brakes on his son’s bike before track time. (Gene Sweeney Jr./Baltimore Sun Photo)
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- Too young to work on his bike, Lucas Williams (6) looks on as his dad Tony Williams airs up his bike tires in preparation for a run on the track. (Gene Sweeney Jr./Baltimore Sun Photo)
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- Although Dave Dermatis just lost an exhibition race to his dog Russell, there seem to be no hard feeling as they head back to the staging area. (Gene Sweeney Jr./Baltimore Sun Photo)
The Chesapeake BMX race course is operated by a small group of dedicated individuals whose goal is to have a place where BMX enthusiasts can race and have a good time. Anne Arundel County helps with the land and utilities, but the track care and operation is all handled by the volunteers – some of whom had children who raced and now want to pass along the fun and camaraderie to others.
For as little as $240, visitors can purchase a used bike and helmet and set out to go racing. They are grouped by age and experience and judged only by the time it takes to complete the course. There may be some gentle ribbing by the track announcers and your peers, but it all seems in good fun, and for the $10 registration fee, tough to beat for value.
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Art O'Connor
May 15, 2013 @ 11:02:13
What a beautiful sight. Kids having fun with their parents. Nice.