"I've payed my money to race- is that enough?"
Posted: Wed Apr 06, 2005 12:22 pm
So there I was...
Over the years, I've had several conversations with Utah bmx riders and family members. This topic has come up so many times.
Is it enough to just pay your entry fee, race, and be done? Or, is there an expectation to do more to help out at the tracks; volunteer, rake, shovel, pull weeds, pick up trash, recruit new riders, hand out ribbons, stage racers, hose down the corners, treat wounds, work the gate, take pictures or video, fix bikes, sell product, sing the national anthem, and help out others in any way possible.......?
In my opinion- the answer is YES! AND NO!
It IS enough to get home from work, throw your bikes in the vehicle, and scurry to the track just in time for you to register your kid to race. They get a few laps in, you race and you throw the bikes back in the car and head home for a little rest before you work the rest of your life away. At least you spent some quality time with your kids having a good time. I was raised on a bmx track and the life lessons were invaluable! (this is a post for another time!-Life's lessons learned on a bmx track.)
This is the story of my Father. My parents are both hard working blue collar folks who found time out of their busy life to give me a BMX experience. That is all they had. Not much time was given to the track, or others, but we grew closer as a family and had many memories to talk about at Sunday dinner. We still throw a BMX story in around the table every now and then.
So there you have it! Stop feeling guilty about all you can't give and be glad you can participate in the Utah bmx community. Your role is important! No matter how small it may be! It's okay to sit up in the stands and watch the races without getting involved if you don't have the disposition or means to do it! BMX can be a spectator sport if you want it to be. If it helps you come back each week-then do it!
Let's go to the other end of the spectrum! The TO! TOin' is one of the most thankless jobs ever! They are usually approached when someone needs something or has a problem with someone else. They receive, with great joy a smiling face of someone who says "Bob, Darrin, Diana, Troy, Tiffany, Bev, Dave, Bridganna, Tana, and the rest of you superheroes- where do you want me to work tonight! Where can I help out!" They spend numerous hours maintaining the track, organizing stuff....and doing TO stuff! (see, I can't even speak intelligently about all they do!) They give the better half of their time doing BMX stuff for a minimal return. thank you for all you do- and best of luck- I hope this post sheds light on the many approaches to BMX racing people take.
Volunteers! Any one who has picked up a garden tool to help at a track. Anyone who has manned the finish line, the gate, registration, staging, trophies, and the many other tasks required to run a race.
I'm off to lunch, I'll finish later.....
JS
Over the years, I've had several conversations with Utah bmx riders and family members. This topic has come up so many times.
Is it enough to just pay your entry fee, race, and be done? Or, is there an expectation to do more to help out at the tracks; volunteer, rake, shovel, pull weeds, pick up trash, recruit new riders, hand out ribbons, stage racers, hose down the corners, treat wounds, work the gate, take pictures or video, fix bikes, sell product, sing the national anthem, and help out others in any way possible.......?
In my opinion- the answer is YES! AND NO!
It IS enough to get home from work, throw your bikes in the vehicle, and scurry to the track just in time for you to register your kid to race. They get a few laps in, you race and you throw the bikes back in the car and head home for a little rest before you work the rest of your life away. At least you spent some quality time with your kids having a good time. I was raised on a bmx track and the life lessons were invaluable! (this is a post for another time!-Life's lessons learned on a bmx track.)
This is the story of my Father. My parents are both hard working blue collar folks who found time out of their busy life to give me a BMX experience. That is all they had. Not much time was given to the track, or others, but we grew closer as a family and had many memories to talk about at Sunday dinner. We still throw a BMX story in around the table every now and then.
So there you have it! Stop feeling guilty about all you can't give and be glad you can participate in the Utah bmx community. Your role is important! No matter how small it may be! It's okay to sit up in the stands and watch the races without getting involved if you don't have the disposition or means to do it! BMX can be a spectator sport if you want it to be. If it helps you come back each week-then do it!
Let's go to the other end of the spectrum! The TO! TOin' is one of the most thankless jobs ever! They are usually approached when someone needs something or has a problem with someone else. They receive, with great joy a smiling face of someone who says "Bob, Darrin, Diana, Troy, Tiffany, Bev, Dave, Bridganna, Tana, and the rest of you superheroes- where do you want me to work tonight! Where can I help out!" They spend numerous hours maintaining the track, organizing stuff....and doing TO stuff! (see, I can't even speak intelligently about all they do!) They give the better half of their time doing BMX stuff for a minimal return. thank you for all you do- and best of luck- I hope this post sheds light on the many approaches to BMX racing people take.
Volunteers! Any one who has picked up a garden tool to help at a track. Anyone who has manned the finish line, the gate, registration, staging, trophies, and the many other tasks required to run a race.
I'm off to lunch, I'll finish later.....
JS
