Was 09' a good/bad year for you?

[bnd]

I'll start,
Heck ya it was!

The good.
- I raced almost every Saturday night out at D.P. for most of the summer & had a blast! I was able to actually string together 3 wins in one stretch & I had almost forgotten how good winning feels.
- I went on a great BMX roadie in the middle of summer to Minnesota & had a great time racing other tracks & old dudes.
- Getting the old fire lit up again seeing my wife get interested in the sport again & having the guys I race against really get me motivated, thanks!
- Seeing the No-Clips race explode like it did. Phone calls & promoting is all it takes to get an idea to take off.

The bad.
If anything "bad" happened, it was my retirement of my 20" in the expert class. I prefer 20" racing but my saddle time is very limited & after a few scary races to try to get it back, I took it apart & hung it up. My 20" membership just expired so I'm happy to leave that class where it's at. I had some success here & at nationals on that bike & that's good enough for me.

There's no racing for 2 more weeks so chime in & tell us your story.

b.

[BMX4Me]

Ummm Bruce...............what about Grady rockin' on the little bike! That is definitely good! For me too!

Pam

[McCauley]

09 was a Great year got back into a sport I enjoy .Was given advice by many riders in my classes and in general to make the ease back in a good move...The Crash in August only prepared me to focus and work harder More to come in 2010 riding for Eight Zero One good to be back on the bike..

McCauley

[mackdaddy]

09 sucked on and off the track!!!!! 2010 has got to be better!

[gwwaller]

Well.....as I sit here on the couch and look at the four inch long scar on my shoulder and realize I gotta go to bed because I have physical therapy in the morning.........it was still an awesome year! Yes I finished the year by blowing up my shoulder, but this year I got to race with COGS!!!! And my son and I were part of a great team too!!!!

What an amazing group of competitors and friends! We moved here from Texas a year and a half ago and our Utah BMX family is the only family we have here. If I never race again (which I doubt) I wouldn't trade the time we have had with all of you guys. If anybody here ever needs anything from the "Waller Boys"...we're an email or phone call away!

Thanks to everybody and happy holidays,
Wayne

[joker75]

I'll start off with an emphatical BOTH.

I started racing in February because I figured if my 10 year old son and 7 year old daughter can do it then i can too. Sounds logical, but didn't end up that way. I got my first and only win on my third race in February. After that I wrecked during practice just before the first race at the outdoor track. I broke my collar bone, broke a rib, and punctured my left lung. I spent a week in the ICU at Jordan Valley with a chest tube, so my lung could heal and re-inflate.

After recovering I crashed again at the last race at DP and broke a couple of ribs. Thanks Steve. Just kidding.

My son crashed in practice the week before State finals and lacerated something in his bowels. The little turd still raced the next day. (We didn't find out about the laceration until after he raced. I try not to be that bad of a parent.) That should cover the bad.

The good. I have had the opportunity to meet a lot of great people who would do anything for me and my family, simply because we are part of the utah BMX family. My son raced his first Nationals GSL and Mile High and did very well at both. He got his first National 1st place in 10 Inter. on Saturday at Mile High.

I had the opportunity to have a lot of fun with my kids and with all of my new friends racing at Rad Canyon and Deseret Peak.

My daughter is having a blast, and has even made a few new friends.

[joeynsophia]

09 was a great year for us. Both Kids reached there goal of winning State and District. It was wonderful to see them work hard to achieve them. ( I know Mike K and Ian think we are horrible parents for not going to the grands ), but we had a blast this year. The time spent with all the wonderful people in the Utah BMX family is something we do not take for granted.

Thanks to Ron, Mont, Tracy, Ian and Heather and ALL the volunteers for making this possible for our kids.

Steve

[Jackie]

I only dwell on the good. I can not tell you how awesome we have it here in the Utah BMX world. We have the best tracks, facilities and most important the best riders in the country. I do not mean the fastest or most skilled but the BEST people in the BMX world. Were else are people holding World Championship foot down and bunny hop competitions that are followed up with a S'more fest. I have never met a more open minded caring group of people in any other organization.

COG's you guys are the best and the highlight of the week when we get to bang bars throw bows and then laugh about it at the finish line. I hope we all continue to think how can we keep this momentum rolling and support our sport.

Track Operator's , track builders, registration ladies, track Maintenance, marketing, track mister installer, snack shack, Performance Bike Parts...... and all other local Bike shops, Parents, Me and my family salute you for making 2009 an amazing year!!

[JAlvey]

'09 was a great year for us. The kids had set out to earn a district #1 plate and make a few National mains. My goal was to overcome two "career ending" injuries in '08 and get back to at least respectable speed. Our highlights for the year:

Both kids won state championships and district #1 plates (thanks Hayden)
Both kids made National Mains in expert classes, with Brighton taking 2nd in GJ and Ethan winning SLC (thanks Bucardo)
Heather Allred World Champion!
No clips racing at DP (thanks Bruce)
Seeing kids that I train win MTB national championships, state championships, UCI top tens, BMX NAG plates, and BMX National wins.
Having the bro and sister in law move back to SLC
Finding a ton of new and old freinds out at the track.

[ogr13]

I'm with Jackie, no sense talking about the negative.
A Great year racing with my friends & family!!
No major injuries to myself or either of the kids.
Got faster at Rad Canyon outdoor, always had a blast (and learned how to jump) at D.P., and I absolutely love the different track design every other weekend at Rad canyon indoor (Big thanks to Mr. Steve Spencer )
Started COG Gear with Brent Barton this year too!! We will be expanding in 2010!
Can't wait to see what 2010 brings but I know a few things for certain, I will have a blast hanging with my friends & family, my kids will continue to go faster and I will be racing with the coolest Crazy Old Guys on the planet!!
Thanks to everybody who works so hard to make it all possible

[Extreme Team Coach]

TOTALLY GOOD YEAR !!!!!!!!!!!
I'd have to say our best year yet ! watching hard work and goal setting pay off on sooooo many kids that I've worked with and or friends with ! First I have to take my hat off to my team WOW what a year local and nationals. I just really can't say enough about how well they have done and what a good year they all have had ! And nationally WOW we won like 15 nationals from west coast to east coast and even a couple wins in Canada. And bringing the Disney cup home from Fl. as a team. Jack, Danny and Alex taken home cups of their own as well. So many people worked so hard and did so well this year. And last but not least My boys titles go as such for the year they brought home STATE #1, DISTRICT #1, REDLINE #1 and NAG PLATES ! WOW I don't want to sound like I'm freaking out but I AM!!! Personally I'd have to say that 2009 has been the best year in BMX that I have been involved in! I am one proud papa and coach!!! THANKS to everyone who made this possible for us!!!!

Also don't want to leave anyone out but I really want to give a shout out to a couple people who I believe has had an excellent year;
Heather Allred NAG 1, Worlds 1, it's hard to beat a year like that; Taylor Taul who is one of the most improved riders this year, and Chantz Silver another one of the most improved riders this year! Last but not least is my son Hayden who has had the best year of his career so far!

Once again I want to thank everyone who has made this possible from our track directors, to our volunteers, our team sponsors, my hard working team, kids, and the ABA who I believe has the best programs in BMX.

Coach Wayne

[JBERG]

2009 has been an amazing year for us also. It is crazy to think that Alex started racing less than 2 years ago....I have to thank all of the great friends we have made. We traveled to 7 national races, the most exciting would have to be the Florida race where Alex walked (or rode) away with the Disney cup in the 11 year old group. Thanks to everyone that went to that race, I traveled down without my husband and was worried about feeling lost and alone. It was just the opposite, not only did we hang together at the track we were able to meet up at the pool, go to some of the attractions and meet up for dinner. The grands were awesome, (other than losing my camera) I was so proud of Alex for making it to the main event and taking 5th for his class and he made it through quarters to the semis for the ROC (42 riders). We have had an injury free year and hope for the same in 2010. I even think my daughter Kayla is going to start racing, should be another great year.

Thanks again to the BMX family for all of your support, friendship, laughs....(and drinks for those that went to Wyoming in Nov).
Heather and Ian, thank you for all that you have done for us, you are always so great to work with on parts and service. We are spoiled to have you there at every race.
Wayne and Cheri Brown, thank you for taking Alex under your wings
Brooke Tanner thanks for Team Heavy Pedal, it was fun while it lasted
Ron, Jason, Mont......and tons of others, thanks for making the races great for all of our kids
Kelli

[INTOOSUNS]

Kay.... I'll start with 2 bad things that came about in 2009.......because usually there comes good......
1st, we had just gotten back from the Silver Dollar National, Reno, NV heading to pick up our monster dog from the kennel, when Micheal gets a call stating he was getting laid off with a few other electricians .....what a way to start of the New Year....

2nd, during Sundays' Salt Lake National, Justin had been loosing to a girl all weekend long. The stagers had the wrong person in Justin's gate (thinking it was him and not checking the number plate) and was gonna run it with him in it. I had to yell at the lady. Finally the kid got out of the gate and Justin went into the gate for the main. Leading 1st down the first and second straight, with the girl trailing in second, Justin goes down RIGHT before the third turn in the rhythm section. I couldn't see what was going on because I was headed down from the staging area. Hearing the announcer saying "Justin Ervin just went down", my heart dropped. Once he rolled over, I knew he had broken (fractured) the Left Arm and possibly the Right. Once we had taken him to Jordan Valley, the Xrays showed both arms were indeed broken......Justin would have turned Intermediate at that race, if he didn't crash.

Now with the good........
1st, with ALL the UtahBMX family, gave us support and hope while Micheal was on the unemployment wagon. Families offering if there is ANYTHING they could do for us. Asking him and announcing during motos that, not just for Micheal but others were actively looking for jobs because of lay offs. We had someone donate money for ALL 4 OF US to race one weekend. I believe this was a double, triple point weekend AND to pay for Micheal and I's clinic on Saturday. In return, we were asked to return the favor to someone else. Which we did. Without the generosity of UtahBMX family we couldn't afford to race with all of you guys during this time........

2nd, James Kirklow turned 15 Expert in August.

3rd, seeing the Girl Cruiser (25-41+) class blossom. I think when I started racing in Feb 2008, there was only maybe 5-6 of us. Now, if we could get ALL the Girl Cruisers racing at the same time,it would be a blast. We would have a full gate, if not 2 motos.

4th, starting the new Eight Zero One line and team for 2010..... a lot of hard work on Micheal's part....

Lastly, without all the support of the Ron and Nancy, Tracy, Heather, Caren, Barbara, Susan, Darrin, Darrin's wife (?), Heather and Ian, Coach Brown, AND all the volunteers (people building the track, tearing down, registration, finish line and staging) helping run BOTH Rad Canyon AND Deseret Peak. Without ALL these people we wouldn't have anywhere to race, to socialize, to gather, to have fun and MOST IMPORTANT to make ever lasting friendships with one another.

So........ on that note, "Happy Holidays, Merry Christmas, Happy Hanukkah, and Kwanzaa" from my family to yours. Hope you have a wonderful next year!!!

Maligayang Pasko (that's Merry Christmas in Tagalog-Filippino)
The Ervin Family

[Alex-Gren]

'09 season was pretty good.
I didn't race much in the summer unless it was a bigger race, due too my massive skatepark addiction, but I love every single minute of the races that I attend.
My freestyle skills have had a huge jump in progress since '08 and also lots of my racing skills.
I think the indoor season this year is the funnest season we've had.
2010 will be even more fun than this last year and I'm super stoked.
New year, new bikes, new skills. Stoked! (:

[stiles391]

I would have to say this has been the best thing for my entire family in 2009. We all love the great BMX family we have gotten to meet throuout the outdoor and indoor season. It has gotten me bitten enough to begin riding myself which I did the last indoor and can't wait for new years day to ride my new bike, and go out and compete for a full season. My daughter I feel was fantastic getting to 911 points as an 8 year old novice starting only the week before the SLC grands. We are all looking foward the 2010 season and thank everyone at the track for their emense support. I have coached her basketball, baseball and soccer, and never have I, we been around a better group of people. We have a very lucky opportunity here in utah with such competitive racing. Congradulations to all the NAG riders in our state and have a great 2010. See you all out there!! Go Cornhuskers!!!!!!!!!