‘Central Oregon is pretty good at BMX’: Racers from across country compete at USA BMX Great NW Nationals
(Update: Adding video, comments from racer, staff)
REDMOND, Ore. (KTVZ) -- Saturday was Day 2 of the USA BMX Great NorthWest Nationals in Redmond. Almost 1,000 racers and their families and friends made the trip to the Deschutes County Fairgrounds in Redmond for the three-day event.
Professional and amateur racers alike got to navigate twists, turns, and jumps along the track. People came from all over the US and internationally, from Florida to Canada to compete.
Bend resident and pro BMX racer Olivia Armstrong is no stranger to the BMX world. She has been racing since she was 5 years old, after following in her brother's footsteps.
"It's super-cool that we have a national event, like people from all over the country are here. And we have some really fast local riders that have been preparing for a long time," Armstrong said. "We have a track in Bend and Redmond, so we have a really good group of community that are out here and showing that Central Oregon is pretty good at BMX."
BMX Magazine and Social Media Manager Justin Wahl said, "We just love it here in Redmond -- great family atmosphere, but then also the local racers up here love having a chance to to race when it's still a little cold outside."
There are 11 USA BMX tracks in Oregon, including Bend and Redmond.
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Here is the news release about the event:
Hundreds of professional and amateur BMX riders from around the world will descend on Redmond this weekend, April 12-14, for the USA BMX Great NorthWest Nationals.
The three-day event will be held at the First Interstate Bank Center at 3800 SW Airport Way in Redmond, Oregon. Races begin at 1:30 p.m. Friday, 9 a.m. Saturday and 8 a.m. Sunday, with competitors racing well into the evening. Parking is $10 per day, and fans are welcome to watch and cheer on their favorite riders as they expertly navigate jumps, twists and turns along the track.
The USA BMX Great NorthWest Nationals has been a Central Oregon staple since 2008, and Director of Business Development at Visit Central Oregon, JoAnna Eisler, said they are excited to host the event for its 16th year.
“The USA BMX Great NorthWest Nationals event is a significant driver of hotel occupancy in our area during a typically slower tourism period. As a sponsor of this event, we've seen it attract thousands of visitors to the region, filling our hotels and supporting local businesses. This event, the people who participate as competitors and attendees are valuable to our community, and we're proud to be a partner to the Deschutes County Expo Center and USA BMX to bring this event to central Oregon this year and in the future,” Eisler said.
Spectators who can’t get enough of the heart-pumping action of the event can give their own wheels a spin at an open house event hosted at Smith Rock BMX on Monday, April 15, where first-timers can borrow a loaner BMX bike and helmet for $20 (or bring their own) and take a spin on the track to get a taste of what BMX riding is all about. The event is open to anyone who isn’t already a member of USA BMX.
WHAT
USA BMX Great NorthWest Nationals
WHEN
Friday - Sunday, April 12-14, 2024
Friday: Races begin at 1:30 p.m.
Saturday: Races begin at 9 a.m.
Sunday: Races begin at 8 a.m.
WHERE
First Interstate Bank Center
3800 SW Airport Way
Redmond, OR 97756
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WHAT
USA BMX Open House
WHEN
Monday, April 15, 2024
5:30-7:30 p.m.
WHERE
Smith Rock BMX
1935 NE Maple Ave.
Redmond, OR 97756
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“We’re so proud of the outstanding BMX community that our track operator at Smith Rock BMX has fostered,” said BA Anderson, CEO of USA BMX. “We’ve held numerous national racing events in Redmond, and we know it’s going to be a thrilling event.”
There are 11 sanctioned USA BMX tracks in Oregon for riders of all ages to get their start in BMX racing, including Smith Rock BMX (Redmond) and Bend BMX (Bend)
Many notable local riders from Smith Rock BMX will be competing at the USA BMX Great NorthWest Nationals this weekend, including national title holders 14-year-old Mallory Aldridge and 17-year-old Cyrus Russell, both competing at the expert level of their age classes.
About USA BMX
Established as the American Bicycle Association in 1977 and headquartered in Tulsa, Oklahoma, ABA is the nation’s largest cycling organization with more than 70,000 members with combined racing and freestyle events at more than 300 sanctioned BMX tracks across the United States and Canada. ABA empowers and elevates the early stages of bicycle development by creating opportunities through facility development, programs, and national events. As a result, ABA has developed a structured blueprint. A cyclist can progress from humble beginnings on a balance bike to becoming a BMX Olympian by establishing these roots.
Through STEAM, scholarships, freestyle amateur events, the national series, the Olympics and new facilities built across the United States, these four pillars under the USA BMX organization will impact young riders and families: USA BMX Foundation, USA BMX Freestyle, USA BMX Racing and ABA Ethos.
